Yoker Athletic 5-0 Cambuslang Rangers
Central Region 1st
Division
Saturday 24th
Match 2007
At Holm Park
Cambuslang Rangers slumped to a new low at the weekend when the
found themselves on the wrong end of 5-0 hammering at the hands of Yoker
Athletic their biggest defeat of the season. The loss leaves Cambuslang in the
drop zone and hopes of avoiding relegation all the more difficult as games
start to run out for the Somervell Park side. They now only have 6 games left
to save their 1st Division place.
The experience of the Yoker side clearly won the day as Cambuslang
could not cope with the physical presence of their opponents and it has to be
said at times over physical.
Cambuslang were not helped with a number of enforced changes to
the side. Keeper Chappell was missing meaning a debut for trialist Craig Lowe,
another player in his second spell at Somervell. Despite conceding 5 goals, the
Lang keeper hardly had a save to make during the game and Cambuslang’s
inability to deal with set plays cost them dearly. Also missing was influential
Jim Kavanagh, ruled out through injury as was defender Stuart Taylor who failed
a late fitness test. Also missing was Rab Wyatt, the striker sitting out the
first of a 3 game ban dished out for his red card the previous week. On the
comeback trail is versatile player Gary Reid, its hoped he might be available
next week after nearly 2 months on the sidelines
The game itself was in doubt still an hour before kick off as the
referee was unhappy with the Holm Park surface. The ball failing to bounce on
certain areas which were covered with sand, but after a chat with both managers
the game was given the go ahead at 1.15pm just 45 minutes before kick off. In
hindsight maybe a cancellation would have suited Cambuslang.
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Lowe Beaten At Near Post |
Zander McMullan Given A Start |
Yokers were one of the few sides below Cambuslang in the table
going into the game but with plenty of games in hand.
The home side opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Keeper Lowe came for
a cross but had the ball taken away from him by Robertson and after a large
scramble in the box where Cambuslang were unable to get the ball clear it was
eventually fired home by Cameron from close range, not the start Cambuslang
wanted. A couple of minutes later and Lang keeper was in the thick of it again,
this time he clearly took and elbow from Yoker’s big centre half. The ref
shocked everyone in the crowd by just brandishing a yellow card to the culprit.
After lengthy treatment Lowe continued but was clearly struggling.
On 24 minutes Lowe produced a fine stop from McClafferty. Yoker
stretched their lead on 30 minutes. A corner to the back post was headed into
the net by the unmarked Yoker striker. Cambuslang’s first effort at goal came
from the boot of Robertson but it flew harmlessly wide of the target.
Cambuslang fell further behind on 33 minutes. The goal was similar to the
previous one, a deep ball into the box was not dealt with and this time
McClafferty headed home from close range.
The heated exchange between Yoker defender and Lang’s Doyle
resulted in a yellow card for both. Both players lucky to stay on the park. The
Yoker full back went right through Doyle who reacted by pushing his opponent,
usually a red card offence, but not on this occasion. At the end of the half
Cambuslang picked up a needless caution when McGuigan was booked for one snipe
too many at the man in the middle.
H-T 3-0
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Lowe Can Only Watch As Lang’s
Defences Breached Again |
Doak Chasing |
Things didn’t get much better in the 2nd half for
Cambuslang as they just didn’t produce anything on the park, the introduction
of Cassidy at McMullan’s expense helped Kondol a bit up front but still
Cambuslang huffed and puffed with no end result.
On the hour mark and Yoker grabbed their 4th of the
game. Divers sloppy defending allowed Yoker in and they made no mistake
slotting past the exposed Lowe yet again. Yokers had clearly taken their foot
off the gas by this point but were still causing the Lang defence all sorts of
problems. Lang skipper McGowan was next into the ref’s notebook for persistent
fouling.
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Cassidy Had To Make Do With Sub Slot |
McGuigan With Another Fine Display |
Cambuslang made a couple of personnel changes when Carson came on
for Robertson and Doyle was replaced by Elliott. Both changes having little
impact in the way the game was going. Yoker completed the rout on 80 minutes. A
quick throw in caught the Lang sleeping and Cameron crossed for McNeil to knock
into the net. This rounded off a thoroughly miserable day for Lang fans and
players.
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Rout Completed With Yokers 5th
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Lang Line Up |
For More Shots From
The Game |
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 |
Trialist Divers McGowan McGuigan Doak Robertson (Carson 60) Doyle (Elliott 60) Coyle Kondol Hughes McMullan (Cassidy 51) Unused Subs Cassidy Taylor |
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