Cambuslang Rangers 0-1
Arthurlie
Central League Cup
Semi-Final
Friday 23rd May
at Somervell Park
Cambuslang
missed out on ending the season with a cup final appearance after going down in
the semi-final at the hands of Super League Leaders Arthurlie. A one goal
defeat was enough to finish of the season for the Somervell Park side who must
now regroup and prepare for next season. It was ironic that it was the visitors
defeat last weekend v Cumbernauld that would send Cambuslang back to the
Central First Division.
Cambuslang made
a couple of changes from the game with Johnstone because on injuries and
suspensions. Carmichael was still suspended, Gary McGregor, Paul Dignam and
Alan Foster were all missing through injury and Alan McCrae was unavailable.
With the Cambuslang squad stretched to the limit manager Andy Cunningham
drafted in a trialist to play up front alongside Kenny Balmain.
Cambuslang found
themselves under some early pressure and some poor finishing from the visitors
prevented them from taking an early lead. McKenzie should have opened the
scoring on 5 minutes when all he had to do was stick out a leg but the Lie
striker missed the ball allowing it to run out to safety. Cambuslang didn't
register a shot at goal until the 15th minute when Ferguson shot wildly
over the bar. Very little was being seen from the home side especially in front
of the Arthurlie goal. Lang keeper Stevie McGovern prevented the visitors from
opening the scoring with a fine double save, firstly he failed to hold a
McKenzie shot but recovered well to block the follow up and the danger was
eventually cleared. Arthurlie had appeals for a penalty waived away after
McKenzie went down in the box under a challenge from Fennie but the referee
waived play on much to the annoyance of the travelling support.
H-T 0-0
The visitors
picked up an early booking at the start of the second half when McKenzie
chopped down Ferguson. Cambuslang replaced Stoddart with Paterson. Balmain went
close with a header that just failed to hit the target but yet again Cambuslang
failed to work the home keeper from a good position. Cambuslang replaced
Trailist with Daisley with 15 minutes remaining. The visitors grabbed what turned
out to be the winner only a minute later. Substitute Smith saw his shot blocked
but the ball fell kindly for McKenzie who fired into the roof of the net. With
Cambuslang pushing for an equaliser they were caught short at the back on a few
occasions and could easily lost by more goals but it was the one goal that did
it and Arthurlie now go into Fridays Final.
McGovern, Doak,
Galloway, Fennie, Kavanagh, Webster, Balmain, Stoddart (Paterson 60), Holmes,
Ferguson & McFadden (Daisley 80)
Subs
not used Wardlaw ,Watson and Taylor