Renfrew 2-1 Cambuslang Rangers
Rockware Glass
Super League 1st Division
Saturday 19th
October
at Western Park
Cambuslang Rangers failed to capture the form
that saw then defeat league leaders Troon last weekend and were on the
wrong end of a 2-1 score line when they travelled to Renfrew. The Frew were in
search of their first league points of the season. Despite the close scoreline
Cambuslang can think themselves a bit lucky that the home side didn't add a
couple of more goals.
Cambuslang were also forced into signing a
keeper after both theirs were injured on Thursday night at training, a heat
lamp was to blame for serious burns to both of them. The stand in keeper, who
was allegedly 42, had a great game between the sticks and prevented the home
side from scoring a few more goals. The big keeper could do nothing about the
two goals, which were wonder strikes that any keeper would have struggled to
keep out.
Cambuslang dominated the opening part of the
game with very little shown from Renfrew. Cambuslang had to rely on their stand
in keeper as early as the 5th minute; he pulled of a fine stop after Cuthbert
found space in the box. The keeper was tested again when this time Kenna tested
him from long range but the keeper made an easy save. Cambuslang opened the
scoring in quite bizarre circumstances. Dignam and Stoddart linked up and Stoddart
met Dignam’s lay off and his shot looked to be covered by the Fre keeper only
for it to take a wicked bounce and over the keeper and into the net. Renfrew
picked up the first booking of the afternoon when Ross was yellow carded for a
crude challenge on Kavanagh. Lang’s Balmain who petulantly kicked the ball away
quickly followed him. The home side found themselves back on level terms after
a stunning strike by Barr. He picked the ball up just inside the Lang half and
from 25 yards out unleashed a thunderous effort that the Lang keeper could do
nothing about as it found the top corner. Cambuslang almost went in front
straight from the centre, Dignam's cross came back off the face of the cross
bar with the keeper flapping at thin air.
H-T 1-1
Cambuslang were dealt a blow when McGregor
failed to show for the second half, Foster replaced him. The home side began to
stamp their authority on the game at began to run the middle of the park.
Renfrew should have edged in front when Farquarson had a free header 6 yards
out but he put it over the bar. A minute later and Ross tested the Lang keeper
with a shot on the turn that he saved well. Renfrew's pressure finally paid off
on the hour mark, and it was another stunning strike that beat the keeper all
ends up. Richie Barr again firing in from distance but the sheer speed of the
shot beat the goalie. Cambuslang should have had a penalty kick 5 minutes later
when Dignam was clearly hauled back in the box but the man in the middle waived
play on, much to the annoyance of the travelling support. Cambuslang replaced
Galloway with Daisley in an attempt to take something from the game. The big
sub almost made an immediate impact when the keeper tipped his free header at
the back post over the bar. Daisley then turned provider when Carmichael met
his cross but the effort was easily saved. Cambuslang then replaced Stoddart
with Paterson. In stoppage time Cambuslang almost grabbed what would have been
an undeserved equaliser. Daisley met Balmain corner and his header came back
off the bar for another let off for the home side. Renfrew held on for the last
few seconds and recorded their first points in the league this season.
Lang line up
Bowles, Ferguson, McGregor (Foster 45),
Kavanagh, Webster, Balmain, Stoddart (Paterson 80), Galloway (Daisley 70),
Carmichael, Dignam, McFarlane
Subs not used Holmes & Doak