McLaughlin seals victory for Minerva with late strike

Campsie Minerva 3

Colville Park 2

PREMIER DIVISION

Colville Park have a formidable reputation and are rightly regarded as one of the top amateur teams in Scotland.

It was Minerva who were to open the scoring with only two minutes on the clock and they couldn’t have asked for a better start.

Almost from kick off a cute pass saw McKenna scamper down the right to deliver a good cross into the box, cue the on rushing Tullis who struck the ball home.

Colville settled after this bad start and had Minerva of the back foot on numerous occasions.

It really came as no surprise when they equalised on the quarter hour mark when Mulvey headed home from a corner.

The loss of this goal somehow spurred Minerva on and they began to see more of the ball with Lightbody and Kemmitt putting in a good shift in midfield.

Both these players came close with half chances as Minerva took the game to Colville.

The Minerva defence were also playing their part, Morton and McGregor were rolling back the years while Hutton and Graham were supplying the enthusiasm of youth.

Half-time came and went with both sides creating chances but it was Colville who were to get their noses in front with 75 minutes played. A clever passing move allowed a forward to drill a shot past a helpless Tait.

Minerva went for broke after this substitutes McKie, McLaughlin and Cassidy were all introduced in stages to add weight to the attack.

This brave move saw chances created but none converted, until the 82nd minute that is.

A cross into the box found its way to Kimmett lurking at the back post and he slotted home a simple tap.

Minerva would probably have been happy with the draw at this stage but kept attacking at every opportunity and so did Colville Park.

There was 93 minutes on the clock when a long ball out of defence sent McLaughlin scampering towards goal with the ball at his feet - Colville had strong claims for offside but the striker wasn’t hanging about as he struck a sweet shot past the keeper.

Just 30 seconds later the ref blew for time up, Colville were irate, Minerva delighted.

Minerva: Tait, Hutton, Graham, Morton, McGregor, Lightbody, Robertson, Kimmett, Tullis, McKenna, Smart. Subs: McLaughlin, Fleming, Cassidy, McKie, Penman.