Maryhill 1-0 Cambuslang Rangers
Abercorn
Builders Premier League
Saturday 18th
May
At Lochburn
Park
Cambuslang
Rangers super leagues took a massive dent at the weekend and saw them slip to
6th spot in the table. A controversial 1-0 defeat at the hands of Maryhill now
leaves their fate in the hands of others. The sickening blow came in the final
minute of the match when McLafferty of Maryhill scored the killer goal but was
yards offside but the referee and his assistant allowed the goal to stand. The
disappointing thing of all was that the Maryhill player wasn't even close to
being on side and this infuriated Lang players and staff, as well as the fans.
The decision could cost Cambuslang a spot in next year’s top division.
Both teams went into the game knowing neither could not afford to lose
and this was evident in both teams play, cautions and safe. Maryhill had the
first real chance of the game when Watson for the home side fired in a free
kick but it went well over the bar. Cambuslang responded instantly and Maryhill
defender Miler had to clear a dangerous cross from under his own bar with
Maxwell waiting to capitalise on any error. Cambuslang went close through
Balmain but his effort was cleared off the line. The biggest miss of the day
came from ex-Lang man Greg McDonald. After a corner from the left was flighted
in the big defender found the ball at his feet but he somehow scooped the ball
over the bar from almost on the line, a big let off for the visitors. A mistake
in midfield by Paterson presented Hughes with a great chance but he shot wide
with only the keeper to beat. The homeside picked up the first yellow of the
game when McAllister was yellow carded for a tug on Balmain. The home side
were forced into an early change when Gallagher failed to recover from an
earlier knock and Meldrum replaced him. Paterson then fed Gauley with a fine pass,
which the Lang man took in his stride before firing inches over the bar. Hill's
Watson then picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Gauley. Maryhill
then missed another glorious chance when Hughes headed over for 6 yards after a
fine run and cross by Miller.
H-T
0-0
Within 5 minutes of the re start
Cambuslang had tested the home keeper. Daisley turned on the edge of the box
and fired in a looping effort that had the Hill keeper scrambling back to tip
it onto the bar but he gathered at the 2nd attempt. Moments later and Daisley
again had the Hill defence in a twist with his mazy run into the box but there
was no one on the end to tap home. In Cambuslang's best spell of the game they
also had appeals and good appeals for a penalty waived away by the man in the
middle. The ball clearly struck a hill defenders arm in the box but the referee
was having none of it. Cambuslang's best chance of the game fell to Kenny
Balmain, he latched onto Gauley's pass and was in on goal with only the
keeper to beat but a fine save by the keeper saw the ball go wide for a corner.
Cambuslang then replaced Daisley with Holmes. Both sides then had a player
booked when Doak and Sherry tangled on the touchline resulting in a yellow apiece.
Paterson for the visitors went close with his volley that flew inches wide. Sub
Holmes then tested the home keeper after a fine run and shot that the keeper
parried away. Maryhill then brought on McLafferty for Sherry and McCusker
replaced Hamill. With the game heading for a draw then came the killer blow.
Substitute McLafferty ran onto a flick but was at least 2 yards offside when
the ball was played but was allowed to go on and calmly hit the ball over the
exposed Cambuslang keeper who could do little about it. This resulted in a mad
rush towards the far side linesman who had failed to give the offside but there
was no changing his or the referee's mind and the goal stood. As the final whistle
blew both Players and management made a b line for the officials who could just
have cost Cambuslang a spot in the new super League next season.
F-T
1-0
Maryhill
Black, Miller, Watson, Gallagher, McDonald, Hamill, Hughes,
McAllister, Young, Nelson & Sherry.
Subs from Meldrum, McLafferty, Melvin, McCusker & Smith
Cambuslang
Wardlaw, Robertson, Taylor, Kavanagh, Watson, Doak, Gauley,
Paterson, Daisley (Holmes 60), Maxwell & Balmain.
Subs not used Gilhaney, McGregor, Devanney & McDougall