Cambuslang
Rangers 1-2 Cumbernauld
Abercorn Builders Premier League
Saturday 20th October
at Somervell Park
Cambuslang Rangers dismal run
continues after they suffered their third defeat in a row when Cumbernauld
United left Somervell with all 3 points last weekend. The visitors came into
the match sitting at the bottom of the table with only 1 point from their
previous 4 league games. Cambuslang could not afford to lose this one but that
is exactly what they did and continued their slide down the league table.
The home side went into the game
still without injured skipper Billy Holmes (back), Kenny Balmain (foot) but
Stewart Taylor had recovered in record time from a broken toe. Stuart Maxwell
came into the starting line up after coming off the bench v Johnstone and
scoring the Lang's goal. Still no place for Mattie Coulter and also Graham Doak
was dropped to the bench.
In recent weeks Cambuslang have
struggled to find the back of the net and today's game was to be no different.
Cumbernauld were quite happy to hit Cambuslang on the break and almost caught
them after 10 minutes when Paisley had his effort charged down and cleared. A
mix up in the Lang defence lead to the visitors first goal, Devanney was short
with his pass back to keeper Wardlaw who had to stretch to get a block in but
the ball rebounded to Paisley 18 yards out who calmly slotted into the empty
net. Cambuslang went in search for an equaliser and Gauley almost provided it
but the Nauld keeper pulled off a fine stop, despite losing his footing he
managed to block while on his knees. On the half-hour mark Gauley capitalised
on a defensive blunder but his shot went inches wide. Cumbernauld should have
made it two but Wardlaw pulled off an excellent stop from Morrison. Cambuslang
went in at half time just the one behind after Wardlaws stop.
H-T 0-1
Cambuslang started the second
half a little better and Devanney tested the keeper with a long-range effort.
Maxwell had fine run and shot that was deflected just wide. Cumbernauld's
McPhee was first into the referee's notebook for a poor challenge on Maxwell.
Cambuslang had an excellent chance to draw level after Mitchell's headed back
across goal came to Watson but his effort was blocked by the keeper who knew
little about it. Cambuslang then had Richardson booked for dissent. Cumbernauld
almost doubled their lead on 66 minutes. Substitute McClintock rattled the
woodwork with a blistering drive. Cambuslang replaced Taylor with Gilhaney in
an attempt to get an equaliser. Maxwell then saw his viscous in swinging corner
cleared off the line. With 10 minutes remaining the visitors grabbed the killer
second. McClintock waltzed past 3 Lang defenders who failed to put in a decent
tackle before despatching the ball past the despairing Wardlaw. This seemed to
kick the home side into life who started to play a bit., and indeed began to
make chances for themselves but it was all too little too late. Mitchell pulled
a goal back within a minute when he nodded in after the initial shot by Daisley
was blocked and as the ball spun up in the air Mitchell stuck his head on it to
nod home and give the Lang a bit of hope. Maxwell picked up his mandatory
booking for dissent and then almost grabbed a dramatic equaliser when he fired
in a free kick but the keeper did well to tip it onto the cross bar.
F-T 1-2
Line up
Cambuslang
Wardlaw, Devanney, Taylor
(Gilhaney 75), Kavanagh, Watson, Richardson, Gauley, Mitchell, Daisley, Maxwell
& Paterson
Subs not used Dunn, McDougall,
Doak & Coulter.
Cumbernauld
McLaughlin, Kelly, Young,
McPherson, Keddie, Rae, Martin, G McPhee, Paisley, Morrison & Thomson
Subs from Wilson, Cochran, K
McPhee, Glancy & McClintock