Maybole 1-2 Cambuslang Rangers
Stagecoach Super 1st Division
Saturday 20th November
Cambuslang
Rangers bounced back from the disappointing Cup exit last weekend to record
arguably their most important result of the season. It would have been so easy
for the Lang players to be feeling sorry for themselves and defeat here could
all but have ended the Somervell Park sides season.
Cambuslang
squad frailties were exposed big time as both Manager and Assistant had to be
named as subs. With Paterson and McCrae
still on holiday and McGregor, Doak and Holmes on the injured
list the bench could not even be filled.
Despite all
this Cambuslang still came away with a vital three points that come the end of
the season could be priceless.
Derek
Carmichael
returned to the starting line up after injury and probably earlier than the
management team would have liked as he hadn't played any first team football
for a few months. The Lang midfielder though turned in an impressive match and
only missed out on the Man of the Match award due to Willie Galloway's
tireless running up and down the flanks.
A cagey
opening from both sides saw them feel each other out before any real threats
appeared. Cambuslang had a half chance on 15 minutes when Brown
found himself in on goal but some hesitation allowed Keeper McDonald
to save at the Lang strikers feet.
On 20 minutes
the home side carved open the Lang defence and Proctors shot
from the left was easily saved by Rowan. On the half hour mark,
McCarroll should have done better when he worked space for
himself but he pulled his effort across the face of gaol when a shot looked the
better option. Maybole were showing very little in front of the Lang goal and
when they did find away through, Rowan looked as if he would
stop anything that was thrown at him. Indeed the Lang keeper was called into
action when McFadden tested him from long range but the effort was saved. On 35
minutes Lang's Galloway Cut in from the left but his effort was
half saved by McDonald but the power of his shot saw it spin
into the net for the opener.
Cambuslang
fans were still celebrating when Maybole drew level. A high ball into the box
was not dealt with by the Lang defence allowing McFadden all
the time needed to head past Rowan.
H-T 1-1
Cambuslang
stated the second half on the attack and Brown had a chance
after Galloway played him in but he lost possession after being
crowded out by Gardener and Campbell, a
stubborn duo, in the Maybole defence. Cambuslang found themselves on the back
foot and Rowan was forced into another fine stop this time from
Hosies diving header.
Cambuslang
scored what turned out to be the winner on the hour mark. An impressive return
to the side by Carmichael was rewarded with the gaol that
sealed the points. The equally impressive Galloway fed Brown who in turn
slipped the ball to Carmichael who slotted past McDonald
from 12 yards. 10 minutes later and the visitors cud have wrapped up the game
but Galloway elected to cross the ball when a shot at goal
might have been more rewarding. Only a minute later McCarroll
found himself in the same position and he produced similar results. Cambuslang
brought on Young for Brown and also gave Archer
a run out in a bid to run down the clock. The home side started to pound the
visitors defence. Several chances were squandered by Proctor
and McFadden up front. But Cambuslang held on for the three
points that could prove priceless come May.
Lang Rowan,
Fisher, Burns, Feenie, McGrath, Coulter, Carmichael, Galloway, Brown (Young
80), McCarroll & Tyczynski (Archer 85)
Subs Not Used
Cunningham and Lowe