Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Agony of defeat

Tuesday, 14th October, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 27th May, 2008 12:00

Agony of defeat

By Gary Pews

Print Article

PORT GLASGOW 2 ARTHURLIE 4

Image related to story, see caption or article text

Brave fight: Port captain Paul Coyle's follows up his missed penalty to score, but it wasn't enough to hold off Premier Division Arthurlie.

Pic by: Douglas Hendry

PORT Glasgow’s quest for Central League Cup glory was halted at the quarter-final stage at Ravenscraig last night.

The home team battled hard to match their illustrious opponents, but went into the game without Scott Nugent, Alan McIntyre, James Best and Stephen Flynn, and effectively with just one fit player on the bench.

After an early opening period dominated by midfield exchanges, on 20 minutes Arthurlie took the lead through a John Johnstone shot from outside the box. However, the Port equalised just seven minutes later, Andy Monaghan brought to the ground as he bore down on goal and referee Des Roache awarded a penalty. Paul Coyle’s spot-kick was saved, but the captain followed up to scramble home the rebound.

Arthurlie then applied sustained pressure and the Port rearguard cracked twice before the interval. Craig Malcolm put the Barrhead club ahead again with a shot from six yards out, and an uncharacteristic blunder from Port keeper Sean Graham gifted the third. The goalie’s attempted punch clear rebounded agonisingly off the head of Gary McPhee and into the empty net.

When Sean Winter netted Arthurlie’s fourth in 64 minutes it was game over. To their credit, though, Port continued to battle bravely, and were rewarded with a second goal seven minutes from time. A cross from substitute Gary Stewart found Eddie Walton unmarked at the back post, and the defender slammed the ball home.

There were some other near things as the local team rallied but Arthurlie held on for a comfortable victory.

Port Glasgow’s stand-in boss David Hopkin wasn’t too disappointed, and felt in the circumstances his team had done well. He said: “I thought we matched Arthurlie for most of the game and it was just some defensive lapses that cost us dearly.

“We really suffered by having such a depleted squad and although I hate losing, I was pleased with the effort of the lads tonight. Most of them were dead on their feet after so many games recently but they gave their all.”

After the match, the Port were officially presented with the Central League First Division trophy. Port now have one more chance to add to this season’s silverware when they compete in the Cup-Winners Cup. The details of their first game in that tournament have still to be confirmed.

Port Glasgow: Graham, A. Banks, Coyle, Walton, S. Banks, McEwan, Taylor (Stewart 70), Jack, Brown, Beckley, Monaghan. Subs not used: McIntyre, Walker

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

Social Bookmarking What are these?