Cambuslang Rangers went into their final game of the season knowing that a win and other results going their way would guarantee their safety in the West of Scotland Football League Second Division.
Camby travelled to Kilmarnock on Saturday to face Bonnyton Thistle at the Synergy Arena looking to get their first ever win against them.
Here was the league table before the final matchday:
Rangers started the game off poorly and found themselves one nil down after only five minutes following a defensive mishap from a corner that allowed Grant Kirkwood to fire the hosts in front.
The first half continued in this fashion with Camby struggling to match Bonnyton Thistle’s energy.
The hosts then double their lead with Marc Walker scoring their second and putting them in cruise control.
Rangers were given a lifeline when one of their players was pulled down just inside the box forcing the ref to point to the spot – up-stepped Gers’ top scorer, Carlos Lyon who failed to convert his kick meaning they went into half time 2-nil down.
When the sides came out for the second half Cambuslang started strongly and were matching Bonnyton’s tempo this time and witnessed them being awarded another penalty.
Lyon stepped up again and slotted his shot into the top corner solidifying his status as the league’s second top scorer for this season.
It wasn’t long after, that Thistle restored their two-goal advantage through Marc Walker after a devasting counter-attack which ended with the ball in the back of Camby’s net.
There was a bit of hope when Nadeem Zeb’s strike took a wicked deflection and wrong footed the keeper to make it 3-2 with around 10 minutes to go.
This was short-lived as super sub Jordan Ryan put the final nail in the coffin and the game ending 4-2.
As the results came in around the grounds, Camby waited nervously to hear if they had secured their place in the league for next season with Neilston having to beat Yoker Athletic to secure their survival.
And Neilston did beat them 2-nil.
However, once all the results were in, it confirmed what many had expected which was that Camby finished the game where they started with the teams around them losing as well. This meant that Camby hadn’t been relegated just yet with the club finishing in
13th place.
So, Camby will have to wait till next week to find out their future as Clydebank F.C take on Musselburgh Athletic F.C. in a two-legged playoff with the first leg ending 1-1.
Clydebank host Musselburgh next Sunday and if Clydebank are successful Camby will be safe from relegation this season.
