Cambuslang
Rangers 2-1 Largs Thistle
Rockware Glass
Super League 1st Division
Saturday 26th
October
At Somervell Park
Cambuslang responded in the perfect manner by
putting the disappointment of last weekend’s poor performance firmly behind
them. Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Largs so a marked improvement both in spirit and
attitude. Manager Andy Cunningham made several changes to that side that went
down 2-1 to Renfrew. Out went Dignam, Stoddart and Kenny Balmain who was
injured. Fay, Doak, who was making his first appearance of the season due to
injury and Daisley, who got a rare start too, took their places. The
other news was that keeper Stevie McGovern had recovered enough to play in
goals after the burns he received from the treatment using the heat lamp.
Lang's other keeper Alan Wardlaw was ruled out for the same reason, and it
could be a couple of weeks before the veteran keeper returns.
Cambuslang and Largs didn't seem to be too keen
with the heavy park and it was a big surprise hat the game was on in the first
place but credit to the ground staff at Somervell and the park held up pretty
well too.
The visitors were dealt a blow as early as the
5th minute when they had to replace Donnachie with Smith after he picked up an
injury. Cambuslang's Daisley fired in an effort that went narrowly wide of
the target with the Largs keeper rooted to the spot. The home side should have
opened the scoring on 10 minutes. James Fay found himself in on goal but he saw
his effort superbly saved by the Largs keeper. The first booking of the
afternoon went to Largs, Meechan with a crude challenge on McGregor. A similar
challenge a minute later, this time from Sheridan went unpunished clearly
highlighting the inconsistency teams have to deal with. The home side had
another good chance when McFarlane headed to Daisley but before the big striker
could get the ball from under his feet the Largs defence had blocked his
effort. Largs had a golden opportunity to take the lead when a good run down
the bye line from Meechan who then delivered a superb ball across the face of
goal but there were no takers to tap home and the Lang defence eventually
cleared the danger.
H-T 0-0
After a highly uneventful first half Cambuslang
upped the tempo a little and Largs didn't have a shot on target in the whole of
the first half. The visitors task was made all that more difficult when they
were reduced to 10 men. Meechan the sinner for a second booking. The home side
took full advantage and opened the scoring on the hour mark. Webster found
Daisley on the edge of the penalty box and the Lang man still had a lot to do
but he turned superbly before firing into the far bottom corner and put the
Lang deservedly in front. The goal will do the world of good for a player that
looked to be low on confidence. Cambuslang were forced into a change when
Carmichael took a blow to the face and Holmes replaced him. Cambuslang failed
to kill off the visitors who were coming into the game more and they grabbed an
equaliser with 10 minutes left. it was the visitors first shot at goal and it
found the back of the net. Substitute Smith hitting home from close range after
the Lang failed to clear the danger. Cambuslang almost got their noses in front
instantly but a fine block by Largs Sheridan stopped Daisley's fine cross into
the box from reaching Cambuslang players at the back post. Cambuslang replaced
McFarlane with Dignam in an attempt to get the three points. Just as it looked
to be heading for a share of the spoils up stepped Craig Ferguson who had other
ideas. He picked the ball up just inside the Largs half and set on a run
down the touchline before cutting inside and unleashed a peach of a shot that
found it's way into the back of the Largs net, this was some strike from the
young defender. The goals sent the place wild both fans and players delighted
with the run and shot from the young lad. The winner as it turned out to be
laid to rest the poor performance of last week and keeps the Lang in touch with
the leaders at the top of the league.
Lang Line Up
McGovern, Doak, McGregor, Kavanagh,
Webster, Paterson, Fay (Stoddart 89), Ferguson, Carmichael (Holmes 75), Daisley
and McFarlane (Dignam 87)
Subs not used McCrae & Foster