Central League: Division 1

  Dunipace 3 - 1 Cambuslang Rangers  

Dunipace: Mullen (6), Grant (32), Wright (55)
Cambuslang Rangers: Kilmartin (50)

Match Report by "No 8"

The Pace were keen to make amends after the disappointment of 3 dropped points in their last home game, particularly given the nature of the defeat despite a fine performance. In order to put that right they were going to have to rely on utilising the full depth of the squad and the call up of 2 of the Under 19's players due to a mixture of injuries, illness and suspension.

Cambuslang started the more purposeful team in the opening exchanges without really troubling the pace goal and against the run of play it was the home side who were to go ahead after 16mins when a Craig Reid long free kick was bravely won by Stephen Oates before being clattered by the keeper and the ball fell to Kevin Mullen who had the simplest of tasks of side footing the ball home from 6 yards.

Oates again made a valuable contribution 4 mins later when Langs Kilmartin , who looked offside, found himself free on goal but his hesitation allowed Oates to put him under pressure and the ball was gathered comfortably by McCurlay in goal. The Rangers #20(? Who knows why!) then had a 25 yards free kick which he put over the bar.

In 28 mins the pace managed to double their lead after fantastic play from Danny Brown who had recovered from his ankle injury to start. He drove forward from his own half and played a fantastic slide rule pass to match the equally fantastic run by Bryan Grant who calmly slipped the ball under the outrushing keeper. This goal had a real mark of quality.

Virtually straight from centre the away side managed to free up Kilmartin just inside the box and when he rounded McCurlie it took a terrific sliding block off the goal line by William Henderson to deny the Lang striker.

On the 32 minutes came the 2nd moment of genuine quality in the match when McCurlay pulled off what was quite simply the save of the season when a cross from the left was powerfully headed at goal from 8 yards and with the keeper throwing himself to his left, he managed to make a magnificent reflex save with his right arm. The danger was cleared by Mullen. The save rightly received a round of applause from all spectators who appreciated the keeper efforts.

The pace had the final chance of the half when a free kick in from the left was headed just over the bar by Marty Wright at the back post.

The 2nd half saw Cambuslang start positively again and they got their reward in 50mins when a corner from the right was punched by McCurlay but he couldn't get the distance desired and the ball eventually broke to #20 Kilmartin to score from 8 yards.

The pace once again managed to go 2 ahead after 55mins when another freekick wide from Reid was met at the back post with a fine Wright header from 9 yards to give the keeper no chance. Not for the 1st time this season Wright has managed to notch with the head.

The game really should have been put beyond doubt on 60 mins with Wright clean through after a good passing move down the right and with only the keeper to beat and despite taking a couple of good touches to steady himself, his shot was saved well by the Lang keeper.

Marc Pincombe had to be replaced after his 1st start for a while started to take its toll on the veteran strikers legs who had led the line well. This gave the 1st competitive game for Graeme MacMillan since his welcome return after taking a short break from the club at the end of last season.

His 1st significant contribution was after 75 minutes with a great long ball to pick out Wright who had stayed on side but his attempted lob was closed out by the Lang keeper.

Cambuslang really were putting the pace defence under consistent pressure but they were standing firm and really working hard to maintain the cushion with Donald and Mullan replaced by McPhail and Donnelly. Despite the possession domination by the away side the only real clear chance during the closing period came on 85mins with a close range header by Smith which rattled off the bar when he looked sure to score and the rebound fell to Kilmartin who could only direct the ball over the bar. The pace lived dangerously this time but the home fans will feel they earned this slice of luck as they haven't seen a lot of this type of fortune this season. With the remaining minutes of the game played in the pace half, Cambuslang were to be frustrated as the pace lads worked hard to see out the game.

This was a fine win for Dunipace and whilst this wasn't their best display it was certainly a hardy team performance where they ran themselves into the ground. Cambuslang may well feel aggrieved not to have taken something out of the game however they came up against a stubborn pace team on the day who showed a real fighting spirit and some fine defensive qualifies.

The importance of the win was to be shown after the game where other results meant the Pace rise to 5th spot in the league.

Cambuslang Rangers: Montgomery, Doak, Bishop, McCabe, Barr (Hadden80), Smith, Ferguson, McFarlane, Kilmartin, Macleod, Dunn
Not Used: Welsh, Carmichael, Moey, Tran
Booked: Bishop, McFarlane, Macload