Cumbernauld Utd
Match Reports
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 1 Cumbernauld Utd 3
Sectional League Cup Section 8
THE season certainly started for United with a bang. A surprise victory over Kirkie neighbours Rob Roy was, I suppose, a shock result as this totally new United squad were playing their first competitve match. The weather was certainly a big let down and having rained all day the rain soaked pitch and continuous rain was a real leveller.
United's early foray saw a Steele free-kick just wide as McAndie connected just yards from goal. With the game only 15 minutes old Rab Haswell was red carded for having a kick at United's McNally after ball was away. United then had a decent penalty claim turned down after 25 minutes when McNally was downed in box. Rabs replied when winger Anderson broke up the left and his cross was clipped towards goal by Zok but keeper Klenan saved well. Rabs started to put pressure on United's defence and proceeded to kep them pinned back with a succession of corners. United held firm and after 33 minutes went one ahead when McAndie on run-up right crossed for Barclay to head strongly past Bell. It could have been 2-0 minutes later but the post saved Rabs' blushes and ball bounced clear. Rabs again pressed and just before the break forced four corners with no gain.
The second half started with Rabs again on attack and again forced United to concede two consecutive corners. United stood up well to Rabs and, after 60 minutes, increased their lead when breaking upfield outpaced Rabs' defence and gave Bell no chance as he knocked home United's second goal.
Rabs reduced the leeway nine minutes later when Morrison headed home. By this time United were obviously feeling the pain but although Rabs pushed hard gaining corner after corner they couldn't get an equaliser. United had the last say however when in 89 minutes they broke upfield and Ally Brown drove through and slotted ball home for No. 3 and sealed the points for United.
Considering this was their first competive game United did well. Obviously there are a few improvements in play needed, Manager Dennis Curran will endeavour to improve on this.
CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Kilman, Miller, Elliot. Dearie, Hill, Brown, Burns, Steelse, McAndie, McNally, Barclay.
KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY: Bull. McDonald, Haswell, Morrion, Carbury, Gentile, Jones, Fergusson, Zok, McQuilken, Anderson.
Kilsyth 2 Cumbernauld United 1
Sectional League Cup Section 8
RANGERS probably just deserved the points, but United can count themselves very unlucky.
The referee denied them a penalty at a crucial period with the scores level and then later awarded Gers the penalty that gave them full points.
Duncansfield was in tip top condition for this game and it was a game that kept the crowd's interest for the full 90 minutes. United started well but, after ten minutes, left-back Elliot was replaced due to injury.
McNally had a half chance in 12 minutes but the keeper won the race for the ball. United had a great chance after 20 minutes when McAndie hit the keeper with the ball after a pass from Brown.
It was pretty even and an error by United defenders allowed Gers' Daly to float in and hit ball past keeper Charles to put home side one up. United didn't let this setback faze them and, after 40 minutes, McNally appeared to be fouled in box. United were handed a severe blow minutes from half-time when centre-back Craig Hill was felled and carried off with suspected leg fractures.
The second period began with a bit of United pressure and in 60 minutes went level with a strike from Barclay. United continued to match the home side and controversy raged after 70 minutes when Barclay beat a defender, rounded him and was brought down. A certain penalty that could have put United in front but no, the referee booked the United man for diving and awarded a free-kick to Gers.
Both sides vied for the winner and the referee awarded the home side a penalty when Valentine appeared to be downed just inside the box. Thomson made no mistake from the spot.
So the three points went to Kilsyth. A draw would probably have been welcome by United but the referee's refusal to give them a penalty at a crucial time proved costly.
CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Charles, Millar, Elliot, Dearie, Hill, Barclay, Burns, Steele, McAndie. Brown, Murray.
KILSYTH: Duke, Meechan, Carr, Doyle, McDonald, McGinty, Valentine, McPeake, Thomson, McCluskey, Daly
Dunipace 4 Cumbernauld United 1
Sectional League Cup Section 8
UNITED suffered a heavy defeat due more to errors than any other reason. Credit to the home side, they cashed in on the goal opportunities presented to them during the game.
The first error took place in six minutes when an ill-disciplined United defence was caught out by an angled cross collected by Wright who rattled the ball past keeper Charles putting Pace 1-0 ahead.
United tried hard to get some cohesive pattern to their game but in truth were second to every ball. The midfield just weren't clicking and Pace controlled everything that came their way and went in at half time worthy leaders.
United opened the second half with a more offensive pattern and Templeton hit side netting with an angled drive, and Deerie headed a Haining corner over bar. After a Pace attack United's Brown had a run at defence but parting effort went for a goal kick.
The home side started to get back into the game and in 56 minutes made it 2-0 when Roger out-jumped the United defence and headed home a Grant cross. United tried hard to get back into the game but Pace had full control and United offered little up front.
Ally Brown pulled one back for United when he cut through the home defense and netted with a well directed drive.
The game dragged on and when, after 75 minutes, United's right back Millar was unfortunate to put into his own net trying to clear and five minutes later Jackson made it 4-1 to Pace as United failed again to clear any danger.
CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Charles,, Millar, Haining,McKenzie, Deerie, Brown, Burns, Steele, McCandie, Brannan, Templeton. Subs: Bradley, Nisbet, Queen, Brown.
DUNIPACE: Strachan, Moffat, Pincombe, McMillan, McCafferty, Orr, Wright, Cairney, Roger, Grant, Cullen. Subs: McCafferty, Adam, Jackson, Donnelly, Meighgan.
Cumbernauld Utd 1 St. Anthony 2
Stagecoach Central League Division One
UNITED may have lost the points but their display proved that as a team are improving.
Although there is some hard work still to be done, these lads gave their all. It may seem a bit of a cliche, but two blatant penalty claims by United knocked back by the referee certainly kept the Ants in the game.
Both teams served up a very enjoyable and fairly competed game, but the bef certainly made- some questionable decisions. The first 25 minutes consisted of midfields controlling the game and it was at this stage United were denied a glaring penalty claim and two minutes later Brian McAndie headed just wide from a Brannan cross. Ants' reply was to force a cleared corner. United then forced the issue and went ahead in the 32nd minute when working up the right. McAndie was in the right spot to head home Millar's cross past keeper Turner. United were in control but right on half-time Ants gained a corner and, after a goalmouth melee, Mulligan was able to get the final touch and equalise.
Within minutes of the restart Mulherron was in the right place to sidefoot in a low cross to put the visitors 2-1 ahead. United did try to hit back and took control. Barclay was upended in the box but again the Ref ignored the United claims for a penalty. Templeton was introduced to the United attack and caused the visitors a few problems but United just couldn't get the break they needed.
Manager Dennis Curran was spot on with his programme comments that this season's league campaign would be hard with a totally new squad but if the squad performs as it did here and get the breaks they deserve, they will get their just rewards.
Cumbernauld United: Utd: Pilkington, Millar, Brown,' Brown, Dearie, Bren-nan, Barclay, Nesbitt, McNally, McAndie, Burns. Subs: Temple-ton, McConville, Queen, Trialist, Charles,
St Anthony: Turner, MSnsare, Mulligan, R. McDonald, Trapp, Mcllhatton, Dickson, B. McDonald, Asante, Mulherron, Brodie. Subs: Russell, Heeps, Donaghy, Callaghan, McCuish.