Ref blunders can’t halt Lang
Pumpherston .......... 1 Cambuslang ........... 3 Cambuslang Rangers boss Paul McColl felt the referee ruined a good game of football but was glad to make it into the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup.
Lang took the lead before Pumpherston’s star striker Ally McRitchie was sent off for dissent in the early stages of the match.
The man in the middle then awarded a controversial penalty before waving another red card in the second half to Chris Meikle for what McColl described as a harsh sending off for his player.
The Cambuslang manager said:“It was a shocking performance from the referee for both teams. I know it’s hard for them with no linesman on a big, big park but he spoiled a good game of football.
“He’s sent one of their strikers off for something he said to him and then sent Chris Meikle off for two tackles. Even their coaching staff were laughing at the decision.
“He’s even given them a penalty which never was because there was a clear foul on our defender in the build up.”
Despite a below par performance from the man in black, McColl was just glad his depleted side edged through to the second round of the cup.
Pumphy started the better team but it was Mekile who opened the scoring for the visitors who were missing at least five key men including Dale Simeon.
McRitchie, who had shown early signs of his threat, was upset about an offside decision which lead to the goal and as the teams lined up for the restart, words were exchanged with the ref and the striker’s afternoon ended with a straight red card.
Ian Stewart came to the Lang’s rescue to save a penalty kick before the break.
And Meikle saw red for his two challenges before Callum McRobbie doubled Lang’s lead with a mazy run from the halfway line and a cool finish.
Pumphy, who had continually failed to convert their chances all afternoon, finally got on the score sheet but John Gemmell wrapped up the victory from the penalty spot in injury time.
McColl added:“I was happy with the result but disappointed with the performance. We need to be much better than that if we want to go further in this cup and we’ve got a tough away game against Darvel this weekend.”