Simeon puts Lang on the way
Larkhall Thistle ...... 0 Cambuslang .......... 2 Cambuslang Rangers’impressive start to the season continued as they dominated Larkhall at Gasworks Park.
The visitors were missing no fewer than six players for various reasons including Chris Meikle who was injured, and John Gemmell who was on holiday. Paul Hewitt and Adam Boyle were handed starting slots.
The Jags finished runners-up in the Central District First last season so the Lang knew it would be far from an easy game.
However, it was all one-way traffic in the first half. Cambuslang had a great chance in the opening five minutes to take the lead. But a fine stop from former Lang keeper Stuart Thomson denied Hewitt’s header to keep the scores level.
A minute later and the shot-stopper was at it again as he produced a stunning save to touch another Hewitt header round the post.
But Thomson was to be undone in the 20th minute. Hewitt was involved again as he sent Dale Simeon on his way and the Lang midfielder made no mistake to blast home from 15 yards, his effort going in off the underside of the bar.
Five minutes later and Lang were in total control when Simeon turned provider to send a dangerous free-kick to the back post for captain Kris Gebbie to stoop and head the ball into the net unchallenged.
Lang forced Thomson into a string of fine stops thereafter and Simeon had a chance to double his tally but fired over before Thomas Kilmartin struck his shot wide.
A rare chance was presented to the home side after Hal Bohme gave away possession but Iain Stewart in the Lang goal saved his blushes with a good save.
Despite an improved Larkhall performance in the second half, they couldn’t find a way past the Lang defence and when they did, Stewart was on hand to deal with anything that got through.
On the hour mark Cambuslang rattled the crossbar from Chris Smith’s effort and sub Liam Gormley set up Hewitt in the closing stages but the big striker was unable to take advantage and shot just wide.