East Kilbride Thistle 0-3 Cambuslang Rangers

Sectional League Cup

Saturday 12th August 2006

at Showpark

Cambuslang Rangers moved to the top of their group in this seasons Sectional League Cup albeit on goal difference. They are tied on the same points as Glencairn after both sides recorded comfortable wins at the weekend. An excellent hat trick from Lang striker Alan Patrick saw them top by one goal. All this means the section will go down to the final games on Wednesday. Lang take on Blantyre while Glencairn entertain East Kilbride and it may well come down to who scores the most goals, providing both team win that is.

Cambuslang made a couple of changes to the side that went down to Glencairn in their previous match. In goal came Bell who replaced Robertson and Doyle made way for Steven O'Neil. There was also a start for Ritchie Love, in his third spell at Cambuslang, he replaced Graham McCracken who sat this one out.

The less said about the firs half the better as it was East Kilbride that looked the more dangerous side and pinned Cambuslang Rangers back for long spells. The Cambuslang's credit they rarely looked like conceding although East Kilbride were creating, and squandering, numerous chances.

The home side were forced into a change after only 18 minutes when Kelly went down injured, his [place taken by Reynolds.

The bustling figure of Martin Fellowes seemed to be causing a bit of a stir in the Lang ranks as they failed to keep tabs on him on a few occasions but the EK striker failed to punish Cambuslang. On 23 minutes Fellowes should have done better after his shot on the turn was blasted wide of the target.

Cambuslang had a couple of chances of their own. Firstly Love fired narrowly over and then Patrick brought the ball down on his chest creating some space but the Lang striker fired just over

H-T 0-0

There was plenty to talk about in the second half as Cambuslang came out after the break like a team on a mission. Only 5 minutes into it and they got their noses in front. Patrick got on the end of a ball into the box and fired into the corner of the net. That lead was doubled 3 minutes later.

This time a low driven corner was dummied by Martin and the ball came to Patrick who made no mistake prodding home from close range.

Things got even better for the visitors when Patrick grabbed his third of the game. McGuigan broke from defence and set Faulds down the right hand side, the Lang striker sent the ball over to his striking partner who knocked the ball off the post and into the net.

A double change from EK was still not enough to make any inroads towards Cambuslang goal as they stood solid at what EK had to offer. Off went Schonville and Brogan to be replaced with Strain and Bain.

East Kilbride had a great chance to pull a goal back on 64 minutes but sub Bain pulled his effort wide from a good position. Cambuslang picked up a booking when McGowan was yellow carded for kicking the ball away. The visitors then made a change, Doyle coming on from McGowan. Next up Chris Faulds picked up a booking for speaking out of turn.

Any hopes EK had of getting anything from the game seemed to go when Smith received his second caution of the game and was sent for an early bath. Lang striker Chris Faulds was then replaced with Reid. Another change for Cambuslang came on 87 minutes when Love was replaced with White.

East Kilbride should have grabbed a goal at the end but sub Bain fired weakly over with just the keeper to beat.

Another 3 points in the bag that sees Cambuslang joint top of the group and another 3 on Wednesday a must.

Lang Line Up

1 Bell

2 O'Neil

3 McGowan (Doyle 68)

4 McGuigan

5 Martin

6 Donnelly

7 Carson

8 Robertson

9 Patrick

10 Faulds (Reid 80)

11 Love (White 87)

Subs Not Used

13 Eadie

15 Gray