Vale of Clyde 1-1 Cambuslang Rangers
Stagecoach Super 1st
Division
Saturday 1st October 2005
at Fullarton Park
Cambuslang Rangers grabbed only their second point of the season
but it could have been so much better had they held their nerve for one more
minute...Leading through a Craig Porter strike, his first since signing,
but Cambuslang were unable to see out the match and an injury time strike
by Vale saw them grab a share of the points..
This could have been the springboard that Cambuslang need to kick
start the season but instead the confidence took another dent as they struggle
at the wrong end of the table on 2 points from 5 games..
Manager Scott Archer made no fewer than 4 changes to the side that
was k.o'd in the first round of the West. Out went Gallagher, Love, Timmons and
Gilroy. Their starting slots were taken up by Noble, McAdam, Stoddart and
Porter.
As is usually the case when these two sides meet, very little
football on offer and a lot of meaty challenges.
Vale have started the season well and are flying near the top of
the table and Cambuslang were under no illusions as to how difficult a game
this was going to be. Indeed the Vale let their intentions be known early on
and forced Lang keeper McGovern into a fine stop after only 6 minutes. A run to
the edge of the box and then a shot had McGovern scrambling across his line
before throwing himself and touching the goal bound effort round the post. Vale
were presented with another chance 5 minutes later, this time a needless free
kick was given away by Noble but Vale failed to trouble the keeper this time.
Cambuslang have struggled with dead ball situations all season and
Saturday was no different. Every free kick and corner into the box seemed to
cause havoc among the Lang back line, thankfully some poor heading from Vale
kept the Lang goal intact.
On 34 minutes Vale should have been red carded after an off the
ball kick at Burns, the incident was witnessed by the near side linesman and he
flagged the referee and explained the situation. Much to the amazement of
everyone in the ground the referee then proceeded to yellow card the Vale
culprit who clearly should have walked.
Vale were having the better of the chances as Cambuslang yet again
struggled to make any real chances for themselves, another frustrating
afternoon for the strikers. Just before the break and Cambuslang had an effort
at goal but McAdam pulled his effort wide of the target. A minute later and
Coulter forced the Vale keeper into a fine stop with his 25 yard drive that
looked goal bound all the way until the timely intervention..
H-T 0-0
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Goal Scorer Craig Porter On The
Attack v Vale of Clyde |
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Lang Striker Davie Menelaws Clears
The Danger v Vale of Clyde |
At the start of the
half, Langs O'Neil picked up a booking for a late challenge on a Vale player who
didn't take too kindly to the challenge. A minute later and a fine effort from
Vale's attacker saw a 20 yard effort go narrowly over the bar. On 54 minutes
the Vale were reduced to 10 men after the player O'Neil had caught minutes
later took revenge on the Lang defender with a terrible challenge and the Ref
had no option but to straight red card the reckless player.
Cambuslang replaced McAdam with Timmons on 57 minutes. Still Vale
were peppering the Lang goal but unable to test McGovern. A couple of Lang
players were booked for fouls, firstly Gary for a late challenge and then
Menelaws talked himself into the ref's notebook.
Vale were unlucky not to open the scoring on 65 minutes, A good
run and shot saw the goal ward effort rattle his own player before Cambuslang
cleared the danger. On 68 minutes something Cambuslang fans have
not seen much of this season, a goal. It was a well worked and well taken
effort and all down to Craig Porters strength and persistence, he robbed the
Vale defender on the touchline and also the advancing keeper, getting their
before both of them, he then lifted his effort into the empty net from the edge
of the box to net only Cambuslang's 2nd league goal of the season. This sparked
mass celebration between both fans and also the Lang dug out.
Despite taking the lead Cambuslang then found themselves being
pushed back and were camped in their own half for the remainder of the match.
Vale missed a number of good chances but found a keeper in form. McGovern
having one of his better games for Lang. Vale were lucky to keep 10 men on the
park when Timmons was on the end of a two-footed tackle but the ref allowed
this one to go. Lang brought on Gilroy for the hard working Wade on 81 minutes.
As the clock was ticking down Vale were throwing everything at Cambuslang and
should have scored on a couple of occasions, free headers from 5 yards out were
flying over the bar, much to the relief of the Lang following. With only
stoppage time remaining, Cambuslang's defences were eventually breached. A
drive from the edge of the box found itself through the crowded penalty area
and into the back of the net for the equaliser. Cambuslang could have snatched
the win but for a super save from a Burns 20 yard drive. The keeper turning the
ball round the post with a fine finger tip save.
A disappointing end to the match and one that Cambuslang
didn't really deserve after the 2nd half effort they put in.
Line up
McGovern, O'Neil, Burns, Noble, Gray, Coulter, McAdam (Timmons
57), Stoddart, Wade (Gilroy 81), Porter, Menelaws (McGowan 90)
Subs Not Used
Trialist, Faulds.