Cambuslang Rangers 3-2
Rutherglen Glencairn
Sectional
League Cup
Wednesday 21st
August 2002
at Somervell
Park
Cambuslang Rangers and Glencairn went into Wednesday’s
game knowing they both had to win to keep alive any hopes they had of
progressing to the Quarter Finals. The Glens had already beaten the Lang 2-0 so
the home team were out for revenge. As in the first game between the two, it
was Glencairns discipline that lead to there downfall. Two red cards 1 in each
half cost them dear.
Glencairn came racing from the starting blocks
and even had a "goal" by McKay chopped off for offside in the opening
minute. Cambuslang responded with a fine effort on goal from Davidson who
forced the keeper into a fine stop. One of the strangest decisions by the man
in the middle was when Glens keeper clearly handled a pass back but the referee
waived play on. The visitors opened the scoring on 25 minutes and this
time McKay's goal was counted. Lang keeper was slow getting down to the
shot and the ball sneaked in at his near post. Cambuslang had a great chance to
level a minute later but Daisley elected to cross after a fine run into the box
but his cut back was cut out by the Glens defence. On the half hour mark Glens
keeper pulled off another magnificent save this time from Paterson. Glencairn
task was made all the more harder when they were reduced to 10 men on 35
minutes. He stupidly reacted to a tackle from Lang's Webster and kicked out
right under the referee's nose who was left with no option but to send him off.
Cambuslang then went close again with Paterson firing inches wide. Glens then
picked up another booking when Kielty was booked for a challenge on McGregor.
H-T 1-0
Into the second half and Cambuslang
began to use their extra man advantage but were still struggling to find away
past a plucky Glens defence. Daisley fired in a shot, which the keeper got down
well to save. On the hour mark and the Lang got the equaliser. Davidson deep
cross to the back post found McFarlane, who was having another quite game, and
he made no mistake nodding into the net. Cambuslang then brought on Kenny
Balmain for his first appearance of the season, he replaced Stoddart. Billy
Holmes entered the fray in place of Daisley. Only a minute later and the Lang got
their noses in front. The smallest man on the park, Davidson, met Paterson’s
corner and his header flew into the net. Cambuslang then picked up a
booking by Webster after he reacted to dive for Glens full back. Just
Cambuslang were beginning to gain control of the match back came Glencairn with
a spectacular leveller when Stuart Ayton won the ball on the halfway line and
drove forward past a couple of tackles, before unleashing a fierce shot which
flew over the 'Lang keeper, who was slightly off his line into, the back of the
net. The stuffing was finally knocked out the visitors when the Lang regained
the lead with 5 minutes left. Balmain got on the end of a Paterson free kick
and Webster who made no mistake heading home form 3 yards met his nod back
across goal. In the aftermath of the goal celebration Glens were further
reduced to 9 men when McAnninch said something the referee that he clearly
didn't like. The game ended on a sour note when Lang replaced Ferguson who had
picked up an injury in stoppage time. Watson came on and was involved instantly
and over stretched for a ball and fell awkwardly doing some damage to his knee
in the process. The big defender had to leave the field on a stretcher clearly
in some pain. Lang had no subs left so that made the game 10 v 9 but the Lang
held out for the 3 points.
Line up
McGovern, Ferguson (Watson 90), McGregor,
Kavanagh, Webster, Paterson, Stoddart (Balmain 60) Smith, Daisley (Holmes 60)
Davidson, McFarlane
Subs not used Taylor & Galloway
3*** Davidson, Lively little striker causing all
sorts of problems for Glens defence
2** Paterson, The engine room of the Lang's
midfield
1* Ferguson, Did well against the bustling
strikers of Glencairn