Monday 16th May 2005 @ Ravenscraig Stadium
Greenock Juniors 3-3 Yoker Athletic
League Match
Mcintyre grabbed a double
Greenock played faced Yoker Ath for the 5th time this season. The previous 4 games all ended in draws with the only way of separating the teams being a penalty shoot out won by Greenock in the West Cup. Greenock were still in search of points to climb clear of the relegation area and went into the game on a run of 4 matches unbeaten while there opponents are very much still in the promotion hunt. Greenock started the game well with Lappin controlling the midfield area and Greenock pressed for the opener. That arrived around 15 minutes in when Greenock were awarded a Free kick 22 yards from goal. Andy Monaghan took up the responsibility and finished ephatically into the top left hand corner of Yoker keeper Sean Graham's goal. Going behind early so early spurred Yoker on and they started to threaten Kenny Meechan's goal. Bryan Boal in the Yoker attack was proving hard to tie down while Ferguson was using his considerable experience. The equaliser for Yoker arrived from one of many corner kicks won in the first half. The ball was swung into the edge of the 6 yard box where it was powerfully met by the Yoker number 4 giving Meechan no chance in the Greenock goal. Yoker were not content with that and continued to press an uncomfortable looking Greenock rearguard. The pressure paid off when dimutive striker Boal picked the ball up near the half way line and managed to skip past 3 challenges before toe poking his effort beyond the onrushing Meechan to the delight of the Yoker contingent. for the last ten minutes of the half Greenock pushed to try and level things before the break but were unable to put any real pressure on Graham in the Yoker goal.
Half-time 1 - 2
Greenock came out of the blocks like an express train in the 2nd half with Graham Black and Alan Mcintyre proving to be the gems in the Greenock side. Within a minute of the restart Greenock were back on level terms when Black won a free kick out on the right. Gus gault swung the free kick into the area where it was flicked on by John Paul Dow to Alan McIntyre on the 6 yard line and he finshed it off via the crossbar. Greenock had the visitors pinned back and Graham Black was causing tham all sorts of problems down the right and it was from that area of the park Greenock regained the lead. Black held off his marker and swung in a tremendous cross which once again found McIntyre. His left footed effort qas squeezed under Keeper Graham who will feel he really should have held this one, but Greenock celebrated. Greenock were looking the more likely to increase their lead with Black looking like he would be the likely provider. He almost got his own name on the scoresheet when he was released on the right. he cut and had a go at goal but only managed to find the side netting. Yoker still always looking dangerous and the Greenock defence struggling to deal with the aerial presence of Ferguson. With 20 minutes remaining Pat Mcilvogue gave away a needless free kick out on the right touchline and it was from here Yoker found there equaliser. Teh ball was swung to the back post where Greenock failed to clear. A yoker player was first to react and struck goalwards only to see Meechan parry but the rebound was knocked home to square things. With 20 minites left it looked like this game could go either way. Ferguson had 2 efforts just off target for Yoker, but as with the previous 4 meetings of these teams the score remained all square. Greenock now move onto another massive match when the welcome fellow relegation strugglers Rutherglen to Ravenscraig on Wednesday night .
Full-time 3 - 3
Teamlines:
Greenock Juniors: Meechan, McAllister, Mcilvogue, Docherty, Gault, Robertson, Power, Lappin, Monaghan(McIntyre 30), Dow(Trialist 80), Black
Yoker: ??
Goals: Greenock Juniors: Monaghan 14 mins ,Mcintyre 46,50 mins
Yoker: Boal, ? , ?
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