Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Slim victory keeps Port in title hunt

Thursday, 16th October, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 13th May, 2008 12:00

Slim victory keeps Port in title hunt

By Gary Pews

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PORT GLASGOW 1 ST ROCH'S 0

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AN ENTERPRISING beauty therapist could have made a fortune at Ravenscraig last night.

The nails of the Port Glasgow fans and officials were bitten through to the core until the welcome sound of referee Alan Mulvanny’s final whistle brought relief all round.

Brian Heron’s men tore into their opponents from the off. Andy Monaghan had a chance for an early goal but shot wide with only the keeper to beat. The opener did come on 24 minutes, as Alan McIntyre mis-hit a cross and the ball fell kindly for Jim Brown to shoot home. Just six minutes later the goal hero was injured and replaced by James Best, and the first half ended 1-0.

As Port Glasgow pushed for a second to settle the nerves, Joe Beckley, who got the all-important winner at Larkhall on Saturday, saw a magnificent left-foot drive from outside the box hit the underside of the bar and rebound to safety.

As the killer goal proved elusive, there were anxious moments at the other end. The visitor’s centre forward John Borris could, and probably should, have levelled the scores in 70 minutes but shot over the bar. With the clock running down, Port sub Kevin McKay had a chance from point-blank range, but was denied by a reflex stop from St Roch’s keeper Stefan McCurley.

The celebrations at the final whistle were more of relief than triumph, for nothing has been won yet, not even promotion, as this highly competitive league reaches its climax at the weekend. A win against Dunipace would see the Port go up as champions.

Manager Brian Heron admitted that it had been a tense match, but is pleased that his team can now concentrate on Saturday. He said: “That wasn’t good for the heart. No disprespect to St Roch’s but it should have been a lot more than 1-0. There was a big element of tiredness out there tonight. We have had five games in 10 days and that takes its toll. It has been a big week but we have come out of it with flying colours.”

So heart surgeons can now be added to the nail therapists to report for duty at Ravenscraig for the Port’s final league match on Saturday.

Port Glasgow: Graham, A. Banks, Coyle, Walton, S. Banks, Beckley, Jack, Flynn, Monaghan, Brown (Best 30), McIntyre. Subs not used: Temporal, Taylor.

Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by Renfrewshire Electronics and the Senit Group. Kit sponsored by Swordfish Signs and Remax Gourock.

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