Cambuslang Rangers 1-1
Ashfield
(Ashfield win 4-2 on
pens)
Central
League Cup 1st Round
At Somervell Park
Saturday 9th February
2002
Cambuslang Rangers were sensationally dumped out of the League Cup
1st Round by 2nd division Ashfield at the weekend. It was another embarrassing
cup exit for the Somervell Park side and was on a par with the O.V.D cup exit
earlier in the season. A lack lustre display saw them dumped 4-2 in a penalty
shoot out. The home fans had waited 2 weeks for this game due to the bad
weather and were dished up a plate of mince.
Manager Andy Cunningham made some changes to the side that
defeated Petershill in there last outing, Paterson made a start after injury,
Mitchell too started the game, as did Mark Dunn. Mark Dasiley dropped to the
bench alongside Gary McGregor.
The game was a pretty drab affair with neither side really able to
play on the heavy surface. It was 15 minutes before there was a shot at goal
and it came from the home side Paterson, he fired in a right foot volley that
went narrowly wide of the post. Ashfield went close through McKendry who
sidestepped the Lang defence before firing just over the bar. The only talking
point of the first half was when the referee had to go off injured when he was
struck in the face with the ball. His assistant took over in the middle. Soon
after the game had re started and the home side were one down. A poor defensive
header by Kavanagh who headed it straight to Ashfield's Christie and his effort
ended up in the back of the net despite Wardlaws efforts to get there but he
slipped and it went over his head into the net. In first half stoppage
time Gauley should have put the Lang level but he pulled his shot wide of the
post. The visitors almost went 2 up but for an excellent stop by Wardlaw in the
Lang goal, Christie's header superbly palmed away.
John Mitchell, just one of the under achievers on show in
this game
H-T 0-1
Cambuslang tried in vain to get back on level terms and both
Gauley and Doak saw efforts well saved by eh Ashfield keeper. Cambuslang threw
on Gilhanney and Holmes for Mitchell and Dunn. Holmes almost made an immediate
impact but his header from Paterson's cross went just wide. Despite Cambuslangs
pressure and dominance they were still unable to find away past the plucky
Ashfield back line. Balmain was next to have a go but his overhead kick was
cleared off the line. In a last ditch attempt to get the equaliser Cambuslang
replaced Taylor with Dasiley. With 5 minutes remaining Cambuslang grabbed an
equaliser through substitute Billy Holmes. He got on the end of Gary
Robertson's cross and headed past Stevenson in the Ashfield goal. Despite
Cambuslangs efforts they were unable to grab a winner and the game went
straight to penalties.
Cambuslang were first to go and went 1 up through John Richardson,
Lansdowne levelled sending Wardlaw the wrong way. Holmes was next up and his
kick was saved. McKendry put the visitors in front when he slotted home. Jim
Kavanagh then rattled a post with his kick. Christie put his kick away easily
to put Ashfield in a nice position. Next up for the Lang was Daisley who had to
score to keep the Lang in the tie and he did with ease. Pressure was now on
Ashfield Haggerty who knew if he scored that would send his side into the next
round. He calmly slotted past Wardlaw to book there place in the next round and
claim a big scalp for the 2nd division side.
Line up
Cambuslang
Wardlaw, Robertson, Taylor (Daisley 85), Kavanagh, Doak,
Richardson, Dunn (Holmes 50), Balmain, Gauley, Paterson & Mitchell
(Gilhanney 50)
Subs not used McGregor, McDougall
Ashfield from Stevenson, Gordon, Haggerty, Quigley, McLaughlin,
McKendry, Lansdowne, Whaetley, Christie, McFarlane & Forsyth
Subs Gordon, Lightbody, McDonald
Thanks go to
Frank Reilly for supplying today's match pics