NARROW VICTORIES

So far, every game that Cumbernauld United and Kilsyth Rangers have been involved in has been won, or lost, by a single goal, with a number of dramatic late turn arounds thrown in for good measure.

United’s win over Dalry Thistle was their first of the season, but it wasn’t all plain sailing, even before kick-off.

With manager John Queen and coach Junior Gibson both on holiday, club chief executive George Watson and player/coach Tony Elliot were forced to take charge.

Watson said: “It was just one of those things, they both booked time away not realising the other was away as well!

“Saturday was an excellent all round performance from the team. We could’ve had the game out of sightwith the chances we had and that nearly came back to haunt us at the end.

“When we conceeded the equaliser from an O.G. with five minutes to go we were thinking here we go again, but the boys were brilliant and managed to get the winner in injury time. That takes us out of the relegation zone.

“We had Jim Steele back which was a real boost for us - we’re starting to get more of our squad back now from long term injuries.”

Meanwhile, in South Lanarkshire, Kilsyth sealed their win over Rutherglen Glencairn with a late flurry after being out-played for much of the game.

Assistant manager Martin Mooney said: “That’s the last two games now we’ve not played particularly well but managed to get the result.

“On Saturday, personally I though we should’ve been out of it but the goalkeeper kept us in with a chance.

“We just kept giving the ball away and didn’t really compete. Going in only one-nil down at half-time was a bit of a relief.

“We were about five or ten minutes in to the second half and the manager [Eric Sinclair] decided to push three up front and it came up trumps for us.

“It was a change to the shape he made against Hurlford the week before, switching to a five man midfield, that changed that game. He reads the game very well.”

This weekend sees Cumbernauld travel to Viewpark to face newly promoted Thorniewood United.

Watson added: “Tony and I will be in charge again but it’s no problem, the boys are great.

“They’re always very professional and always want to go out and get a result.

“You’ve got the old saying that results speak for themselves, but I don’t think that’s always necessarily the case.

“Apart from the Kilsyth game we’ve deserved something from all of the games we’ve played so far, we’ve just been missing that little bit of luck.

“We got that on Saturday and hopefully that’ll continue into this weekend.”

Renfrew visit Duncansfield on Saturday and Kilsyth will be looking to continued the form that has taken them to fourth in the table.

Mooney continued: “I think every game will be tight. I’m just hoping we can get a good start and continue putting points on the board.

“Every team will have a sticky patch so it’s important we work hard early on.”