Cambuslang Rangers 1-1 Renfrew
Abercorn Builders
Premier League
Saturday 16th March
at Somervell Park
Cambuslang Rangers had to come from behind last week to salvage a
point against 4th placed Renfrew. The injury hit Lang squad had to rely on a
late equaliser from Stuart Gauley to take a share of the spoils in the 1-1 draw
at Somervell Park.
Cambuslang were hit by injuries both before and during the game
that stretched their squad to the limit. Gary McGregor, Gary Robertson, Mark
Daisley and Damian Devanney were all ruled out through injury and keeper Alan
Wardlaw passed a fitness test just prior to kick off. The injury nightmare
allowed a rare start for 17-year-old Mark Gilhaney and Kenny Balmain returned
after a lengthy lay off.
The visitors had the first real chance of the 1st half and it was
ex-Lang man Gerry Malone who fired over from a good position just inside the
box. This was followed by a Morrison header that was easily saved by Wardlaw in
the Lang goal. Renfrew went close again through Malone, Morrison effort was
blocked and it fell to Malone who's effort game of the face of the bar and was
cleared. Cambuslang didn't have an effort at goal until the 25th minute when
Paterson shot tamely wide. Frew's Hammond picked up the first caution of the afternoon
when he fouled Gilhaney. Cambuslang were beginning to come into the game a
little and had a couple of decent efforts saved. First was a header from
Maxwell and then Balmain saw his cross deflected only to come back off the bar
and cleared to safety. At the end of the half Cambuslang almost took the lead
but for a stunning stop from Thompson in the Fre goal. Gauley made his way down
the right flank before delivering an excellent cross for Holmes whom did
everything right but the keeper somehow blocked his effort at point blank range
and kept the ball out.
H-T 0-0
Cambuslang were dealt a blow at the start of the second half when
keeper Wardlaw failed to appear for the second half. McDougall took his place
between the sticks for only his 3rd appearance of the season. The keeper was
called into action immediately as he had to deal with McNally's effort. Both
teams knew that a point did neither any good and Renfrew were the first to
throw caution to the wind with a double substitution on the hour mark. Prentice
and Quigley replaced McNally and Ross. Cambuslang picked up there 1st caution
of the match when Balmain was yellow carded after a late challenge on Quigley.
Frew's Malone should have opened the scoring on 63 minutes but his shot went
inches over after a fine turn just inside the box. Then it was the Lang's turn
to blow a great chance, Gilhaney crossed to the back post where Gauley met the
ball but put the effort over the bar. Lang's Taylor then picked up a yellow for
what the referee adjudged was a foul on Morrison who went to ground rather
easily. Then a minute later the Lang defended was penalised for what looked
like another dive, this time it was inside the box and the referee awarded a
penalty kick to the visitors much to the dismay of both home players and
supporters. Morrison kept a cool head and coolly slotted past McDougall who
failed to even move for the ball. Minutes later, and the Lang picked up a third
yellow card, Richardson booked for dissent. In an attempt to get back on level
terms Cambuslang replaced Maxwell with Dunn. Renfrew were still threatening and
sub Prentice went close. Cambuslang began to play like there old self and
pushed Renfrew back for the remainder of the game. Gilhaney forced the keeper
into a fine stop when he latched onto a Gauley cross. Cambuslang's pressure
eventually played of on 85 minutes. Gilhaney played the ball to Gauley on the
edge of the box and his fine turn gave him space to get the shot away and it
found it's way into the bottom corner of the net. Both teams played out the
remainder of the game knowing 1 point was better than none. a draw was possibly
the right result at the end of the day.
F-T 1-1
Line-ups
Lang
Wardlaw (McDougall 45), Doak, Taylor, Kavanagh, Richardson,
Balmain (Coulter 88), Paterson, Gauley, Holmes, Gilhaney & Maxwell
(Dunn 75)
Subs not used
Watson & Trialist
Renfrew
Thompson, Hammond, Dunlop, Farquarson, Dickson, McKeown, Peacock,
Malone, McNally & Ross
Subs from Clark, Prentice, Barr, Quigley & Gilchrist