Greenock HSFP Black And Whitacres Wolves Draw 5-5 Before Dramatic Shootout Win

Greenock HSFP Black travelled to Gleniffer HS on 17 January 2026 for a thrilling cup away match against Whitacres Wolves, kicking off at 12:35pm. The encounter ended in a remarkable 5-5 draw after 80 minutes of pulsating football, with Greenock eventually prevailing 4-3 in the penalty shootout under referee Gary McCrae’s watchful eye.

Greenock HSFP Black lined up in a classic 4-3-3 formation, aiming to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Liam Shambach guarded the goal, protected by a back four comprising Taylor Carson at right back, Lyle Buchan and Jay Kane as central defenders, and Robert Miller on the left. The midfield trio featured Sam Lyons on the right, Ashton Kerr centrally, and Kieran Boyd on the left, tasked with both creative duties and defensive cover. Up front, the attacking trio consisted of Dylan McAllister on the right wing, Kaiden McKinnon leading the line as striker, and Murewa Seun-Oremade operating on the left wing. The substitutes bench included Ben O’Brien, Aaron Smith, Zack Fyfe, Ethan Lynch, and Zack Weston.

The game burst into life early on when Greenock took the lead in the 9th minute. Robert Miller delivered a precise long pass into the box, which Murewa Seun-Oremade expertly finished with his right foot, giving the visitors an early advantage. However, Whitacres Wolves responded swiftly with a spectacular screamer from outside the box in the 15th minute, levelling the score with a powerful left-footed strike that left Shambach with no chance.

Barely a minute later, Greenock regained the lead thanks to Kieran Boyd, who capitalised on a defensive error to slot home with his left foot. The home side’s defence was caught napping, and Boyd’s alertness paid dividends. Greenock extended their advantage further in the 20th minute when Sam Lyons combined with Kaiden McKinnon, who finished from close range inside the box with a neat right-footed shot following a short pass.

As the first half progressed, both teams traded possession and chances, but the scoreline remained 3-1 in Greenock’s favour at the 40-minute mark. Just before the break, Greenock were forced into two substitutions due to injury and tactical reshuffle. Aaron Smith replaced the injured Dylan McAllister on the right wing, while Ben O’Brien came on for Ashton Kerr in central midfield.

The second half resumed with Whitacres Wolves determined to claw their way back into the contest. Their persistence paid off in the 52nd minute when they scored from inside the box with a left-footed finish, narrowing the deficit to 3-2. The Wolves then stunned Greenock further in the 58th minute with a superb strike from outside the area, a right-footed effort that found the net and levelled the match at 3-3.

Greenock responded with a double substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Ethan Lynch for Kaiden McKinnon and Zack Weston for Murewa Seun-Oremade, signalling a fresh injection of energy upfront. Yet, the home side continued to press and took the lead for the first time in the match at 61 minutes with a right-footed finish inside the box. They doubled their advantage again seven minutes later, scoring another close-range goal with a right-footed strike, pushing the score to 5-3.

Greenock reacted swiftly with a flurry of substitutions at the 68th minute mark. Kaiden McKinnon returned to the pitch, replacing Aaron Smith, while Murewa Seun-Oremade came back on for Kieran Boyd. Additionally, Ashton Kerr was reinstated in midfield, taking over from Taylor Carson at right back. These changes revitalised Greenock’s attacking threat.

The visitors pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Zack Weston tapped in a close-range finish following a precise cross from Kaiden McKinnon. However, the joy was short-lived as Weston was forced off injured two minutes later, with Aaron Smith returning to the field.

In the final moments of normal time, Aaron Smith sealed Greenock’s comeback with a composed finish inside the box in the 80th minute, assisted by a long pass from Ethan Lynch. The goal levelled the match at 5-5, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout.

The shootout was a tense affair, but Greenock HSFP Black held their nerve to triumph 4-3, booking their place in the next round. Kaiden McKinnon’s influence throughout the match was undeniable, earning him the player of the match accolade for his leadership and clinical finishing.

This extraordinary cup tie showcased end-to-end action, tactical adjustments, and resilience from both sides, with Greenock ultimately prevailing in a memorable encounter at Gleniffer HS.