McColl’s delight after victory
McColl’s delight after dramatic away victory
Cambuslang Rangers boss Paul McColl hailed his battling players after they got their league season up and running in dramatic fashion.
Lang trailed twice away to Lesmahagow, but goals from Bob Davidson and Dylan Hendry meant the match was all square heading into the final minute.
With both teams seemingly facing a point each, Stevie Chalmers let fly from distance and his shot crept over the line after the ‘keeper got a hand to it.
The goal was marked by wild celebrations among the ‘Lang players, but there was still time for a twist in the tale.
With 93 minutes on the clock, the referee bizarrely awarded ‘Gow a penalty, only for Stewart in the ‘Lang goal to save the spot kick and send the visiting fans into dreamland.
The performance of the referee was the big talking point after the game, with Gow’s opener also arriving in controversial fashion.
McColl refused to comment on the ref’s performance though, preferring to focus on what his own players achieved on their return to the Central League First Division.
He said: “We played really well, especially in the first half.
“In the second we were OK, but we’ve come back from a goal down twice so we’ve shown some character.
“It was good to see Chalmers get the goal. He’s not had a lot of football recently but he came off the bench and got us the goal.
“Lesmahagow is a tough place to go but I was really pleased with the way we performed. The second half wasn’t as good but we still managed to create a few chances.
“It was a warm day which made it difficult to run for the 90 minutes. It would have been a great game for the neutral to watch.”
Lang will entertain Greenock on Saturday.
The Inverclyde side opened their league season with a 1-0 victory over Wishaw.
Paul is friends with their gaffer Stevie Mooney, and the Lang manager expects a tough game.
“I played in a charity game with Stevie on Sunday, he’s a good guy and he’s got them going well. “They beat Wishaw and they done well in the league cup sections. I don’t know the players he’s brought in but they have clearly performed well.
“It’s a tough league, every team is on par with the others.
“I wouldn’t think any team will run away with the league, but you never know. The favourites are probably Wishaw and St Roch’s.
“We will see how it goes, we’ve got a good squad
“We need another striker and will bring in a few guys.”
Cambuslang Rangers kicked off the new league campaign with a dramatic win away to Lesmahagow.
The Lang went into the game minus last weeks three goal hero midfielder Simeon and also centre back Kerr.
New signing from East Kilbride Lowland side Gebbe started at full back and ‘keeper Iain Stewart returned to the starting line up.
MacBeth went close for the visitors on 13 minutes but his effort found the side netting
Two minutes later, Lang found themselves behind.
The defence was static waiting on the ref to blow his whistle for a clear offside, but it never came and the Gow striker knocked the ball past Stewart, who picked up a booking for complaining to the referee.
Lang tried to respond and Hendry went close with a shot from the edge of the box but it went narrowly over the bar.
Then Kilmartin found himself in space but he shot straight at the keeper.
The visitors deservedly got on level terms just before the break. Gebbe put in a cracking cross to the back post and Davidson’s downward header squirmed under the ‘keeper’s body and into the net.
Lang started the second half on the attack and Kilmartin saw his effort well saved.
Gow then sent a long ball that caught the Lang defence out and the Gow scored from close range.
Cambuslang grabbed an equaliser on 75 minutes when Dylan Hendry fired into the roof of the net from close range.
And a winner would arrive in 89 minutes.
Chalmers collected the ball about 25 yards out and he fired goal ward. The Gow keeper got his finger tips to it but the ball looped up over him and into the net, despite the keeper scrambling to scoop the ball away.
The smiles and jubilation were short lived as the ref awarded the home side a penalty kick three minutes into stoppage time.
It was a harsh decision and justice was done when Stewart pulled off a fine stop to seal the points. Cambuslang Rangers: Stewart, Gebbe (Bohme 67), Hailliday, Nolan (Chalmers 78), Bish, Boylan (Scott 65), MacLeod, MacBeth, Davidson, Kilmartin, Hendry