Port still on for a great escape

0 - 0 • Published 3 Jun 2009 14:00

PORT GLASGOW 3 CLYDEBANK 0

PORT Glasgow"s own version of The Great Escape is still on.

An excellent performance last night against Scottish Cup runners-up Clydebank keeps the Port"s chances of avoiding relegation very much alive.

Now, though, in the run-up to Saturday"s match between Annbank and Renfrew, the Port will be sweating.

While an Annbank defeat would keep the Port up on goal difference, if the Ayrshire side take anything from the game, the Ravenscraig men would drop back into the Central League First Division.

Last night"s display was all the more impressive, considering the Bankies fielded almost exactly the same line-up which lost narrowly to Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup final at Rugby Park 48 hours earlier.

They also needed the points in a bid to snatch the third-place promotion play-off spot.

After a cagey start in front of a healthy crowd of around 400, Port Glasgow took the lead after 14 minutes. Kevin Struthers picked up a through ball, got the better of a Bankies defender, and steered a low drive past Stefan Gonet.

The Port were now in the ascendancy, playing free-flowing football, and Gary Devlin should have doubled their lead in 29 minutes, but mishit his shot from close range, and there was no further scoring in the first half.

With the Bankies fans growing increasingly restless, it was clear the next goal would be crucial. After the in-form Steven Kidd had pulled off a couple of great saves to keep the Port ahead, Scott Nugent doubled their advantage in 75 minutes with a breakaway goal from midfield.

Nugent was policed by two Bankies defenders as he ran in on goal, but a great 60-yard decoy run by Paul Coyle created the distraction needed to give him the space to slam home from outside the box.

And after another magnificent one-handed stop from Kidd near the end, Nugent made it three with an equally impressive strike in stoppage time.

A pinpoint 40-yard diagonal pass by Tam Jamieson saw Nugent facing the outrushing Gonet, but a deft lob over the keeper found the net and sent the Port fans wild as the final whistle sounded just seconds later.

A delighted Port boss Craig Brown said: 'Our game plan of drawing teams in then hitting them on the break worked well. Nugent"s two goals were excellent, but praise is also due to Kevin Struthers, whose movement creates the space for him.

'But there were other great performances from Andy Banks, who was solid in defence and Ross Walker, who controlled the midfield.

'The team"s effort and commitment was first class, and I would feel really sorry for them if they were relegated with 32 points, which is only a couple of points away from mid-table.

'I am not sure if I will go down to Annbank on Saturday, but I know a few of the boys who play for Renfrew and they will be doing their very best to get a result for us.'

PORT GLASGOW: Kidd, Trialist, Coyle, A. Banks, Walton (Beckley 73), Jack, Devlin, Walker, Nugent, Struthers, Jamieson. Subs not used: S. Banks, Loughran.

 Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by WJ. Strips sponsored by Swordfish Signs and Re-Max Ltd.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 03 Jun 09

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