MATCH REPORT: CAMBUSLANG SEE OFF GREENOCK TO MAKE IT THREE WINS IN A ROW
GREENOCK VS CAMBUSLANG
SATURDAY 31ST JULY 2021
2PM KICK OFF
RAVENSCRAIG STADIUM
WEST OF SCOTLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE
With both sides going into this match on decent early form it was always going to be a tight encounter between the two clubs.
Within the first ten minutes of the game neither side really took advantage with both teams having spells going forward with no out-and-out attempts at goal until Scott Williamson hit a few shots which were all blocked and eventually turned wide for a corner.
In the eleventh minute the referee judged Lee McLelland to have handled the ball as a throw-in bounced over the head of Ryan Stewart and onto the hand of an unsuspecting McLelland as the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
The league's top scorer, James Marks stepped up and placed the ball straight down the middle which Andy Wilson could only get fingertips to as the ball struck the net to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Another handball would be awarded shortly after as a John Gemmell header fell onto the arm of Scott Patterson just outside the Greenock 18-yard box. A free kick would be awarded which Gemmell himself stepped forward to take, however his effort was deflected by the wall and over the bar for a Cambuslang Rangers corner.
In the 23rd minute a push on Scott Williamson resulted in a free kick which was taken quickly by Gordon Dick, into the feet of Williamson but the onrushing Greenock goalkeeper, Graham Black was out quickly to block.
Just a minute later Cambuslang Rangers would grab an equaliser as a pinpoint corner delivery from Jay Nelson was met by an unmarked John Gemmell who’s header bounced off the ground and into the top left corner to make it 1-1 after 25 minutes.
Another free kick in a dangerous area was awarded to Cambuslang in the 32nd minute after Gordon Dick was brought down by Greenock midfielder, Liam McGuinness. Gemmell once again stepped upup and this time he got the ball over the wall but over the bar also.
A good spell of play from Greenock worried the Cambuslang backline but Lee McLelland was able to turn a low cross wide for a corner just five minutes before half-time.
There was time for another chance before the break as Nelson attempted a low, long-range shot but it failed to trouble Black between the posts, before the referee blew his whistle for half-time shortly after.
After play resumed it would be Greenock who created the first real chance as Adam Houlihan's header forced a magnificent one-handed save from the outstretched Wilson to the delight of the traveling support as they sung his name.
John Gemmell would be the first player to pick up a booking as his tangle with Dylan McLaughlin was ruled as a cautionable offence in the 59th minute.
Ten minutes later the Camby would have the ball in the goal as a short corner was played and worked back to Ryan Stewart who’s cross was met by the majestic heel of Stevenson into the path of Nelson who’s low effort from outside the box sneeked through into the bottom corner to put Cambuslang Rangers into a 2-1 lead.
After a spell of both sides failing to register an attempt at goal Ryan Corr's diving header was matched with a comfortable catch from Andy Wilson in the Cambuslang Rangers goal.
In the 79th minute it would be the Lang's turn to threaten as some good play down the right from Christie lead him to pass to Parker (who replaced Williamson just a few minutes prior) before Parker slipped in Nelson who’s shot from inside the Greenock area flew over the bar for a goal kick.
With just 5 minutes remaining Kieran Christie picked up a booking after a late challenge on goalkeeper, Graham Black.
With the game approaching the 90th minute Greenock would try to create a flurry of chances, starting off with a free kick which went to the back post but McLaughlin failed to put it back into the danger area.
Game management was the message as the Lang tried to see the game out and claim all three points with Christie & Stewart shielding the ball to win free kicks in the corner. Greenock managed to regain the ball and flooded the penalty area in injury time as they sent the goalkeeper up for two corners in the final seconds.
After a foul John Gemmell picked up a second yellow card and was ordered off before the referee blew for full time.
Cambuslang Rangers Lineup:
Wilson
Reid
C. McLean
Nelson
Griffin
Gemmell
Williamson (75)
McLelland
Dick (65)
Stewart
Stevenson
Substitutes:
Farmer, Parker (75), Richford, D. McLean, Collins, Christie (65), Jiminez
Greenock Lineup:
G. Black
Docherty
Patterson
Cunningham
J. Black
McLaughlin
Marks
Alexander
Lavelle
McGuinness
Houlihan
Substitutes:
Dillon, Brown, Corr, Storrie, McGachy, Trialist