Ashfield F & A C 5 Cambuslang Rangers 1 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 7.15pm

Ashfield produced a superb attacking display against fellow promotion hopefuls Cambuslang Rangers at a wet Saracen Park this evening to win by 5-1. Goals from Craig Smith, Jim Smith, Mark Thomson and a double from last season`s Top Scorer Darren O`Donnell did the damage and now puts the `field in the mix with five games to go.

A very overcast, cold and windy evening greeted the teams this evening for this league match. Ashfield needed to keep their winning streak going to maintain the promotion surge and Cambuslang were looking to bounce back after a few recent setbacks.

The Black and White hoops started the match looking eager and hungry for a victory with Mark Thomson firing over a dangerous cross in the opening minute. Craig Smith was back in the starting eleven tonight and he almost opening the scoring after nine minutes after great link up play from O'Donnell and Passmore. Smith's resultant header bulleted over the bar from close range. It was one way traffic at this stage with Cambuslang desperately defending and clearing at every opportunity.

Ashfield kept pressing forward with Mark Thomson showing why is he one of the best players in this division. 'Thomo' stroked a brilliant 'defence splitting' pass after thirteen to minutes to Tony Chalmers but the 'wee' striker miss controlled as he ran in on goal.

Cambuslang were playing in their away strip of all red this evening and they had their first attempt on goal after fifteen minutes. Nice play ended up with their number 9 being caught offside as he lobbed the ball into the net from fifteen yards. It did not take long after this chance for Ashfield to take a deserved lead on the nineteenth minute mark. Darren O'Donnell picked the ball up in the midfield area and placed the ball over the top to the onrushing Craig Smith. The 'Lang' keeper raced out but he fumbled the ball as he tried to smother and Smith brilliantly swivelled and placed the ball over the keeper with his left foot and into the empty net. An excellent finish!. Ashfield 1 Cambuslang Rangers 0.

Cambuslang to their credit almost hit back straight away from the kick off with a flashing twenty five year shot shaving Prior's crossbar in the Ashfield goal. Chances were now coming thick and fast and O'Donnell had the next one after twenty four minutes but the Cambuslang Keeper saved well from the header. Things were not going the visitors way not just with the scoreline but also with their Goalkeeper, who had to be replaced after twenty six minutes with Player Manager Alan Wardlaw gracing the turf to replace the injured stopper.

Ashfield still maintained a vibrant pace in this match and Bert Wright almost scored on the half hour mark. Ali Martin whipped in a tantalising cross that evaded everyone but Wright 'nipped' in at the back post only to see his shot slice wide from eight yards.

Ashfield were really searching for the second goal and it came after thirty two mnutes. Ali Martin placed the ball down after a free kick was awarded forty yards out and spotted a great run from Jim Smith. Martin fired the ball onto the head/shoulder of Smith six yards out who placed the ball low to the Keepers right hand side and into to the net to give Ashfield a great cushion. Ashfield 2 Cambuslang Rangers 0.

The 'Field' were now in rampant mood and Wardlaw saved well from a left foot strike from O'Donnell after thirty four minutes but the best save of the match was to come from the replacement keeper four minutes later. Chalmers picked the ball up and released O'Donnell down the right flank. The 'Dazzler' saw Craig Smith racing into the box and sprayed the ball low across the six yard box. It looked an easy tap in for the striker but Wardlaw somehow blocked the shot from two yards out. A brilliant save from the Keeper to keep his team in the game.

Cambuslang took heart from their Managers save and Prior had to block a shot with his feet after forty minutes after excellent play from Jenna. Cambuslang were now really trying to get a goal back before half time but Reilly at the back for Ashfield was simply outstanding and commanded the defence along with his equally experienced team mate, Jim Smith.

Half time was fast approaching but again it was the Home team that created the final chance. Craig Smith 'dinked' the ball over the heads of the Cambuslang defence to an onrushing Tony Chalmers but his effort from ten yards sailed over the bar for a goal kick.

The impressive referee blew for half time to end an awesome first half performance from the 'Field'.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 2 CAMBUSLANG RANGERS 0

The teams emerged for the second half as dark clouds started to roll in over the Possilpark District. Cambuslang came out the 'traps' looking positive and were closing down Ashfield at every opportunity. A very good response considering what had happened in the first half. Ashfield, however, still looked the more dangerous team and O'Donnell should have made it three after fifty eight minutes but his 'flick' went wide of the goal after excellent build up play from Chalmers and Craig Smith.

The 'Lang' were giving as good as they got now and were causing the Ashfield defence a few problems but again Reilly was intercepting at crucial moments. Ali Martin amasingly missed a golden opportunity after sixty one minutes after Thomson floated the ball into the box to the Left winger, but, his reliable left foot let him down this time as he volleyed just wide of the post.

The 'Lang' kept pressing as well looking to get back in the match and almost snatched a life line after sixty four minutes. A Free Kick was delivered into the Ashfield box that fell kindly to the 'Lang' striker but his shot went wide of the Ashfield goal. The next goal would be so important in this match, could Ashfield gain that all important third or could Cambuslang get the goal that would spur them back into the match!!. The question was answered after seventy minutes. A free kick was awarded to the 'Field' deep in the opposition half. Passmore lifted a inch perfect cross to the back post which was met by Mark Thomson who headered the ball across the Keeper into the net aided by the underside of the bar. Ashfield 3 Cambuslang Rangers 0

The crowd were being treated to a great match despite the weather. Ashfield continued their onslaught and Martin was denied by another great save from Wardlaw after seventy two minutes. Wright, who was a magician in midfield, teased his marker before unleashing Chalmers. Chalmers fired in a cross that Ali Martin did well to connect only to see the 'Lang' keeper save.

The clouds now opened on Saracen Park as the crowd drifted up to the stand. Cambuslng tried to press forward but left themselves exposed at the back and this was exploited after seventy four minutes with a long pass from Passmore to Ali Martin. Martin, looked up and slid a great pass to Darren O'Donnell who flipped the ball past Wardlaw and into the net from five yards!!. Ashfield 4 Cambuslang Rangers 0.

The rain gained strength as the teams restarted. The supporters sheltered themselves under the roofing as Ashfield scored a fifth. Prior slammed his wind assisted kick deep into Cambuslang territory and the quickest to react was Darren O'Donnell who stubbed his shot low and hard into the bet from ten yards to the surprise of the 'Lang' Defence. Ashfield 5 Cambuslang Rangers 0.

The heavens were now really opening on Saracen Park for the remaining minutes, and deservedly the 'Lang' scored a consolation with a few minutes remaining, latching onto a poor clearance from fifteen yards. Prior tried hard to palm away but the ball slid into the net. Ashfield 5 Cambuslang Rangers 1.

The Referee looked at his watch and blew for full time.



FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 5 CAMBUSLANG RANGERS 1


Man of the Match:- Every player in the Black & White hoops produced an excellent display with special mention to Mark Thomson, Gordon Passmore, Darren O`Donnell and Alistair Martin, however Jamie Reilly was simply immense at the back alongside Jim Smith.

Attendance:- 85

Photographs by:- Inga