Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Survival bid on course
WAYSIDERS/DRUMPELLIER...............24 CUMNOCK.............................................5 Waysiders/Drumpellier took a step towards West Region League Two survival with a well-deserved win over third placed Cumnock at Langloan.
Despite the visitors dominating the opening period, they were getting no change out of the home defence.
It was slightly against the run of play when Jake Jeffs chipped the ball over the Cumnock backs.
The full-back decided to let the ball run but a bad bounce brought the ball back in for Jamie Nortje to score within minutes of his debut, with Ruari Gartshore following up with the conversion.
The W/D pack were particularly impressive as they took control of the scrums and the backs were putting their opposite numbers down at every opportunity.
However, the Cumnock centre broke from inside his own half and danced his way under the posts.
The conversion attempt looked simple enough, but Gartshore sprinted out and managed to charge it down.
The hosts then went on the attack after a scrum on their own 10 metre line. Josh Wilson fed Jake Jeffs who spotted a gap and went for it.
With the Cumnock defence converging in on him he sent in another fine chip forward which sat up nicely for Jay Weir to cross the whitewash. Again, Gartshore made no mistake.
For the next 15 minutes the game was evenly matched and both teams cancelled one another out.
Despite the conditions and no scoring it was a really entertaining match.
Just before the break, W/D were awarded a penalty just inside the Cumnock 10m and opted to kick for goal but Gartshore was just short.
Two minutes into the second half Gartshore was successful with a penalty to stretch the lead.
The forwards were up against a dogged Cumnock defence and were foiled on numerous occasions.
It wasn’t until the 72nd minute that they got their just rewards.
After 10 minutes of constantly hitting the Cumnock line Ross Ferguson finally made it over the line. Gartshore added the extra score.
Coach Steven Wilson was delighted with the response from the players following the festive break and postponed fixtures. He said:“It’s a great result and performance from the team today absolutely outstanding! Everyone turned up and did the job asked. This goes a long way to help us consolidate our position in the league.
“It was our first game since December and after the opening 10 minutes or so, we got into our stride. It was a 22-man effort today and every single one of them stood up and were counted.”