Shettleston Town 2-1
Cambuslang Rangers
Saturday
14th September 2002
at
Shettleston Park
Cambuslang took a break for League duty and
travelled the short distance for this West of Scotland Cup tie against
Shettleston. Cambuslang were looking to build on the performance that earned
them a point against Bellshill in their previous game but injury's prevented
manager Andy Cunningham fielding the same line up. Gary McGregor, who has
been in fine form this season, was ruled out with a back problem and Stewart
Taylor took his place. Also missing from the line up was Ian Stoddart due
to work commitments, he was replaced by McCrae.
The opening stages of the game were very lively
with the two sides creating good goal scoring chances but neither were able to
take them. Shettleston were presented with an early chance to open the scoring
after McFarlane gave possession away but the miss control by Jack allowed the
Lang defence time to clear the danger. The visitors almost opened the scoring a
minute later when Dignam fired the ball across the face of goal and Lang's
McFarlane was only inches away from diverting into the net but his effort found
the side netting. Cambuslang defence had to be on their toes once again when
Dickson broke through and with only the keeper to beat a superb saving tackle
came in from Taylor preventing what looked a certain goal. Town's Jack was
proving to be the engine room of the home side and almost everything came
through him. He fired in a shot from 20 yards that wasn't far off target,
although Wardlaw looked to have it covered. The Lang keeper was called into
action for the first time on the half hour mark when he saved Dickson's effort.
Cambuslang were forced into an early change when McFarlane found himself being
carried off on a stretcher after what looked like a stamp from the Town
defender but the challenge went unpunished to the amazement of the travelling
Lang support. Lang brought on Kenny Balmain to replace him, which meant a
re-shuffling of the Lang back line. The sucker punch was delivered in first
half stoppage time when the home side took the lead. A drive from the edge of
the box found it's way through and nestled in the bottom corner.
H-T 1-0
The second half started with the home side
picking up the first booking of the game when Dickson hauled down Taylor 25
yards from goal. Then Shettleston were reduced to 10 men in a 3 minute spell
that saw their best player Jack booked for kicking the ball away then minutes
later he received a second yellow four kicking out at a Lang player resulting
in an early bath for Towns best player. Cambuslang were left remonstrating with
the man in the middle after another hefty challenge went unpunished. This time
Paterson found himself on the end of a heavy tackle from Dickson. On the
hour mark Cambuslang replaced McCrae with Daisley. Shettleston should have tied
the game up on 62 minutes when the substitute found himself in acres of space
and just the keeper to beat but he totally miskicked in front of goal and it
flew wide. Cambuslang found themselves level after another wonder strike from
Dignam. He found space and despite being forced wide of the goal he still found
space to get the shot away that found the far corner of the net. The same
player almost gave the Lang an unlikely lead but a good save for the keeper
this time kept his effort out. Cambuslang brought on Billy Holmes for
scorer Dignam in an attempt to win the game. Cambuslang almost found themselves
behind for a second time, but a fine save by Wardlaw kept the sides level. Just
as the game was heading for penalty kicks the home side grabbed the winner.
With only second remaining the ball came to a Town man after about 3 ricochets
and deflections it landed at his feet and he slotted past the helpless Lang
keeper Wardlaw for an undeserved winner.
Lang
Wardlaw, Kavanagh, Taylor, Foster, McCrae (
Daisley 60), Paterson, Fay, Webster, Carmichael, Dignam (Holmes 68), McFarlane
(Balmain 42)
Subs not used
Smith & Galloway