St Anthony’s
4-4 Cambuslang Rangers
Saturday 6th
November 2004
O.V.D.
Scottish Cup 2nd Round
At McKenna
Park
Cambuslang live to fight another day, but only after an almighty
scare from 1st Division strugglers St Anthony’s. A fine double from Alan McCrae in the 4-4
draw between the two sides means they will have to do it all again in next
weeks replay at Somervell Park.
Despite the 8 goals this cant be desribed as an 8 goal thriller
more a nighmare
Cambuslang struggled to even get a team on the park and manager
Andy Cunningham admitted after the game he was forced to play unfit players in
the match. Paul Burns and Jamie Coulter both played despite not being 100% fit
for the game. It clearly showed as both player failed to make an impact in the
match as the Ants threatened to stem roller all over the Super League
opponents.
Influential sweeper Martin Feenie was sorely missed (work
commitments) for his organisation skills in a defence that had barely played
together before Saturdays torrid time. Fisher was thrust into the centre of
defence having only come back from injury himself. Gary McGregor was on the
bench again as he looks to get back to full fitness. Long term injuries Derek
Carmichael, Graham Doak and Steven Tyczynski were all still missing. Keeper
Craig Rowan returned to the side after missing last weeks match.
The first chance of the afternoon fell to Lang's Paul Brown after
only 4 minutes. He collected Galloway's pass on the edge of the box but fired
just over. On 15 minutes the game threatened to boil over as Lang's Graham was
confronted by 2 Ant's players but the ref was keeping a close eye and soon put
a stop to anything untoward that was about to happen. Warnings were given and
I'm glad to say that was the end of that matter. The ref did his best to let
the game go and kept his cards in his pocked at the meaty challenges were
allowed to go as the conditions played their part. The opening goal came on 18
minutes, a good goal from an Ant's point of view but a really poor one from a
Lang defensive point. Diamond waltzed past 4 really poor attempts at a
challenge and his run took him into the box where he tow pocked the ball past
Rowan who could do little about it. This sparked mass celebration as the 1st
division boys took the lead. Galloway required treatment after a poor
challenge went unpunished yet again. Lang went close on 28 minutes but Brown's
effort was blocked then cleared by the Ant's defence. Cambuslang levelled a
minute later though and it was from the boot of Jamie McCarroll. From 20 yards
out he volleyed past the Ants keeper who should have done better with the shot.
5 minutes later and the visitors were in front. Defender Graham had got down
the line and his cross was met by Brown who at the second attempt bundled the
ball home. As the game headed towards the interval, the ants drew level.
Another ball into the box was not dealt with the Lang defence and this time
Donnachie punished the sloppy defending when he bulleted his header past Rowan
on 43 minutes. It was to get worse for the visitors as the Ants scored
again a minute later. Once again it was that high ball into the box but
this time it was an error from the usually reliable Rowan. He dropped the ball
under no pressure and Milligan was in the right place to tap over the line to
give the home side an unlikely interval lead.
H-T 3-2
Cambuslang rolled the sleeves up in the second half. Ferguson
went close but the Ant's keeper saved his effort. A minute later Galloway fired
inches over as the Lang fought to get back level. On 55 minutes it could have
been curtains for the Super League side as Dixon found himself with only the
keeper to beat but he hit his effort over the bar. The struggling Coulter was
replaced by Holmes on the hour mark, the Lang man doing well to last that
amount of time as he struggled with injury. Cambuslang drew level once more on
73 minutes, Galloway's ball into the box was only half cleared but the quick
thinking McCrae latched on to the poor defensive header to nod home from 6
yards. and 3 minutes later it all looked rosy for the visitors when they took a
deserved lead. Again McCrae was the man on hand to score. His persistence paid
dividends as the Ant's defence failed to clear and the ball came to McCrae on
the penalty spot. The lead lasted all of 2 minutes. Yet again another ball into
the Lang box was not dealt with and Dixon scored the 4th for the Ants. The
referee couldn't keep allowing the tackles to fly in and he eventually booked
the Ants defender after a cynical foul on Burns who was then replaced by
McGregor. No more action and both side meet again for a place in the third
round draw taking place this Sunday the 14th November..
Lang
Rowan, Ferguson, Graham, Fisher, Coulter (Holmes 60), Paterson,
McCarroll, McCrae, Brown, Burns (McGregor 88), and Galloway
Subs not used
Lowe (gk) McGrath and Young