GREENOCK JUNIORS booked their place in the next round of the South Region Challenge Cup with a 3-1 win over Glenvale in a thrilling cup tie that produced a game of two halves.

Despite putting in a wayward first half performance, 'Nock almost scored within 25 seconds when Jamie Black's cross was headed wide by Tai Beckley.

That was not, however, a portion of things to come as the game settled into a similar pattern of the Nock’s previous match against Irvine Victoria.

Whilst being the better side, there was too much anxious, sloppy passing and lazy decision making from the the home side. 

That said, they did create some half chances. In the 17th-minute a long raking cross-field pass by Sinnamon found Cunningham, allowing the wing back to get round the back of Glenvale defence. He squeezed the ball to Beckley, who slipped as he shot on goal.

Despite their threat going forward, it would be the visitors who opened the scoring on the half hour mark. Greenock lost the ball in midfield and Meredith played a defence splitting pass to Daly, who unselfishly passed back to Sam Esplin to slide in to an empty net.

Greenock, to their credit, came very close to hitting back within a minute. Paterson combined with McKenzie to create a shooting opportunity for Cammy Barclay. Unfortunately the ball took took a bobble and the midfielder's shot ended up drifting past the post.

The equaliser came in first half stoppage time and it was well worth the wait. McKenzie was upended just outside the box, earning the Glenvale defender a booking.

After some consultation amongst the players Greenock unveiled what was clearly a training ground move which put Beckley one on one with the keeper. The striker administered the coup de grace and the teams went in level at half time.

While the management team would have been delighted with the execution of the free kick, they were not entirely enamoured with the first half performance, as Gary Fleming unusually make two half time substitutions to freshen the team up.

The reward came in the 57th minute when Sinnamon's cross to the back post was met by Cunningham whose header bounced into keeper Kerr’s hands.

Kerr, who drifted outside the left hand side of his six-yard box, threw the ball directly to Ross Canavan, one of the Nock's half-time substitutes, and from 22 metres the midfielder deftly controlled the ball and fired into the net with the keeper stranded. It was an excellent piece of awareness and execution.

'Nock would get their third with 76 minutes gone after Barclay, who was as industrious as ever, picked up the ball in the midfield and on hitting that 22 metre spot unleashed an vicious swerving shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

For Greenock it was a satisfactory win; in the end achieved without playing at their best. The composure and smooth passing through the lines that was evident in pre-season and early season matches has been missing in the last couple of games.

Thorniewood United at Ravenscraig will be second round opponents for The Nock on Saturday September 14. Next Saturday the team will be looking to maintain the winning run in WOSFL 3 when travelling to Girvan FC..

Coach Andrew Hannah summarised up the coaching teams view of the game, adding: “What can I say. The phrase a game of two halves sums our view up perfectly. 

"The boys’ weren’t at their best in the first half, but a well worked set piece took us in level at half time.

"The coaching staff re-iterated to the squad how important everyone will be this year and today that paid dividends.

"We spoke about making changes to the starting 11 to freshen things up, however having won the last two matches we opted to go with the same opening line up.

"The boys got a bit of a talking to at half time and we made a couple of subs before the start of the second half.

"We came out flying and dominated the second half. The team are showing that they have a winning mentality."

Greenock are sponsored by Saveheat, Keystore Cowal View, Safer Group, The Lighthouse Bar, McGills, ARC and Blairs.