An unhappy ending for cumbernauld

Stagecoach Superleague

Division one

TRAILING 2-1 in injury time, United had forced corner after corner and in the 93rd minute snatched a deserved equaliser when David Marsh headed home a cross.

The United squad looked to have earned a precious point in their relegation battle. However, referee Newlands allowed the visitors to restart the game. United seemed to ball watch and allowed them to sweep upfield and centre back McShane was given space to shoot past keeper Buchanan and claim victory.

Make no mistakes, United did not deserve to lose this game after fighting hard and giving promotion chasers Ashfield a fright.

United got off to a dream start when after only three minutes Kevin Watts cracked home United’s opening goal. Their lead lasted for only six minutes when Ashfield’s Hall was allowed to drift in from the right flank unchallenged and shot an angled drive past keeper Buchanan.

The visitors started to take command with only flurries from United and they went ahead after 20 minutes. Left back Passmore put in a cross from the right and Maxwell was on hand to net number one.

United started to realise they needed to step up a gear and they did, but by half time Ashfield, still in command, knew they were going to have a game on their hands.

United started the second period attacking the Ashfield defence and at times, had no luck in getting a breakthrough. Ref Newlands didn’t help with a couple of decisions that went against United. Still they went about their business and gave the visiting back four a torrid time. And so to the unhappy ending for United. A brave fight by the lads but the visitors won in the end by sheer good luck.

This Saturday United are away to Whitletts Victoria, at Dam Park in Ayr, kick off 2pm.

With the relegation battle hotting up, United do need three points from this game. The final game of the season will be against Kilwinning Rangers at Guys Meadow.

CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Buchanan, Hayman, McKay, Marsh, Dearie, Renwick, Jarvis, Watts, Gibson, Barclay, McLymont. Subs: McNally, Morrison, Steel, Burns, Thomson.

ASHFIELD: McClenahan, Mangan, Passmore, Coll, McShane, Cairney, McCann, Fraser, Hall, Maxwell, Chalmers. Subs: Ferguson, Gally, Woods, Brand, Smith, Martin, Reilly.

CUMBERNAULD United Original Supporters’ Club bus for this Saturday’s game at Ayr leaves Guy’s Meadow at 11.45 am and Town Centre at 11.50 am.