Cup defeat ends Lang’s season
Tie was a thriller but Hurlford managed winning goal
The season finally came to an end for Cambuslang Rangers at the weekend as they bowed out of the West of Scotland Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Both The Lang and Scottish Cup finalists Hurlford put on a pulsating seven-goal thriller infront of a healthy crowd at Somervell Park.
And the result could have gone either way but it was the Ayrshire side who got that vital fourth goal when the score was tied at 3-3 which secured a last four clash with Premier League champions Beith.
Lang were scrambling around trying to get players as some were still suspended or on holiday.
Jordan Halsman and Mark Staunton were missing from their back line and were replaced by Ross McKinnon and Kris Gebbie. Jamie Hay took his place in midfield alongside David Green .
And there was also a call-up for a familiar face in Del Carmichael, who was part of the side that won the league title under Andy Cunningham.
The game itself was a slow burner but once it burst into life it was end to end stuff.
The first notable goalmouth action came on the 28th minute when Lang keeper Ian Stewart had to be alert and produce a fine save to keep his side level. A couple of minutes later and Kris Gebbie stopped a goal bound effort when he headed a shot off the line. But just as the half-time break approached, the visitors took the lead. A hopeful cross into the box was met by Ross Robertson who jumped unchallenged and headed home the opening goal of the game. It was Lang’s second they had conceded since the end of April. However, they found themselves level within a minute of the restart as Craig Hastings headed the ball into the net. Hurlford hit back quickly after once again capitalising on some slack defending from the home side, Callum Watt grabbing his team’s second of the afternoon. It was certainly a great game for the neutral as the referee’s watch struck 50 minutes and Hurlford bagged a third. A miss-kick in front of goal by Gebbie left Jack Whittaker with just Stewart to beat which he duly obliged to put The Ford 3-1 up. Credit to Lang though as they dug deep and dragged themselves back into the game. On the hour mark striker Callum McRobbie , who limped off during last week’s victory over Pollok with a calf injury, pulled a goal back with a fine finish.
Two minutes later and The Wee Gers equalised for the second time in the match.
The club’s Player of the Year Dale Simeon latched onto a through ball and slid it past the Ford goalkeeper Brown to the delight of the home fans.
Cambuslang were the team that looked the more threatening but they were hit with sucker punch on 73 minutes.
Again it was a free header in the box that Lang failed to deal with and Glen Mitchell nodded past Stewart.
In stoppage time Camby had a great chance to take the tie to penalty kicks but the unmarked Simeon watched his free header go wide of the target.