Cambuslang Rangers 2-3 Kilwinning
Rangers
Stagecoach Super 1st Division
Saturday 22nd October
At Somervell Park
Cambuslang
Rangers will be kicking themselves after this one. A narrow 3-2 loss at the
hands of Kilwinning but the score line fails to tell the real story of this
match. A fluke winner form the visitors 3 minutes into injury time was a
sickening blow for the home side who had showed that they might just be capable
of getting out of the position they find themselves in...
This was
arguably Cambuslang's best performance of the season but they still ended up
empty handed....
Lang
management rang the changes yet again in an attempt to find that winning
formula, but the biggest surprise was when midfielder Jamie Coulter found
himself warming the bench, Jamie has been one of Cambuslang's better players
this season.
Cambuslang
went with the trialist keeper for the 2nd game in a row, but regular number 1
Stevie McGovern was ruled out anyway with chicken pox. Menelaws returned to the
starting line up as did Faulds. Wade was still suspended.
It looked an
uphill struggle all the way in this difficult game for Cambuslang and things
were made even harder when they fell behind after only 5 minutes. Armstrong
lost his marker McGowan allowing the Ayrshire man time to fire past the Lang
keeper, it was a poor goal to give away at such an early stage in the
proceedings. It took Cambuslang a little while to get into their stride but on
20 minutes they should have found themselves on level terms. Porter threw over
a cross which was met by Menelaws but he fired over the bar when he should have
done better. 2 minutes later and Menelaws made amends for that earlier miss.
Defender Stewart Taylor delivered a fine cross that Menelaws fired into the
back of the net. Lang defender Kerr Gray picked up a needless booking when he
had hold of Armstrong's jersey right in front of the referee. Cambuslang were
beginning to create some chances something they have not been doing of late.
Timmons forced the Kilwinning keeper into action when he turned his drive round
the post. Despite all Cambuslangs good work, they fell behind yet again. Poor
defending once more allowed Armstrong a free header which he duly despatched
past the Lang keeper on the half hour mark.
Menelaws for
Cambuslang picked up a booking and then both team were forced to make changes
due to injuries. The home side replaced Timmons with Coulter and the visitors
lost Ballantyne with hamstring trouble and he was replaced with Arthur.
There was no
more action in the first half and the visitors went in 2-1 to the good.
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Kilwinning On The Attack |
Lang Trialist clears Another
Kilwinning Attack |
Cambuslang were the better side in the second half and
just how Kilwinning left with the 3 points is baffling.
Only 1 minute
after the restart and Cambuslang almost levelled. Taylor's cross beat everyone
but came back off the junction of post and bar. 2 minutes later and Porter was
presented with a chance but his weak effort was easily saved. Cambuslang's
early pressure paid off on 47 minutes when Menelaws grabbed his and Lang's
second of the game. Some fine interpassing between Menelaws and Porter resulted
in the later firing home Porters pass. The visitors picked up a booking when
Stevenson chopped down Faulds. Cambuslang almost got their noses in front when
Taylor's cross was inches away from being knocked home, Menelaws at full
stretch just couldn't get there. The last 20 minutes saw Cambuslang play some
of their best football of the season and also create as many clear cut chances
as they had all season. Cambuslang's biggest sinner was Craig Porter who missed
numerous chances to bury Kilwinning out of sight but his poor finishing cost
the Lang dear. On 71 minutes Porter was in with only the keeper to beat but the
Lang striker hesitated and maybe had too much time but his weak effort was easily
saved by Houston in the Kilwinning goal. 3 minutes later and Porter missed
another glorious chance, fed through by Coulter a 1 on 1 with the keeper
resulted in another poor finish from the Lang striker. A minute later and
Cambuslang rattled the post through Chris Faulds. He was replaced a minute
later by Burns. Things seemed to be getting worse for the home side. Trialist
keeper picked up a stomach injury but Lang had no replacement on the bench
which meant he had to soldier on. Cambuslang were still attacking the visitors
who were camped in their own half for most of the second 45. Menelaws played in
Porter but yet again the Cambuslang man failed to trouble the Kilwinning
keeper, he fired over the bar from 12 yards. With only minutes remaining,
Porter had an effort saved on the line after his back header seemed to catch
everyone off guard. But Houston gathered at the second attempt. Cambuslang
found themselves down to 10 men when the trialist defender picked up a 2nd
yellow card, this time for an innocuous push in the box, a bit harsh to say the
least. Cambuslang had to play the remainder with 10 men and an injured keeper.
Just as it looked like the visitors were going to hang on for a point a cruel
blow came Cambuslang's way. 3 minutes into stoppage time Donnelly sent over a
cross that looped over the keeper and agonisingly found the back of the net.
Even a fit keeper would have been unable to prevent this cruel ending.
Lang
management must be wondering now just what have they got to do to get a win
from this side? They played some of their best football of the season but yet
again ended pointless...