Renfrew 1-2 Cambuslang Rangers
Abercorn Builders Premier League
Saturday 3rd November
at Western Park
Cambuslang collected another
vital 3 points last weekend when they travelled to the home of Scottish Cup
Holders and current League Leaders Renfrew. A narrow 2-1 victory was enough to
ensure the visitors returned home with the win. As has been the story in
previous weeks, manager Andy Cunningham went with another different back four
after Jim Kavanagh came back in after missing the game v Larkhall. The unlucky
player to drop out was Derek Watson who had to make do with a place on the
bench. There was one more surprise in store for the Lang fans, Mark Dunn was
given a rare start when he came in for Maxwell who dropped to the bench.
Both sides started like a house
on fire and indeed there were 2 goals in the opening 3 minutes. The visitors
opened the scoring after only 2 minutes and it was a bumper strike from centre
half Mattie Coulter. John Richardson sent over a deep corner kick which was met
on the volley by Coulter and the ball flew into the roof of the net giving the
Frew keeper no chance, just the start the Lang would have hoped for, however
their celebrations didn't last too long when Renfrew took centre ran up filed
and pulled themselves level through Paterson. The game just never reached those
peaks again. Renfrew were dealt a blow when they had to replace Farquarson when
he injured his ankle falling after a challenge by Coulter, he was replaced with
Clark. Cambuslang went close when Taylor saw his shot cleared off the line.
Then Cambuslang were astounded when their claims for a penalty were waived away.
The ball clearly struck the Frew defender on the arm but the referee was having
none of it and booked Paterson for over protesting the point. Cambuslang
regained the lead on 38 minutes through this season's top scorer Stuart Gauley.
A quick throw on the left saw Gauley collect the ball and as he shaped to hit
the ball there was only one place it was going to end up and he superbly lobbed
into the far corner of the net over the stranded Frew keeper who could only
watch as the ball landed in the back of the net for a quite exquisite finish
from the Lang man. Renfrew tried to get back on level terms and went close
through Prentice but his shot slid wide of the upright.
H-T 1-2
The home side started the second
half with their tails up and seemed determined to get back on level terms. Ross
had a strange opening start to the half when firstly he headed wide from a good
position and then picked up a silly needless booking when he fouled Devanney.
Barr was next up to try his luck on the Lang goal but his first effort was
blocked and cleared and then when clean through on goal he chipped wide of the
target. Cambuslang began to get back into the Renfrew half and John Richardson
saw his header cleared off the line. On the hour mark the home side were
awarded a very soft penalty when Prentice was slow in going down under the
challenge of Kavanagh, there was minima contact if any from the Lang defender
but the ref pointed to the spot. Morrison took the spot kick but saw his well
struck shot superbly saved by Wardlaw in the Lang goal. The most bizarre
incident of the day when the Lang's Gauley was booked for backing into the
Renfrew defence. The Lang man seemed to stand his ground before McKeown ran
into the back of him. Cambuslang gave striker Billy Holmes a run out in preparation
for next weeks Scottish cup tie, he replaced Daisley. Renfrew were thumping the
ball forward at every opportunity in an effort to get back on level terms but
the Lang defence were holding firm. Cambuslang should have sealed the points in
the final minute when the two subs, Holmes and Gihanney combined to set up
Holmes but his weak effort was cleared off the line.
F-T 1-2
Line up's
Renfrew
J Thomson, McKeown, dunlop,
Farquarson, Hammond, Peacock, Ross, Barr, Morrison, McInally & Prentice
Subs from R Thomson, McKinnon,
Clark, Foster, Smith
Cambuslang
Wardlaw, Doak, Taylor, Kavanagh,
Coulter, Richardson, Dunn (Maxwell 84), Paterson (Gilhanney 78), Devanney,
Daisley (Holmes 70), & Gauley
Subs not used McDougall & Watson