GOTB's Southside contingent were buzzing today, as an away game at Toryglen was a convenient stroll away, as opposed to the usual journey over to fortress Firhill in Glasgow's trendy West End. The away side were further buoyed by the return of prodigal Son, Gary Lunn (who knew that would rhyme?) to the starting 11 for the first time since the club legend's semi-retirement due to his injured toe.
Today the 'Baw were taking on league leaders, AC Kelvingrove, aiming to go level on points with the home side, and put the previous week's disappointing result against Firwood behind them.
GOTB started with a contained press, aimed at shutting down Kelvingrove's usual passing game which has brought them so much success over the past couple of seasons in the GCCL. However, it was a smart run in behind by Scott Conlon which opened the scoring, being found well by Ally McCulloch, and finished past the keeper from 12 yards to put the away side ahead.
Shortly after, it was 2-0 GOTB; Ally McCulloch this time grabbing himself a goal after being found by the energetic Samuel Kerr, and firing home over the top of the keeper from 25 yards. It is worth noting at this point that the AC keeper was an outfielder doing the job that nobody wants to do (fair play to him for standing in), however most keepers would have struggled to keep out the first two goals scored by GOTB today.
Daniel Marshall drew a free kick when making a run wide right, and from the resulting set piece, it was 3-0 on the half hour mark with Scott Conlon claiming his 2nd of the afternoon, curling it over the wall and into the bottom corner. Jason Rashed was making smart runs up right hand side, and Cal Maclean was fairly making his presence known, to the point where he had to be substituted, drawing blood after winning his 50000th header of the day.
However, on 35 mins, GOTB failed to clear a corner and Kelvingrove capitalised to take the gloss off of the away side's first half performance, with the AC player finishing well from 6 yards.
With the score at 3-1, AC had their tails up, and found themselves 1 v 1 with Andrew McNee, who again proved his worth by pulling off a ridiculous saved low to his left, and kept the advantage to two goals at the break just as the referee blew for the interval.
HT: 1 - 3
After the half time whistle, Kelvingrove brought on a big striker and changed their shape to go more direct, which resulted in a few chances falling the way of the home side, however Andrew McNee was in inspired form, keeping out a few efforts with GOTB pressed back on the edge of their own 18 yard line for a 20 minute spell after the break.
Kelly was perhaps unfortunate not to have put GOTB 4-1 up, with his goal being ruled out for offside, however with Kelvingrove pushing so high, Daryl Rankin found Cal Maclean with a measured ball over the top (Sunday league punt), and the winger crossed for Sean Summers to notch his first since returning to the club this season, heading home at the far post to make it 4-1 the 'Baw.
With the clock winding down, a fifth was scored with Daryl Rankin going out to take an in-swinging corner, scoring direct to notch his 7th of the season to put the game beyond Kelvingrove.
With 5 mins remaining, the referee gave Kelvingrove penalty for some reason which the AC striker despatched well into the top corner to make it 5-2, and that is how the game finished.
A great win to put GOTB back in the mix at the top end of the table.
MOTM: Cal Maclean
Goals: Scott Conlon x 2 / Ally McCulloch / Sean Summers / Daryl Rankin
Assists: Samuel Kerr / Ally McCulloch / Cal Maclean Daniel Marshall
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