Helensburgh Old Firm supporters unite for charity match

The 'Helensburgh Old Firm Fans' charity game saw the bitter rivalry between the two clubs and their supporters set aside in aid of two good causes.

As previously reported, the match took place on Sunday, June 23 on the 4G all-weather surface at Hermitage Academy.

And although the weather might have been overcast, it was certainly a very warm day for the players.

The match took place on the 4G astro pitch at Hermitage Academy (Image: Helensburgh Old Firm Fans Charity Match)

All money raised is to be split between the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank and SIMBA, which supports parents who have experienced the loss of a baby.

And although the weather might have been overcast, it was certainly a very warm day for the players.

The match featured 42 men from Helensburgh, some of who put on their boots for the first time in many a year to raise money and awareness for the causes. (Image: Helensburgh Old Firm Fans Match)

 The match featured 42 men from Helensburgh, some of who put on their boots for the first time in many a year to raise money and awareness for the causes.

The game kicked off cagey as both sides were trying to keep possession with not many chances being given to either side until a Celtic spell of dominance required Pudge in the Rangers goal to pull off three good saves to keep the scores level.

Both sides tried to keep possession of the ball during the match (Image: Ryan Melville Photography)

It was Rangers who managed to strike the first blow as a long ball over the top from Richie Henry was met by Ali Maule's run through the Celtic defence.

Lewis Campbell in the back line did well to make it back and hold up Maule, who then laid the ball off to Jamie Paterson who crossed to the edge of the box for Kyle Sharkey to slam the ball past keeper Sean Diamond.

Celtic, not to be deterred, scored pretty much straight from kick off as George McConnell latched onto a through ball and played a cross into the box. A mix up in the Rangers defence gave Ryan Jones the chance to smash home a quick-fire equaliser.

Crowds gathered to support the Old Firm supporter's match at the weekend (Image: Ryan Melville Photography)

Multiple changes were made on both sides and substitute Euan Brown made a run down the touchline to cut the ball back to Andrew Burton to tap home his first of the day and give Rangers a 2-1 lead going into half time.

The second half was far more open, with a few chances being given to both sides but tired legs and lack of match fitness showed with the chances being cut out by the strong back lines and goalkeepers on each side.

But Celtic's equaliser came on the 65th minute, when Robert Caldwell hit a rocket of a shot high into the goal of substitute keeper Ewan MacFarlane, who couldn’t react quick enough.

By this point tackles were flying in from both sides with Jamie Paterson, Karl Johanson, Calum Dods and Ross Petro going into the book for hard challenges. 

The game raised money for two Helensburgh causes (Image: Ryan Melville Photography)

Johanson came the closest to putting his side in front when the Celtic captain rattled the bar from the edge of the box. But in the 90th minute from a corner, Andrews Burton rose highest to nod home the goal to put Rangers 3-2 in front.

Celtic threw everything at the game and in the 96th minute, they got their reward as Campbell struck from the edge of the box, hitting the inside of the post and going into the net off the back of the unfortunate keeper MacFarlane.

Referee Tony McCann finally blew the whistle not long after, with the suggestion that he maybe played his own version of “Fergie time” until an equaliser was found.

One of the organisers said: "There was a crowd of around 70 people at the match supporting both sides and donating cash and food items which had not yet been added to the total raised.

"The GoFundMe page is currently sitting at £1,200, which is beyond our wildest dreams. With the success of this event we plan to run another one and hope to see all of the same faces back again.

"Thank you to Riverhill Courtyard for sponsoring the event and also Ryan Melville for photographing the event."

More pictures will be available on the Helensburgh Old Firm Fans Facebook page soon.

To donate or for more information visit the Helensburgh Old Firm Fans Charity Match GoFundMe page.