Simeon turns provider as Glencairn’s run continues
RUTHERGLEN Glencairn tightened their grip on top spot in the Championship and in the process extended their unbeaten run to seven games with the 3-1 triumph over Whitletts Vics on Saturday, but their latest three points haul was no stroll in the park.
The hard working Ayrshiremen provided far too many uncomfortable moments for the liking of Glens boss Willie Harvey whose displeasure over his side’s performance was made abundantly clear when he spoke after the final whistle.
He insisted “We rode our luck a bit out there today and to say I’m anything but disappointed with how we played would be telling a lie.
“Yes we created a lot more clear cut scoring opportunities than Whitletts but the guys just didn’t put things together as well as they can, particularly in and around the penalty box where our killer touch was missing.
“And though we coped quite well with crosses into our own box , I felt Soapy (Stevie Kerr) and goalkeeper Gary Whyte should have dealt better with the corner kick from which Whitletts scored .
“Picking up another three points is very pleasing but knowing how these guys work hard and play hard, I feel they let themselves down with their overall performance today.”
Both teams showed an attacking intent right from the first whistle and Glens full back Ryan Kerr’s lastditch clearance averted a certain goal for the visitors prior to the home team receiving a dream opportunity to open the scoring after 13 minutes. Referee Gary Train awarded them a penalty kick after Vics defender Morgan Brown upended Del Esplin inside the area.
Top-scoring marksman Gary Smith assumed spot kick responsibility but his well-struck effort was too close to goalkeeper Martin Fraser, allowing him to parry the ball out and then get back to his feet to superbly block Smith’s follow-up header on the rebound before a teammate booted the ball over his own crossbar .
The Vics No 1’s heroics were to be all in vain because the resulting corner kick taken by Glens skipper Tony Fraser. The captain’s cross found Ryan Kerr rising totally unmarked to bury a six-yard header beyond the keeper to open the scoring. Fraser came close to adding another with half time approaching when his free kick was headed just wide of the far upright by Smith.
Glencairn came even closer to adding to their advantage early in the second half when Craig McGregor’s header came crashing back off the crossbar, but then came an injury blow as the goalscorer Kerr limped off with a hamstring injury, forcing a defensive reshuffle.
Promotion hopefuls Whitletts were now asserting themselves territorially and there were loud and, it has to be said, justifiable claims for a penalty of their own after top scorer Adam Forsyth was sent crashing as he attempted to latch onto a short passback. But an equaliser arrived in the 65th minute when a Louis Kerr corner was headed home by towering centre back Raymond Buchanan .
The Ayrshiremen now had their tails up and were giving the impression they could take a notable scalp; however, hitherto anonymous Glens midfielder Dale Simeon was to have the final say on the outcome as he sparked into
life over the closing stages.
First, he dribbled his way past two opponents as well as outrushing goalkeeper Marshall, who forced him wide and made the angle too tight for a scoring chance. Within minutes another sparkling foray forward saw him set up team mate Jordan Leyden to sweep the ball home from close range.
Simeon boobed again when missing an open goal after Leyden turned provider, but he made amends deep into injury time after leaving a trail of defenders in his wake before an unselfish pass to Liam Gormley allowed the striker to lash the ball into the net and round off the scoring.