Cambuslang Rangers 0-2 Lanark United
Central Region 1st
Division
Saturday 31st
Match 2007
At
Cambuslang dropped another valuable 3 points in their quest to avoid the dreaded drop. Manager Alan Wardlaw was true to his word and wielded the axe on his mis-firing team, Stewart Taylor, Gary Reid, for his first game in 4 months, Billy Farmer and new Keeper Barry Fraser all came back into the first 11 at the expense of Divers, Robertson, Lowe and McMillan. Changes in positions were also implemented for Doak and Doyle.
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Lang On Rare Attack |
Coyle Quickly Closed Down |
Cambuslang were unsettled early in the match when Gary McGuigan has
to go to hospital after a clash of heads with recent Scotland call up Craig
Stark which resulted in both players requiring treatment, Stark returned to
play whilst McGuigan made his way to hospital, it was later confirmed that he
received 10 stitches to a cut above his right eyebrow. Kavanagh was the obvious
and direct replacement for McGuigan in the heart of the Lang rearguard.
Shortly after the game resumed Lanark took a deserved lead with a
very well worked corner which saw Hanlon strike a fierce low drive into the
bottom left corner of Fraser’s goal from 25 yards. Cambuslang seemed to be
still too far off their men, as has been a problem in recent weeks, they look a
team void of confidence despite the urgings from Wardlaw and Shilliday in the
home dug-out.
Although not imposing themselves in the final third Lang seemed to
be stifling Lanark’s attack only to be hit with a sucker punch when Farmer and
Kavanagh misjudged the bounce of a hopeful through ball which fell kindly for
Miles who lobbed the onrushing Fraser from 20 yards with a terrific piece of
finishing. This seemed to deflate the already exacerbated Wee Gers team.
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Kondol And Doak Close Down |
Reid and Farmer In The Thick Of It |
It was obvious that there were more than a few strong words from the
normally mild mannered Lang gaffer at halftime as Lang seemed to come out with
a new found spirit and determination and took the game to Lanark, balls that
were too timidly given up during the first half were now being fought for all
over the park.
Two changes were made early in the second half with the
introduction of McMillan for Reid and Carson for
Not for the first time this season there were a few strange
refereeing decisions none more so than Lanark being awarded an extremely soft
penalty when Doak was adjudged to have fouled a Lanark player who was clearly
backing into Doak during a Lanark set piece. However justice was done when
McGrotys spot kick was saved as Fraser dived to his right to hold the spot
kick.
Cambuslang continued to huff and puff and McMillan who had replaced
the tiring Reid had the ball in the net but was adjudged to be offside, this
was really the only occasion Cambuslang threatened Lanark, a concerning aspect
for the Manager, but with Cassidy and Wyatt returning over the next week should
hopefully provide him with some comfort and attacking options.
However, despite the increased endeavour there is a lack of quality with most of Cambuslangs play, if Manager Wardlaw was in any doubt just how much work he has on his hands he is certainly under no illusion now. The Manager has now had time to assess the current squad, both those he inherited and those he enlisted and no doubt has recruitment plans for next season, but it is this seasons squad which must perform to a much higher standard if The Lang are to be playing in this division next season.
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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 (Fraser) Doyle McGowan McGuigan (Kavanagh 12) Farmer Coyle Taylor ( Doak Kondol Hughes Reid (McMullan 80) Robertson Divers |
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