No.1 FOR JUNIORS Shire shore it up to dump Darvel out of EveningTimesCup
GLASGOW Perthshire manager Billy Adams praised his side’s doggedness after they narrowly beat Darvel 1-0 on Saturday to set up an Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final clash with Cambuslang Rangers.
The resolute Keppoch Park centre back pairing of Mark Thomson and Davie Kirkwood kept the Ayrshiremen at bay as they struggled to build on Fraser Malcolm’s early goal.
And a proud Adams said: “We had played only one game in the eight weeks leading up to today so it speaks volumes about the players that they have managed to maintain their fitness levels and edge.
“And we were only able to name two substitutes because five regulars were posted missing for various reasons.
“It was tough going out there at times yet we probably deserved to edge things on the balance of play.”
Only three minutes had been played when a missed sliding challenge by Darvel full-back Martin Findlay allowed the ball to be shuttled wide to the experienced Malcolm and he cut inside past another defender before despatching a low 20yard shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Davie Markey.
The goalscorer said afterwards: “Although I play down the left flank my right foot is the stronger so it’s natural for me to be coming infield to have a pop at goal and thankfully my shot found the net.
“I thought we might go for the jugular after scoring so early but instead we sat too deep in looking to protect our lead and Darvel were allowed to get into the game.”
The visitors’ attacking riposte to going a goal behind brought loud penalty claims as Jordan Ryan was downed inside the box but whistler Ryan Oliver was having none of it.
And an even better chance presented itself when Greg Vernon was sent clean through on goal, however the striker made a hash of rounding Shire keeper Chris Calder and was blocked. And Darvel winger Jordan Ryan will probably feel he should have done better than find the side netting with a close-range effort.
The second half saw defences on top and frustrations boiled over to bring a spate of yellow cards before speedy Shire frontman Craig Smith went past a couple of opponents in 65 minutes to fire a shot just wide of target.
A Jamie Henderson header hit the top of the crossbar in the later stages before a further bout of pressure saw two scoring attempts cleared off the line before the final whistle.
Darvel’s dejected gaffer Scott Clelland admitted afterwards: “My disappointment comes from knowing the players haven’t done themselves justice today. They are capable of so much better.
“The late flurry where we have come close to snatching an equaliser cannot disguise the fact we lacked a cutting edge and had very few shots on the Perthshire goal.”
CAMBUSLANG Rangers earned their Evening Times Champions Cup berth after clinching the Central First Division title with a dramatic 4-3 victory away to Neilston.
Everything appeared to be going to plan when goals from Thomas “Deco” Kilmartin, Craig Hastings and John Gemmell (pen) helped the The Lang forge a 3-1 lead over their hosts after Alan Diack’s strike.
But youngster Martin Curren netting a quickfire brace for the Brig O’Lea men appeared to have kyboshed title dreams until a last-minute penalty which Kilmartin fired home to spark wild scenes of celebration.
Elsewhere, East Kilbride Thistle confirmed their First Division place for next season after Ross Gillan’s headed goal earned a 1-0 win at home to Newmains United.
Glenafton were crowned champions of the Super Premier Division on the back of a 2-0 victory over rivals Rob Roy as challengers Auchinleck Talbot fell to a 3-0 defeat away to Beith.
Keiran McAnespie’s Clydebank also won promotion from the Super First Division with a 4-1 triumph over Shettleston. But Girvan (with two games left to play) are just four points behind the Bankies thanks to Tony Murphy net- ting the only goal of the game against Renfrew.
At the other end of the table, Maryhill moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season following a 2-2 draw at home to Irvine Meadow.
But Maryhill face a tough test tonight when travel to face would-be champions Girvan while basement rivals Cumbernauld United host Rutherglen Glencairn.
And there’s a vital Central First Division clash taking place at Craighead Park where Lesmahagow will suffer relegation if they lose by a two-goal margin against Neilston.