Cambuslang
Rangers 0-0 Bellshill
Rockware
Super 1st Division
Saturday
8th March
at
Somervell Park
Cambuslang and ex-lodgers Bellshill went head to head in an
important league match for both sides. Bellshill came into the game on the back
of two defeats in the Cup competitions and also the blow that influential
defender Danny Drew would be missing for a few weeks after breaking a leg in
last weeks League Cup defeat. the news that the big defender would be missing
must have been a boost to the home side.
Cambuslang had an almost full squad to pick from although Derek
Watson ruled himself out with Flu. The big man has only just returned to the squad
after a lengthy lay off with ligament trouble. Gary McGregor was ruled out with
knee trouble picked up in the League Cup win over Lesmahagow.
Bellshill included veteran player coach Rab McKinnon in the
sweeper role to make up for the loss of Drew but the Bellshill coach only
lasted 45 minutes after straining a hamstring at the end of the first half.
It was also revealed prior to the game that Bellshill will no
longer be ground sharing Somervell. The Bellshill Committee all resigned after
some in fighting and that left them with no groundsman to help keep Somervell
playable. They will now be moving to Tollcross, home of Vale of Clyde as their
park is maintained by the council.
The game itself was a pretty drab encounter to say the least.
There were few chances for either side as both defences came out on top.
Cambuslang have to scrap for every available point to try and escape
relegation.
The Lang keeper has been in good form of late and is keeping Alan
Wardlaw from getting back into the side. The veteran keeper is clearly
frustrated at the lack of games and has even mentioned the idea of retirement,
but he surely has a season left in him and must, like Stevie, wait for the
chance to regain the number one spot.
Bellshill forced Lang keeper McGovern into a fine stop on 10
minutes. The keeper was called into action and again proved his worth with
another fine stop this time with his feet from Brown who had a free header at
the back post.
On the half hour mark the home side thought they had opened the
scoring through Galloway but the far side linesman was flagging for offside.
The first booking of the match went to Bellshill. Dingwall was booked for
protesting a decision from the linesman and to be fair to the wee striker he did
have a case as the ball was clearly still in play. The best chance of the first
half fell to the visitors. McGovern's punch under pressure fell to Dingwall but
his goal bound effort was cleared off the line by Balmain. Two good chances in
quick succession for the visitors at the end of the half and they should have
went in at the break in front. The first came from the foot of ex-Motherwell
striker Paul McGrillen, he cut inside Galloway but fired his powerful effort
over the bar, then seconds later a mistake by Ferguson allowed Brown in on goal
but the Lang defender recovered well and got back to get in the timely tackle
and knock the ball for a corner.
H-T 0-0
The visitors were forced into a change at halftime after McKinnon
failed to appear for the second half after a hamstring pull, he was replaced by
Francetti. Bellshill had another glorious chance to open their account when
Dingwall found himself in acres of space but his pass to McGrillen was cut out
at the last minute preventing a certain goal. In a scrappy second 45 there were
few chances being created as both teams huffed and puffed through the half.
Bellshill will feel they should have taken all 3 points after creating the
better openings but the Lang defence and keeper were playing pretty well.
Bellshill missed another couple of chance when McGrillen headed over for m6
yards when he really should have scored then Dingwall missed an open goal when
he miss kicked. Cambuslang replaced Daisley with Taylor and in a strange move
switched full back Galloway up front, obviously trying to use the wee mans
blistering pace. Last action of the game saw McGovern called into action again.
Dingwall testing drive with a drive fro the edge of the box that the Lang
keeper easily saved for a share of the spoils.
McGovern, Galloway(Taylor 74), Ferguson, Kavanagh, Doak,
Feenie, Stoddart, Balmain, Webster, Holmes, Daisley
Subs not used Lyons, Paterson and McCrae
This weekend Cambuslang travel to Troon. Bus time will be
confirmed Later