Head and Shoulders

On Sunday at Somervell Park, Cambuslang Saints lost their second cup final penalty shoot-out of the season thus failing to secure the silverware to which their form over the season entitled them. The defeat to Hillington AFC was painful in more ways than one as serious head injuries to Dene Cassells and Asen Gaydardzhiev, and a ruptured rotator cuff for Daniel Cassells saw all three taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Captain Keith Millar introduces the players to the SAFL representative

Saints started the match tentatively but were slowly gaining the upper hand when injury struck. Firstly striker Asen Gaydardzhiev, who was having the better of his jousts with the Hillington defence,  was forced to come off with a bad cut following an accidental clash of heads with a Hillington defender.

Play continued while the Saints striker received treatment on the sidelines however within minutes Saints were another man down when midfielder Dene Cassells sustained a serious head cut which forced him out of the match.

Judging by the reaction of the Saints player when he left the field of play this injury may not have been accidental, however no infringement was spotted by the match officials and no action taken against any Hillington player.

Saints Manager Iain Jackson brought on substitutes Matty Rippon and Allan Miller with Matty joining Donald Campbell in attack and Allan taking up a wide right midfield role. In the dying minutes of the first half Matty came close with a long range shot which struck the bottom of the Hillington goalkeeper's left hand post while the 'keeper looked on helpless. The first half ended with Saints on top but with no goals to show for their efforts. The half time break gave the large crowd of supporters, mainly from Hillington, time to enjoy the sunshine and a refreshment or two from the Cambuslang Rangers Social Club.

Saints continued to press in the second half but despite enjoying the majority of possession, and creating all of the chances, failed to breach the well marshalled Hillington defence. Saints best opportunity of the match fell to Donald Campbell. Clean through on goal with only the goal keeper to beat, Saints top scorer in the competition was desperately unlucky to see his well struck shot saved by the Hillington 'keeper whose heroics were to earn him the Man of the Match award from the visiting SAFL delegation.

With twenty minutes to go disaster struck for Saints. On one of their few second half forays into Saints territory Hillington won a corner on their left hand side. Saints 'keeper Daniel Cassells rose under pressure to collect the cross but collided with a Hillington attacker and landed awkwardly on his left shoulder. After a long stoppage for treatment play resumed but it quickly became apparent that Daniel could not continue. Clearly in considerable pain Daniel was substituted.

With no back-up goal keeper on the bench Saints were now in trouble and were forced into a re-shuffle. Central defender Alex Craik bravely pulled on the goalkeeper's jersey and gloves. Midfielder Willie Gemmell replaced him in defence and substitute Paul Kerr came into the midfield.

Saints threw everything into attack in a bid to avoid the dreaded penalty shoot-out but there was no way past the resolute Hillington defence. In the dying minutes, and with penalties in mind, Saints Manager Iain Jackson made his final change bringing on Sean Ford for Myles MacAulay in an attacking midfield role.

After a considerable period of injury time in which Saints continued their pursuit of a winning goal the referee eventually blew for full time. Bizarrely for a cup final there was no extra time to be played. Being so much in the ascendency at this time Saints would surely have fancied their chances of securing victory in the additional thirty minutes, however penalties it was and the odds of victory swung dramatically in Hillington's favour.

Saints went first and the Hillington 'keeper  got down well to his left but couldn't prevent Matty Rippon's penalty from finding the net. Further successful well struck penalties followed from Captain Keith Millar, Craig MacEwan and late substitute Sean Ford but in every case Hillington replied emphatically giving Saints stand-in 'keeper Alex Craik no chance.

With Saints fifth penalty Donald Campbell sent the Man of the Match Hillington goalkeeper the wrong way but his outstretched boot struck the ball and sent it spinning to safety. Hillington's fifth penalty was as accurate and well struck as the previous four and victory in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy was theirs at the first time of asking.

The Saints players collect their runners-up medals

 
Despite this defeat the Saints players can be justly proud of their achievements this season which with better luck could have seen them celebrating a treble success. Such are the fine margins in amateur football and Saints must hope for better fortune next season.

Saints don't have too long to wait as, incredibly, their pre-season kicks off with the Keyline Tournament in just over five weeks time.

Roll on next season.

#monthesaints