Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 0-0 Cambuslang Rangers
Saturday 26th November 2005
at Adamslie Park
Cambuslang Rangers went in search of some much needed Christmas
spirit when they travelled to take on Kirkintilloch at the weekend, but not
much was on offer as both teams battled to a nil - nil draw. It was a freezing
afternoon in Kirkintilloch and this game did nothing to warm the bones up. On
the plus side though Cambuslang did manage to pick up only their 3rd point
of the season and for once they seemed to get the lucky breaks as Rob Roy
squandered a few good chances at the end that would have won the game for them.
With last weeks game v Troon a victim of the weather this was the
game that would see new signing Derek Lomas make his eagerly awaited debut in
the blue of Cambuslang. The new boy had a pretty solid game in his first
outing. Also skipper Andy Noble played arguably his best game since he signed
and was outstanding in the heart of the defence and it was down mostly to him
that Cambuslang kept the home side at bay.
Keeper Stevie McGovern's attitude, praised by the manager last
week, was rewarded when he returned in goal as Colquhoun was rested after he
had played a couple of games with a muscle injury. Also missing were the
transfer listed Paul Burns and Jamie Coulter with the later said to have signed
for Petershill. One other notable absentee was striker Craig Porter who had
failed to show since his substitution in Langs last game.
Onto the game itself which to be honest was a pretty drab affair.
Neither team was able to stamp their authority on the game as the ball bounced
from one box to the other. Cambuslang had the first real chance of the game when
a good run by Gilroy took him into the oppositions box but his shot was
deflected into the side netting. Cambuslang were having the better of the game
and should have opened the scoring on 19 minutes. Wade delivered a fine cross
into the box but Gilroy didn't react quickly enough and he failed to make
contact with the ball. The home sides first effort at goal came after 20
minutes but the striker shot weakly wide from the edge of the box. There then
followed a couple of bookings, 1 for each side. Taylor for Cambuslang was
booked for a late challenge on Gauley and then Gauley was booked for a similar
challenge. With half time Rob Roy almost took the lead but a fine stop by
McGovern kept Gauley's effort out.
H-T 0-0
Cambuslang replaced McGowan with O'Neil at the break,
this was O'Neil's first appearance for a few weeks due to work commitments. The
second half was a pretty drab affair and it was one of those games where you
just wanted the final whistle to go as neither team looked as if they were
going to score all day. Kirkintilloch though had other ideas and they began to
peg Cambuslang back for short spells but the visitors held firm and skipper
Andy Noble lead by example with some superb defending. The home side had a
decent effort on 65 minutes when Gauley shot inches wide from close range.
Cambuslang picked up their second yellow of the game when Gray was cautioned
for a miss times tackle. even a flurry of substitutions failed to liven this
game up, Rob Roy replaced their 2 strikers with another two but they failed to
find the net just like their predecessors. And Cambuslang replaced the hard
working Paul Gilroy with Chris Faulds. As the game headed towards stoppage
time, the time when Cambuslang usually concede, some last gasp defending was
required as Rob Roy pushed for the winner. With 92 minutes showing on the
clock only sheer luck prevented the home side from opening the scoring. Gauley
had a free header 5 yards out but he put the effort wide when he really should
have hit the target and only a minute later Lady Luck was shinning down on the
Cambuslang defence as Gauley's header was net bound all the way but if then
deflected of what appeared to be the arm of Davie Wade, in went inches wide of
the post. A huge sigh of relief from the visiting support and Cambuslang did
hold on for a much needed point.
Lang
McGovern, Gray, McGowan (O'Neil 45), Noble, Church, Menelaws,
McKinnon, Lomas, Gilroy (Faulds 84), Wade & Taylor
Subs Not Used McAdam & Trialist