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Campbeltown Pupils before the match against Shawlands in May. To buy: c23pup01 |
A FINE team performance during Saturday’s match saw the Pupils return to the top division.
They opened up a square Dunoon defence almost at will during the match with only poor finishing and last ditch defending keeping the score down.
After a series of missed chances, a through ball sent Gary Grumoli free behind the defensive line, the striker easily bypassing the unprotected home goalkeeper to dispatch the ball into an empty net.
Dunoon made sure that the game was competitive by dragging themselves back into contention with dogged determination. The home side’s number seven was a class act in the middle of the park, his probing passes eventually setting-up the equaliser with minutes of the first half remaining. Although slightly against the run of play, a one-two on the edge of the box split the Pupils defence for the forward to fire past the advancing Colville to level the scores.
The game produced a similar pattern in the second half, with the Pupils looking more likely to score, but Dunoon were more than capable of producing a killer blow to end the Kintyre team’s promotion hopes. With 20 minutes remaining a break down the right flank by Paul McWhirter produced the all important second goal. Unlucky in front of goal throughout the game, the striker’s tireless running eventually produced a telling contribution. His cross from the right found co-striker Gary Grumoli racing into the box, the Pupils goal hero finding the net for the second time in the match with a powerful into the roof of the net.
The winning goal was just reward for an unselfish performance by the two front runners, who gave their all on a day of blistering heat. Craig Colville was called into action in the closing minutes when he saved brilliantly with a one-handed stop at his right hand post.
It is unfair to single out individuals, but a tremendous workman like performance by Paul Grumoli was the highlight of the game. His two brothers, Gary with two crucial goals and Sean in the heart of defence, were also prominent in the fine win.
