FERGIE TO THE RESCUE

DARVEL MIDFIELDER SCOTT FERGUSON

A walk in the park it wasn’t, even if would be Premier Division champions Darvel predictably came out on top in a one-sided contest against league bottom markers Cambuslang Rangers on Saturday.

Having the two teams separated by nothing more than a solitary Scott Ferguson strike come the final whistle gives rise to thoughts of the Wee Gers giving their high flying visitors a run for their money however the sheer awfulness of a rutted and bobbly Somervell Park pitch was by far and away the real test of their character and title credentials.

Ayrshire team boss Mick Kennedy could not have been more diplomatic when offering his post-match summations,

“It was always going to be difficult on that playing surface given the type of team we are but we’re going up the road with all three points and no injuries of any note so what is there to complain about?

“Coming here today our aim was to put Beith under a bit more pressure by cutting their points lead to 4 ahead of what is a massive game for them away to Auchinleck Talbot on Monday night therefore its job done as far as we as a club are concerned.

“Let’s see if they can do theirs now?”

A sobering `crowd` of less than 100 were in attendance, (Anyone want to hazard a guess why?) when proceedings got underway and it took all of seven minutes for either goalkeeper to be called into action, Lang No 1 Andy Wilson comfortably fielding a low shot from Craig Moore.

The shotstopper , reputed to be one of Darvel’s many summer signing targets, then pulled off saves from Allan McKenzie(twice) and acrobatically kept out an Ian McShane free kick as the visitors continued to show more going forward however he was nothing more than a helpless spectator as a Ferguson shot whistled inches wide of his post approaching half time.

The home team’s Grant Brennan curling a free kick over the crossbar in 55 minutes was Cambuslang’s first scoring effort of any note as well as being one of the few respites from the one way traffic in the opposite direction.

A Wilson miskick might have proved calamitous had the 24 year old not redeemed himself by saving at the feet of Ferguson as he attempted to dribble round him however the lively winger was only denied until the hour mark when he picked up a ball some 25 yards out, took a couple of steps forward and smashed home a powerful shot to break the deadlock.

FERGUSON’S GOAL WAS THE DIFFERENCE

Cambuslang came as close as they would come to snatching an equalizer when Brennan leaving two Darvel defenders for dead before rifling a low drive beyond Chris Truesdale’s far post was followed by a Robbie Leighton inswinging free kick from out left that beat the keeper only to come back off the upright.

This fright sparked renewed Darvel attacking ventures and Wilson again came to his team’s rescue by keeping out Moore and Ferguson efforts but kept the best for last when he dived full length to parry away a fierce Andy McDonald strike that had looked a certain score.

Lang co-gaffer Paul McColl reflected afterwards, “ No complaints about the effort put in by the guys but truth is Darvel were better than us and it could have been a much heavier defeat but for Andy.

“We had no cutting edge about us which is hardly surprising given our lack of resources, 5 players were missing in total ,which left us with only a couple of youngsters in Nikky Fraser and Ross Dochery to play up front against a worldly wise Darvel defence.

“Callum McLean was at a wedding , Scott Anson injured, Alan Reid suspended, Callum Scott not allowed to play against his parent club, and another of the guys decided Celtic v Rangers was more important.

“Today’s defeat makes staying up an extremely difficult proposition but there’s nothing for it other than to keep plugging away until it is mathematically beyond us.”

STAYING UP COULD BE BEYOND WEE GERS CO_BOSS McCOLL

Darvel ‘s victory was all the more significant on the back of league leaders Beith coming from behind to overcome Irvine Meadow 2-1 on Friday evening with all the goals coming in the first half.

Callum McLean put the Medda 1-0 in front from the penalty spot but Carlo Monti levelled matters before Mighty skipper Paul Frize weighed in with his side’s winning goal.

In the only other top flight encounter played, Rob Roy boosted their hopes of avoiding a relegation fate with a stirring comeback win over Cumnock for whom a penalty kick converted by Findlay Frye had their noses 1-0 in front down at Townhead Park.

Robbie Young’s equalizer had the sides on level pegging at the half time break but the dismissal of Nock striker Jordan Moore allowed the Rabs to make the most of their numerical advantage with a penalty kick score tucked away by Del McNab , albeit the spot kick award didn’t come until the 94th minute.

Also on Friday , First Division heavyweights Gartcairn took a massive stride towards promotion (if not the title itself ) with a resounding 3-0 defeat of rivals Drumchapel United thanks to Jordan Love, Darren Bowie and Regan Aitken goals at the Donald Dewar Stadium.

Added spice was then afforded to Saturday’s fixtures involving the other step-up contenders and league leaders Benburb were not found wanting thanks to a wonderful four goal display from Aaron Black along with a Declan McDonald counter in an emphatic 5-2 victory over Shotts Bon Accord for whom Martin Shiels and Alex Cassells were on the mark.

Previously second top Kilbirnie Ladeside dropped down a place following a Jordan Boyle strike earning Whitletts Vics a 1-0 triumph while newly occupying the runners-up spot are St Cadocs after chalking up 2-0 success at home to Rutherglen Glencairn through Grant Anderson and Richie McKillen headed goals.

Elsewhere , Premier Division pair Auchinleck Talbot and Clydebank sealed their places in the Indigo Comms West of Scotland League Cup Final (Friday 28^th April) with last four victories over Kilwinning Rangers and St Rochs respectively.

Talbot triumphed 3-2 on a penalty shoot-out after Graham Wilson’s penalty kick opener was cancelled out by Keiren Woods for the Buffs in regulation time while Joe Slattery and Nikky Low counters saw the Bankies prevail over their hosts at the James McGrory Stadium.

WEEKEND RESULTS: P.D.M.Buildbase Premier Division. Cumnock 1 Rob Roy 2, Irvine Meadow 1 Beith 2, Cambuslang Rangers 0 Darvel 1. PDM Buildbase First Division. St Cadocs 2 Rutherglen Glencairn 0, Cumbernauld Utd 2 Johnstone Burgh 1, Drumchapel Utd 0 Gartcairn 3,Shotts Bon Accord 2 Benburb 5, Whitletts Vics 1 Kilbirnie Ladeside 0.PDM Buildbase Second Division. Ashfield 6 Glasgow Utd 0, Renfrew 2 Craigmark1,Wishaw 0 Ardeer Thistle 5, Glasgow Perthshire 2 Maybole 3, St Anthonys 3 Kilsyth Rangers 2, Maryhill 1Yoker Athletic 2, Forth Wanderers 1 Muirkirk 1. PDM Buildbase Third Division. Lanark Utd 1 Lugar Boswell 0, Ardrossan Winton Rovers 11 Saltcoats Vics 2, Carluke Rovers 3 Finnart 0, Kello Rovers 0 Vale of Leven 2, Dalry Thistle 4 Royal Albert 1, Larkhall Thistle 5 Lesmahagow 4,Vale of Clyde 2 Irvine Vics 1, Port Glasgow 2 Bellshill Athletic 1,East Kilbride Thistle 2 Girvan 2. PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. Campbeltown Pupils 0 Easterhouse 1, Threave Rovers 3 West Park Utd 0, Thorn Athletic 4 BSC Glasgow 3. Indigo CommsWest of Scotland League Cup. Semi Finals. St Rochs 0 Clydebank 2, Auchinleck Talbot 1 Kilwinning Rangers 1(Talbot win 3-2 pens).

Regards

Jim O’Donnell