ROSE SHOW THEIR THORNS IN SIX-GOAL THRILLER

Conference League — Matchday 3

Burnhill FC welcomed Greater Croftpark Rose to Glasgow Green on a bright and sunny Saturday morning, with both sides looking to build on their opening fixtures.

Burnhill arrived on the back of an impressive 3–0 victory over JSCC on Wednesday, while GCR themselves were looking to turn their 2–2 draw with DTI AFC into their first win of the season.

With the sun shining and conditions perfect for football, GCR couldn’t have asked for a better morning to get their Conference League campaign moving.

MATCH REPORT

It was a cagey opening from both sides, with the two formations appearing evenly matched in the early stages.

GCR gradually began to take control of the game, and their pressure soon paid off.

Ben Mitchell produced a good ball through to Scott Fleming, who made no mistake with a great finish from the midfielder to put GCR ahead. GCR 1–0 Burnhill.

Hopefully, there is plenty more of that to come from Scott Fleming.

Burnhill had a great opportunity to level the game after a slip from Purdy, but Podge stood tall and produced an excellent one-on-one save to keep GCR in front.

At the other end, Halligan and McCafferty were causing the Burnhill defence major problems with their direct running and willingness to attack.

Burnhill came close again when a corner was headed on towards goal, only for the effort to come back off the crossbar.

GCR were beginning to dominate once again, with Sneddon and Mala particularly influential in the middle of the park.

That said, Burnhill were by no means passengers. They continued to compete strongly and were putting themselves about, making sure GCR had to work for every opportunity.

GCR then produced another excellent attacking move. James McEnhill played a great ball to Halligan, but his effort was well saved by the Burnhill keeper.

The combination between McEnhill and Halligan was starting to work a treat — and it wasn’t long before they combined again.

A superb ball over the top from James found Sean Halligan, who took a great touch around the keeper before calmly slotting the ball home. GCR 2–0 Burnhill.

Halligan was causing all sorts of problems, and this time his ball through to McEnhill was perfect. The flying full-back got forward and forced the Burnhill keeper into another top save.

But just when GCR looked comfortable, they switched off in the stroke of half-time.

A long throw into the box caused problems and Burnhill were able to head the ball into the net, leaving GCR stunned. GCR 2–1 Burnhill.

HALF-TIME: GCR 2–1 Burnhill

The GCR management team of Burns, Sinclair and Kennedy made it clear in no uncertain terms that the game was far from over.

The message was simple — go back out and make sure GCR scored the next goal. Unfortunately for GCR, the next goal went the other way.

A ball in behind wasn’t dealt with and the Burnhill attacker produced a quite sensational finish to level the game. GCR 2–2 Burnhill.

Burnhill were then dealt a blow when one of their midfielders went down with what looked like a muscle injury and had to be replaced, forcing them to shuffle the pack.

GCR responded positively and regained the lead. A cross was inadvertently headed towards the Burnhill goal by one of their defenders and the keeper produced a top stop to keep the ball out.

Unfortunately for him, there was a fox in the box waiting for the rebound. McCafferty was on hand to slam the loose ball into the back of the net. GCR 3–2 Burnhill.

The away side almost extended their advantage when flying full-back Ross Campbell won a corner. Captain Ben Mitchell tried something cheeky, attempting to score directly from the corner, but his effort smacked off the crossbar.

The goal GCR were looking for eventually arrived. Substitute Myky played a lovely pass to release Halligan, who made no mistake this time, beating the keeper with a composed finish. GCR 4–2 Burnhill.

GCR then introduced Milne, McCulloch and Mitchell to the party as the management team looked to keep the momentum going.

McCulloch almost made an incredible introduction when he attempted a spectacular overhead kick, but his effort finished just over the crossbar.

At the back, the defensive combination of Smith and Purdy was proving rock solid for GCR.

As the game entered its closing stages, it was increasingly one-way traffic.

Stevie Mitchell made a run in behind and fired a shot just past the post.

McCulloch was impressing after coming on, and another mazy run — following a delicious pass from Milne — forced the Burnhill keeper into yet another top save.

Burnhill did have a couple of long-range efforts at goal, but nothing that troubled Patterson too much.

Scott Fleming then found time to release Stevie Mitchell once again, but the experienced striker was again denied as the Burnhill keeper produced another fine save.

The substitutes combined again as Stevie Mitchell flicked the ball into the path of Ubyivovk, who rounded the keeper. Unfortunately for him, the ball bobbled at the crucial moment and his effort finished over the bar.

That proved to be the final action of the game.