Blantyre Vics 0-2 Cambuslang Rangers
Beatons Coaches
Sectional
League Cup
at Castle Park
Wednesday 14th
August 2002
Cambuslang Rangers went into Wednesdays with
already two defeats in their first two games in this Sectional League Cup, the
trophy they won in 2000. A third defeat would all but rule out any chance of
making the quarterfinals. Manager Andy Cunningham made a few changes to the
side that lost to East Kilbride. Back came Jim Kavanagh who has missed the last
two games due to Holiday. Keeper Wardlaw was rested giving McGovern an
opportunity to show what he can do. Also left out were Watson and Robertson.
Front man Jamie Earlie was given another opportunity to shine but once again
the striker failed to impress. Paterson in the Midfield deserves a special
mention for a superb game controlling the midfield
Cambuslang started the game with the bit between
their teeth and should have taken the lead as early as the 3rd minute but a
poor header from McFarlane went wide from close range. Blantyre hit back but
their striker volleyed wide from the edge of the box. New keeper McGovern was
called into action on the 20 minute mark and he produced a string of top saves
to prevent Blantyre taking the lead, the first was a point blank effort that he
parried out then blocked the follow up before Blanytre shot over from 5 yards
when they really should have scored. Lang skipper Billy Holmes went close with
a header from McCrae but it went inches wide of the post. The first booking of
the game went to the visitors when Paterson picked up a yellow card for
speaking out of turn. McCrae quickly followed him for a silly challenge on the
Vics full back, this booking was to prove costly for the Lang man. Cambuslang
got the break there play deserved when Webster was tripped in the box and the
ref had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick. This was converted by McCrae
to give the Lang a half-time lead.
H-T 0-1
Cambuslangs hero in the first half, McCrae,
turned villain when he went down under little or no contact from the Vics
defender, the referee saw this as a dive and immediately booked the Lang
player. As this was his second yellow it was swiftly followed by the red card
and McCrae was off for an early bath. Cambuslang then had to dig in and roll up
their sleeves for the onslaught on their goal that was about to follow. Vics
war lucky to keep 11 men on the park when one of their player clearly elbowed
Lang player Kavanagh but he escaped with just a booking. Lang full back
Galloway almost made it two but a fine stop by Vics keeper. On the hour
mark Lang replaced the Earlie with Smith. Then Webster picked up a booking for
a clumsy challenge on the Vics keeper. Cambuslang could have sealed the points
when McGregor of all people found himself being played in by Smith but the big
defender fired well wide of goal. Blantyre were laying siege at the Lang goal
but couldn't find away through the Lang back line that looked a lot more solid
with Kavanagh back. With 15 minutes left Cambuslang replaced Holmes with
Daisley. Robertson picked up a stupid booking for kicking the ball away in
frustration. Cambuslang grabbed the killer second in the final minute after a
mix up in the Vics defence allowed Daisley in to calmly knock pas the keeper.
Lang Line up
McGovern, Ferguson, McGregor, Kavanagh, Webster,
Paterson, Earlie (Smith 60), Galloway (Robertson 70), Holmes (Daisley75),
McCrae & McFarlane
Subs not used Watson & Wardlaw