CAMBUSLANG RANGERS v EAST CRAIGIE
(Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round)

A trip into the unknown for the Craigie boys who returned to action following a three week weather-induced break. The hosts, the Lang or the Wee Gers as they are known, play their football in the West Region Championship which is on a par with the league in which the Shipbuilders from Dundee play. Currently 11th in the table with just three wins from 12 this Junior Cup tie was perhaps a welcome relief from their poor league form for Cambuslang. On the other hand East Craigie were maybe just relieved to get back to playing football. A healthy crowd and a noisy drummer greeted the teams onto the Somervell Park pitch on a very cold but dry day in South Lanarkshire. Overnight rain had left the grass looking a little long and also a tad slippery so the finer arts of footballing skills would be at a premium.

The first chance of the game fell to East Craigie's Adam Brown who was allowed to run through on goal unchallenged but his shot from wide on the right was blocked by the keeper. Cambuslang responded when Hadden beat all-comers out on the right before driving an effort over the bar. A jinxing run through defence by Craigie's Rory Faulkner then came to nothing on the tricky surface. There was a moment of sheer brilliance in the 17th minute as a glancing header from McKean in midfield fell into the path of Hadden who smashed a shot towards the far corner but visiting keeper Liam Dunn performed heroics to throw himself across goal and make a stunning save. Cambuslang were now on the ascendency with, first Jarvie having a shot blocked by Dunn, before the keeper was on hand again to palm away a corner from Hadden which looked to be dropping in beneath the crossbar.

A rare foray upfield from the Shipbuilders resulted in Conan Howett trying his luck from distance but home custodian Meldrum was equal to the task when diving low to save.

The hosts took a deserved lead on 41 minutes when HADDEN steered home after Dunn had blocked the initial effort from Bohme. Just before the break George Johnston had a chance to equalise but Meldrum thrust out a hand to deny the Craigie striker.

HALF-TIME: Cambuslang Rangers 1 East Craigie 0

Into the second period and a close range shot from Adam Brown was blocked at his near post by the home keeper. With many fans still enjoying their half-time refreshments The Lang doubled their lead (49 minutes) when a corner into the box landed amongst a melee of bodies and SCOTT McKEAN reacted quickly to stab home.

The sticky conditions caused problems for both sides as ground play was replaced by high ball after high ball which caused frustration for East Craigie and their normal style of play. They forced a corner on 63 minutes however, Johnston's kick finding the head of Rory Faulkner and the ball hit the keeper, rolled up his body and into his grateful arms.

Midway through the half top scorer McKean weaved a path through defence but could only rifle well over the visiting crossbar. Seconds later, with the Craigie defence all at sea, Bohme blasted an effort high into oblivion. Back came the Dundonians with Johnston firing well over. Then....nothing. My reporters pen shoved back firmly into my pocket along with my cold hands as the game simply died. 20 minutes where the two keepers could have set up a barbeque and guzzled some wine. There was, however, some very late drama and a flurry of writing activity as the Craigie keeper came rushing out of goal to confront the charging Cullen and, with a foot raised a little too high and therefore deemed dangerous, off he went to kick-start the shower. Conan Howett took the gloves and got down well to save the resulting free kick.

Deep into injury time substitute Jordan Conway was pushed over in the area and JOHNSTON placed the given penalty to Meldrum's left to grab the latest of consolations for East Craigie.

FINAL SCORE: Cambuslang Rangers 2 East Craigie 1

CAMBUSLANG: Meldrum, Crawford, McLean, Gray, Dunnachie, Rouse, Bohme, Hepburn, Hadden, S. McKean, Jarvie. SUBS: Cullen, Ryan, D. McKean, Barclay, McEwan

EAST CRAIGIE: Dunn, Christie, Paterson, Malone, Brannan, Baird (McIlvenny 58), Brown, Howett, R. Faulkner (Conway 84), Johnston, MacLeod (McNaughton 64). Unused: Byres.