Gowfers and Camelon share points in no-goal draw

After seven straight wins, Carnoustie Panmure's 100 per cent league record under new manager Ian Flaherty came to an end when they were held to a goal-less draw by visitors Camelon at Laing Park on Saturday afternoon.

A notable absentee on the day was Daryn Smith, who had been sidelined by illness.

Stuart Abbot was available once more and returned to the Gowfers' starting line-up. Also on from the start were Dougie Craig and Aaron Conway, replacing Steven Narey and Ralph Brand, who were joined on the bench by Kevin Steele, George O'Boyle and spare goalkeeper Jim Butter.

With a strong wind at their backs, Camelon attacked from the kick-off and Carnoustie survived an early scare when a Cringean cross from the right was almost headed into his own net by Wilkie, but Whyte managed to clutch the ball at the base of his left-hand post.

The visitors continued to dominate the opening stages and Byle and McLaren won two corners in quick succession. However, Thompson's cross from the second of these curled over the crossbar and out behind, easing the pressure on the home goal.

After a slow start, Carnoustie began to come more into the game and had a chance to open the scoring from a G. Miller long throw-in on the right, but Russell's header was too direct and went straight to 'keeper McPherson.

In the Gowfers' next attack, Hendry tried a shot from just outside the box, but sent the ball high over the top.

As play switched back to the other end, a Graham free kick from halfway was nodded behind by Bollan for a corner. McLaren's cross from the right picked out P. Miller, who headed narrowly over.

Carnoustie pushed forward again and a Hendry fierce drive from the edge of the box appeared netbound, but a great block by Menmuir saved the day for Camelon.

Russell then put in a good, deep cross from the left, which was headed away by Menmuir. Bollan, 20 yards out, was first to react and drove just wide of McPherson's left-hand post.

Next to have a shot at goal was Abbot, whose long-range effort from 25 yards was just too high.

Moments later, the same player was set up by Hall, but again got his elevation wrong and put the ball over the crossbar once more.

As the Gowfers continued to press, an Abbot cross from the right was laid-off by Hendry to Bollan, who shot high over the top from 25 yards.

Against the run of play, Camelon almost took the lead when a loose ball in midfield fell to McLaren, who tried a long-range strike in a bid to catch Whyte unawares, but the 'keeper was alert to the danger and brought off a fine save.

In 42 minutes, McLaren was booked after bringing down Abbot as he attempted to break clear on the line.

Half-time: Carnoustie Panmure 0, Camelon 0.

On the restart, Camelon were again first to show and from a McLaren corner on the right, the unmarked Graham headed narrowly past from 10 yards.

Shortly afterwards, the visitors again came close when a Thompson corner from the left was headed only partially clear by Hall. Byle was first to the loose ball, but shot past.

Camelon continued to press and forced another corner on the right, but McLaren's cross was well held by Whyte, with Winning in close attendance.

After being pegged back in their own half for a spell, Carnoustie at last got up the park and a Conway 35 yard free kick was knocked back by Hall to Russell, whose cross-cum-shot was just too strong and carried over the crossbar.

Craig then tried a long-range strike, which was too direct and went straight through to the 'keeper.

Moments later, Russell was put through by Bollan, but his shot lacked power and was easily saved by McPherson.

Two corners followed in quick succession and from the second of these Abbot sent in a curling shot, which the 'keeper did well to hold on the line.

Carnoustie almost paid the penalty for their missed chances when Camelon launched a quick counterattack through Cringean on the right. His cross was met by Thompson, who got plenty power behind his shot, but fired the ball high over the bar.

Back came the Gowfers and an Abbot cross from the right was well held by McPherson under his crossbar. In 75 minutes, Bollan was booked for a foul on Byle.

Although the home side now had most of the possession, Camelon still looked dangerous on the break and almost snatched the lead when a long through ball was missed by Whyte, but Craig got back in time to clear from P. Miller, who was about to knock the ball into the empty net.

In the visitors' next attack, Ogilvie fouled P. Miller just outside the box, but McLaren's free kick was blocked by the defensive wall. Hall then broke clear on the home right and crossed to substitute Steele, who should have put the Gowfers ahead, but his shot from eight yards was blocked away by McPherson.

In 81 minutes, Byle was booked for a foul on Steele.

At the other end, the Gowfers had a lucky escape when Cringean was put through by P. Miller and from a suspiciously offside position lobbed the advancing Whyte only to see the ball drop the wrong side of the right-hand post.

In the closing stages, Carnoustie threw everything into attack as they searched in vain for an elusive winner.

A through ball from Bollan was laid off by Steele to Brand, whose long-range effort flashed narrowly over.

Bollan then got on the end of a Steele corner from the left, but McPherson made a great save to turn the ball away.

The 'keeper made another fine save in the dying seconds to block a Brand effort for a corner. Steele's cross again picked out Bollan, who headed just wide and the Gowfers had to settle for a disappointing goal-less draw, which saw the Laing Park men end 2006 third top of the Whyte and Mackay East Super League.

Line-Ups:

Carnoustie Panmure : Whyte, G. Miller, Craig, Ogilvie, Wilkie, Hendry, Abbot (Narey 89), Bollan, Russell (Steele 66), Conway (Brand 74), Hall. Substitutes, not used - O'Boyle, Butter (gk).

Camelon : McPherson, Bell, Ballantine, Graham, Menmuir, P. Miller, Cringean, Byle, Thompson, Winning, McLaren. Substitutes - Fairweather, George, McLellan, Shanks, Hardie (gk).

Referee, C. Duncan, Dundee.