Hurlford 2-1 Cambuslang Rangers

Saturday 2nd October

Cambuslang Rangers travelled to Ayrshire in their hunt for that elusive 1st league win of the season. 2 draws in the opening 2 games sees them lurking at the wrong end of the table and in need of some much need points. The visitors were hoping to continue where they left off and that was the fine win and excellent display over another Ayrshire side, Cumnock, in the West Cup.

Still struggling with injuries Cambuslang look like getting to the end of the nightmare run as a few of the players made it onto Saturday's bench. Still out though were long term injuries Steven Tycninsky and Derek Carmichael.

a disappointing second half performance cost the Somervell Park boys dearly as they surrendered a 1-0 interval lead given to them by Skipper Billy Holmes. But 2 strikes after the break ensured Hurlford took all three points.

Cambuslang played well in the first half and could have lead quite comfortably if not for some sloppy finishing.

After 10 minutes Lang's Ferguson played in Holmes but his effort was well saved by the Ford keeper. A minute later and the home side should have opened the scoring, a bad miss by Maxwell. The home side suffered a blow on 15 minutes when they lost their keeper, and with no replacement on the bench it was left to an outfield player to take over in goal. Despite this handicap the substitute keeper turned out to be not a bad replacement as Cambuslang struggled to get the ball past him.

Cambuslang did make the breakthrough on 20 minutes and it was a quite stunning goal from Jamie McCarroll. He turned his marker on the edge of the box before turning and rifling his shot past the helpless keeper, in fairness to the Hurlford goalie, there is not many keepers who would have seen it let a lone stop it. Hurlford went close on 25 minutes and Lang had Paterson to thank as he headed Maxwell's effort of his own line. Maxwell was lucky to remain on the park after a shocking challenge on Galloway, but the referee to the surprise of everyone even the Ford player only produced a yellow card. Cambuslang went close through Galloway just before the break but his effort was straight at the keeper. Lang keeper Rowan produced a fine stop on 44 minutes to keep Lang in front at the break.

H-T 0-1

As has happened so often this season, Cambuslang just failed to get going in the second half. Although Billy Holmes had the first effort of the half firing wide from close range. The home side seemed to catch on to the fact Cambuslang were poor in the air and as attack after attack saw them launch the high ball into the box, this was a tactic that Cambuslang just couldn't handle. with the resulting pressure from the home side Cambuslang picked up a couple of bookings as they struggled to get out of their own half. Ferguson and Galloway finding themselves in the ref's note book. In a rare second half attack Cambuslang thought they had increased their lead only for the linesman to rule it offside, much to the annoyance of the visiting support. On the hour mark and the home side pressure finally paid dividends as they got a deserved equaliser. The scorer who shouldn't have been on the park after his assault on Galloway, was on hand to head home from close range. Cambuslang made a change bringing on Love for Holmes. This was quickly followed by another yellow card this time for Feenie. On 70 minutes Lang brought on Doak for his first start since recovering from injury, a timely boost for the Lang manager. With 15 minutes remaining Ford grabbed what turned out to be the winner. Another hope full ball into the box was not cut out by the Lang defence and Smith knocked past Rowan. Lang's Paterson went close late on when he shot wide. Another injury boost came on 88 minutes when last seasons top scorer Paul Brown made a brief appearance further easing the Lang injury worries although all to late to save this game as the home side held on for the 3 points.

Rowan, Fisher, Burns (Brown 88), Feenie, McGrath (Doak 71), Coulter, Galloway, Paterson, Holmes (Love 68), McCarroll & Ferguson.

Subs Not Used Graham and Petrik