ANOTHER Saturday and another missed opportunity for Campbeltown Boys to claim a much-needed three points in the SAFL Premier Division Two.
Once again the Boys dominated for much of the 90 minutes but were undone by some slack defending when they travelled to the south side of Glasgow to take on Glencastle Sparta.
They got off to a poor start with some disjointed play allowing their hosts to take the early initiative and Sparta took advantage of the Whisky Macs sponsored Boys’ uncertainty to race into a two goal lead.
Both goals were preventable but the Boys did show good character to come back into the match as the half wore on.
Tommy Finn and Alastair McConnachie had both come close with headers - Finn heading over the bar and McConnachie having an effort cleared off the line - before the Boys did pull a goal back.
John McCallum’s excellent driving midfield play unsettled the Sparta rearguard and the youngster slipped a fine ball inside the right back for McConnachie, who kept his composure to slide a cross into the six yard box for the on-rushing Andrew Henderson to side foot home.
Half time arrived with the Boys well on top and confident of taking something from the game. They continued to enjoy the best of the play in the second period but the well-organised Sparta defence was keeping the Boys at bay.
McConnachie had another header which he couldn’t keep under the crossbar, while Finn again came close with a powerful long-range drive.
Both sides knew that the next goal would be crucial and it was the home side who claimed it. A long punt from the goalkeeper carried into the Boys penalty area.
The Sparta number six was first to the ball and slid a cool finish across Scott MacBrayne into the bottom corner of the net.
As the Boys pushed an extra man forward in an effort to get back into the game Sparta claimed a fourth goal on the counter attack to finish the game as a contest. There was one further goal to add to the tally in the closing stages.
Derek McCormick blasting home for the Boys from close range after Ranald Watson’s driven corner was cleared off the Sparta goal-line.
The final score was Glencaste Sparta 4 Campbeltown Boys 2.
The Boys have no game tomorrow (Saturday) due to the Scotland v Italy game at Hampden.
When they return to action next week the players will need to realise that it is crucial that they take advantage when they are on top in games in order to pick up points and climb the table.
