Time to improve Boss happier as Jags respond to heavy Vics defeat
New signingCraig EK Thistle ............. 0 Cambuslang Rngs 1
Paul Thomson
East Kilbride Thistle boss Billy Campbell was pleased with his players’ response to a midweek hammering as they ran Cambuslang Rangers close on Saturday.
The Showpark side were brushed aside on home turf last Wednesday evening, losing 6-1 to Blantyre Victoria in their opening Sectional League Cup match.
But after an ear-bashing from their gaffer at full-time, the Jags upped their level for the visit of Lang on Saturday and narrowly lost out to a Liam Sloan own goal in the second half.
Campbell told the News: “Wednesday was a very tough start for us and we just didn’t perform.
“I explained the expectations to the players after the game and that their performance wasn’t good enough.
“I asked them to think about how they performed individually and told them I was looking for a reaction for the Cambuslang game.
“And I certainly got that because Saturday was a much improved performance. I think we were very unlucky not to take something from the game.
“We’ve lost to a own goal, but I was far happier coming off the pitch on Saturday than I was in midweek.
“I wasn’t a happy bunny on Wednesday and even although we’ve made a bit of progress I’m under no illusions we’ve still got a bit of work to do yet.”
Cambuslang, who play a league above Thistle in the Central District First Division, controlled possession early on but it was Thistle who came closest to opening the scoring in the first half when Aaron Connolly’s freekick clipped the top of the crossbar.
Kris Faulds fired over after good work from Adam Boyle and Ryan Carnwath as the Jags finished the first half in fine fettle.
The Jags handed Craig Hastings, their new loan signing from East Kilbride FC, his debut and his low strike early in the second half forced Lang keeper Jordan Brand into a good stop with his feet.
However, in 58 minutes these missed opportunities came back to haunt Thistle as they fell behind.
A free-kick from the right-hand side by Lang midfielder David Dunn was whipped into the box and Sloan, in his attempt to clear the cross, deflected the ball into the far corner.
Thistle had their keeper Chris Treacy to thank for keeping them in the game in 75 minutes when he produced a strong one-handed save to keep out Jamie McLeod’s bullet header.
Treacy again came to the rescue as he thwarted efforts from McLeod and Bob Davidson in the final 10 minutes.
In stoppage time the Jags almost salvaged a point when the ball broke to Paul McCabe on the edge of the box, but his powerful volley was palmed away to safety by Brand.
It’s now two defeats from two for the Jags, who will hope for better fortunes tonight (Wednesday) when they travel to Vale of Clyde for their penultimate section match, kickoff 7pm, and for Saturday’s trip to Rutherglen Glencairn, kick-off 2pm.