CAMBUSLANG RANGERS (Somervell Park)

WEST OF SCOTLAND CUP QUARTER FINAL, CAMBUSLANG RANGERS 3-4 HURLFORD UNITED, ATTENDANCE: 300 (est)

My final domestic game of the season saw me head north of the border once again, this time to the outskirts of Glasgow. Cambuslang Rangers were hosting Hurlford United in the quarter finals of the West of Scotland cup.



Founded in 1899, Cambuslang Rangers have played at Somervell Park since 1904. The ground is simply wonderful with a large stand and banks of old terracing. I have said it many times before that you struggle to get grounds like this south of the border, mainly due to the health and safety brigade, but I feel they are a link to football times gone by and should be cherished. Cambuslang's record attendance at Somervell Park is 13,500 and it is quite easy to imagine those supporters packed into this tight little ground.

The Lang's halcyon days were in the 1970's when the club reached the Scottish Junior Cup final four times in a row from 1971 to 1974, winning it on three occasions. There were also league titles and other cup victories but the club have never reached the heights of those seasons.

There has been some success this season though as the club have gained promotion to the West Super League Premier Division after finishing runners-up to Petershill.

This afternoon they were up against current Premier Division side Hurlford United, who came into this cup game looking for some silverware after losing the Junior Cup to Auchinleck Talbot 3-2 after leading 2-1 going into stoppage time.

It looked like Hurlford were going to give a repeat performance of sorts today when after taking a 3-1 lead in the second half, they were pegged back to 3-3 before finding a winner with 10 minutes remaining. Cambuslang gave their all but sadly for them they just fell short. Credit to both sides for producing a thoroughly enjoyable match. Hurlford will now meet old foes Auchinleck once again in the semi-final on Monday.

The goalscorers for Cambuslang were Craig Hastings, Callum McRobbie and Dale Simeon whilst Ross Robertson, Callum Watt, Jack Whittaker and Glen Mitchell netted for Hurlford United.

Another great afternoon in Scotland and, if you have not visited Somervell Park then it is definitely one to put on your bucket list.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC (Loch Park)

WEST OF SCOTLAND CUP SEMI-FINAL, GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3-2 ARTHURLIE, ATTENDANCE: 281

As seems to be the norm, the last few weeks of the season can be stretched out with visits North of the Border, as the Junior season complete their usual backlog of fixtures. This year is no exception and, with fixtures scheduled for the next three Saturday's, season 2012/13 can safely be extended into June.

Today was a trip to New Cumnock, in Ayrshire, recently 'voted' as Scotland's most dismal town http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21955916 though I found the views around this former mining town rather pleasant in the late May sunshine.

Formed in 1930, the club played on a colliery pitch until moving to the purpose built Loch Park in 1960. The ground is situated on land close to where the "Afton Water flows gently" into the River Nith.

The ground is just off the main road in the town and has a large main stand and rest is terracing, though most of this is overgrown, giving a sense of age to what is not, in football terms, a very old ground.

Both Glenafton and Arthurlie compete in the West of Scotland Superleague Premier Division, finishing the season in 4th and 6th place respectively. Three points separated the teams in the final table and Arthurlie won the league encounter at Loch Park back in September.

However Glenafton were not to be denied today and they won through to the final by the odd goal in five, despite playing the second half with 10 men.

Glenafton took control from the kick off and Ryan Millar gave the homesters the lead after six minutes before Ross Robertson doubled their lead after 12.

James Marks headed home after 42 minutes to halve the deficit, then right on the stroke of half time Jack Steele was given a straight red card for a challenge on 'Lie goalkeeper Kevin Macklin.

As expected with a  man advantage, Arthurlie came out for the second half all guns blazing and it was no surprise when Stephen McKeown equalised after 55 minutes. However rather than being the catalyst for a 'Lie victory the game swung back in favour of Glens and they created the better chances. With ten minutes remaining Gus Cochrane blasted home to book Glenafton's place in the final.

With "pit stops" in Dumfries and Auldgirth, it was a great day out, spent in great company.