WAKE UP CALL FOR TITLE BID
Petershill defeat is a warning for Camby
Cambuslang Rangers coboss Billy Campbell says a humbling by Petershill in a friendly on Monday night will serve as a wake up call, as they aim to win their first league title in five years.
The Somervell Park side end 2021 top of West of Scotland League Conference B and they are hoping the new year will herald their first silverware since lifting the West Region Central First Division title in 2016/17.
But Campbell reckons the heavy 5-2 defeat to Conference C outfit Petershill isn’t the worst thing for his side, who hadn’t played since December 11 due to postponements.
He said: “Sometimes a game like that is a wee attention getter for them.
“It tells them the hard work hasn’t finished. They are not going to come back next year and automatically win games.
“We had a long chat with them after the game to explain exactly that, as there was probably half of the team off the pace of the game.
“Our goalkeeper [Andy Wilson] spilled a free kick and I think that’s the first mistake he’s made for us all season, so that tells you we need to get games in to sharpen everyone up after a few weeks off.
“We were really ring rusty, there’s no doubt about it, and they are a very fit team with great movement. But we’ve taken positives out of it. We wanted a game that would be a tough gig at the best of times.
“It does no harm to bring the boys back down to the ground a wee bit and there was a wee realisation on Monday night that the job isn’t done. “Nothing has been won yet.” Camby hold a six point lead over second place St Cadoc’s and an eight point lead over thirdplace Gartcairn, with a game in hand over both.
However, they bring in the new year on January 8 at home to fourth-place Greenock, who beat St Cadoc’s in their last outing on December 18.
Campbell added: “We need to dig in and make sure we are prepared for the Greenock game on January 8.
“Nothing has been won. We are still a mile off it and Greenock is a prime example of that.
“They are flying. They’ve had a wee change in their management team and brought some players in. They are moving forward now and St Cadoc’s discovered that in their last game [a 3-2 defeat].
“There are no givens in this league and we have to prepare well to make sure we continue the good form we’ve had this year.”