Game closer than score suggests

Cambuslang Rangers co-manager John Doyle says his injury-ravaged side were let down by their attitude on Saturday.

Although they are carrying a squad of around 22 players, John and co-boss Paddy Flannery are set to dip into the transfer market in a bid to ease the crisis that has stripped the side of key players.

The Lang were ravaged by injuries and players missing on Saturday included Marriott, Gaffney, S Easton, Grierson, O’Malley, Finnigan, and these are players would normally start for the Lang.

On a heavy park, it was a drab first 45 minutes, with very little being offered by the home side.

However, Lang were awarded a penalty when Cusack was hauled down on the hour mark and Paul Burns stepped up to put Lang in front.

But that was as good as it got for the Lang as they conceded two goals in four minutes right after taking the lead.

Shire took centre and ran up the other end and levelled before Lang conceded possession and Shire made the most by grabbing another.

While Lang pushed for an equaliser late on they were hit on the counter and lost a third at the death.

Co-manager John Doyle said: “This was the complete opposite of what we wanted.

“We were down to the bare bones, with just 13 players fit, and we had to reshuffle the whole midfield and defence, and we had to bring in some guys who weren’t fully fit, so we could get a team on the park.

“In terms of the game, it was 50-50 in the first half, and I was pleased when we got ourselves in front. Unfortunately, we shot ourselves in the foot straight away and conceded two goals pretty much straight away.

“We should have had the strength to hold on for a longer period of time, and that’s what’s really frustrating for me. I was very disappointed in the guys and their attitude, as we should have been able to go in front, and then sit in and hold on for at least the next 15 minutes to defend the lead.

“After Perthshire got in front, we changed things around and were playing with one at the back as we pushed them back trying to get an equaliser.

“Then, in stoppage time, Perthshire broke upfield and got their third, which was really disappointing.

“The scoreline looks like it was a pretty clear win for Perthshire, but the game was defintiely much closer than the 3-1 suggests.

“I’m not saying we deserved the win, as Perthshire were the better team, but if we’d have got the draw we would have stolen a point.

“But the main thing for me was how disappointed I was in our attitude, when we could have done much better.”