EKFC 09s Gold Triumph Over Garnkirk In Cup Clash

In a thrilling cup encounter at Hamilton Palace Grounds on 28 August 2025, EKFC 09s Gold emerged victorious against Garnkirk with a final score of 5-2. The match kicked off at 6:20pm, showcasing a display of attacking football that delighted the home crowd.

EKFC 09s Gold set up in a 4-1-3-2 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Christopher Wright donned the gloves as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back four comprising Steve Graham and Mark McGuiness as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Andrew Hall and Max Graham forming the central defensive partnership. Daniel Friel operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking play between defence and attack. The attacking midfield trio featured Alfie Hall on the right, Matthew Brown in the centre, and Callum Kerr on the left, while Matthew Henderson and Josh Gales led the line as forwards. The substitutes for the match included Shay Christie and Stephen Orr.

The match began with an explosive start as Josh Gales converted a penalty just three minutes in, sending the home side into an early lead. This was followed by a well-worked team goal in the 13th minute, where Matthew Henderson finished off a cross from Mark McGuiness, doubling EKFC 09s Gold's advantage.

Garnkirk responded with determination, pulling one back in the 28th minute with a goal from inside the box, scored with a right foot. However, EKFC 09s Gold quickly restored their two-goal cushion just two minutes later when Gales struck again, this time from a cross delivered by Alfie Hall, showcasing their attacking prowess.

As the first half drew to a close, Garnkirk managed to find the net once more, scoring from outside the area in the 43rd minute, leaving the score at 3-2 as the teams headed into the break.

The second half saw tactical changes from EKFC 09s Gold, with Shay Christie replacing Matthew Brown and Stephen Orr coming on for Josh Gales at half-time. The substitutions proved effective as Alfie Hall extended the lead in the 55th minute, finishing a move assisted by Stephen Orr with a composed right-footed strike from inside the box.

In the 70th minute, Shay Christie added to the tally, scoring another goal for EKFC 09s Gold, with Josh Gales providing the assist through a long pass that split the Garnkirk defence. This goal solidified the home side's dominance, bringing the score to 5-2.

As the match drew to a close, EKFC 09s Gold showcased their resilience and attacking flair, securing a well-deserved victory in this cup tie. Matthew Henderson's performance was particularly noteworthy, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match for his influential role in the team's success.