Cumbernauld United blew Motherwell away in a league match at Muirhouse on Guy Fawkes day.

It may have been the 5th of November but you could be forgiven for thinking it was the middle of Spring due to the crisp, clear weather conditions as the match kicked off. Like the sky, Cumbernauld were kitted out in light blue shirts and Motherwell sported their famous claret with amber trimmings.

The pitch at Muirhouse looked suspect and cut up in places but it didn't hamper the away side as they looked dangerous from the get-go. An early searching ball landed to the feet of Dylan McSharry and his snap-shot was comfortably saved by Ryan Kane in the Motherwell goal.

Cumbernauld continued to apply the pressure in the first five minutes and Murray Penman cut in from the right wing before hitting the deck in the box in front of a Well defender. The attacker's appeal for a penalty fell on the deaf ears of the referee.

The early exchanges of the match played out with Motherwell standing up to the early onslaught from United but there were no clear cut chances for either side. Like a bonfire on a cold winter night, the match was a slow burner.

Craig Scott limped off with an injury on the 18th minute to be replaced by Akeem Kareem for Motherwell. Immediately after the substitution Well had their best chance of the half to go ahead when a header from Adrian Cuevas bounced off the chest of a Cumbernauld defender on the line and was subsequently cleared.

A neat passage of play from United in midfield ended in a through ball to Josh Burn inside the box who poked his shot high and wide over the bar under pressure from the defender.

On the 27th minute Cumbernauld made a switch and brought off Dylan McSharry, their number 7, for another player wearing number 7.

There was potential for some early fireworks when Cuevas put in a crunching tackle through the shin of Kyle Brown but the referee didn't see fit to reach for his pocket despite calls from the away dugout.

It wasn't to be the last time United would call the referees decision making into question. Kane had his kick out latched onto by Jack Wilkie who headed into the pathway of number 7 who burst down the right wing. His cross come shot was fumbled by Kane on the line and Cumbernauld were claiming the ball had crossed over before the Motherwell defence cleared the danger. 

The game was starting to show some potential as a spectacle at this stage and it seemed like it needed a goal to spark it into life. The fuse was finally lit on the 37th minute when Cumbernauld won a penalty. Wilkie took a deft touch in the box before being swiped out the game by Kane who came rushing off his line.

Wilkie stepped up to take the kick and jetted the ball into the bottom left corner past the goalkeeper who dived in the wrong direction. The ball was still in the back of the net as United decided to hook their number 21 and bring on Jordan McDonald.

Burn demonstrated excellent vision to pick out Gregor Johnston whose shot on goal was thwarted by Kane in what was to be the last significant chance of the first half for United.

A double from Christopher Purdie proved to be the difference as Hamilton Accies defeated Cumbernauld Colts in a fiery league meeting at the Ravenscraig.

Cumbernauld kicked off the match and took the first opportunity to try and test the opposition goalkeeper but the strike from Peter Gribbin went wide of the keeper's right post.

There was more to see in terms of a physical contest between the two teams than concrete chances on goal as the early stages of the match unfolded. Possession was evenly shared between both sides and any shots on goal were doing little to test either goalkeeper.

Hamilton were finding more success when they worked the ball from the back, keeping it on the deck rather than playing the long ball. The home side were growing in possession in the final third but each cross into the box was overcooked and missing Stuart McIntyre in the centre of the box.

Cumbernauld made an early substitution on the 16th minute bringing on Andrew Smart for Kieran O'Neill.

Accies had an opportunity when Robert Griffiths burst up the pitch and evaded a slide tackle from the Cumbernauld defender before latching the ball onto Gribbin who was central outside the box. Gribbin had time to tee himself up but his shot missed the target.

The gritty nature of the match began to take its toll when Connor Smith went off injured for Hamilton however he recovered and came back on three minutes later.

Despite being momentarily down to ten men, Accies had an opportunity to take the lead when Purdie won the ball on the edge of the D and curled in a strike that rattled off the topside of the bar and went out of play.

Cumbernauld had a look in when they played a short free kick into the path of Mikey Downs who beat his man and cut inside to strike the ball wide of the keepers right post.

McIntyre got on the end of a cross from Robert Griffiths on the half hour mark but the effort looped over the bar as Ben Punter remained largely untested in the Cumbernauld goal.

With a third of the game gone it was proving to be a tough physical contest with individual battles taking place all over the pitch. Both teams were holding their own even though there was a lack of end product on show at this stage.

Kieran O'Neill had to replace Liam O'Connor for Cumbernauld who picked up a knock. Tensions were rising in the match and the referee had his work cut out diffusing a few potentially hostile situations.

Accies finally found some joy from the right wing on the 38th minute as Lewis Mooney whipped in a perfect cross to the head of McIntyre who glanced the ball over the helpless Punter in goal. The ball nestled into the top left corner as Hamilton took the lead.

Colts would have their chance to reply and they were awarded a penalty just before half time after the Cumbernauld striker was brought down in the area. Downs stepped up to slot the ball home from 12 yards out and bring the game back to a level pegging going into the second period.

Two late goals earned Linwood Rangers 2001 a hard fought draw over Erskine YFC 2001 despite having a man sent off in the second half.

Erskine where already a goal in front when Linwood’s Mark McClune was sent off for a second bookable offence. Erskine doubled their lead on the 80^th minute but late goals from Sean Traynor and Mikey Gallagher were enough to ensure the points were shared.

There was seven points separating the sides before Saturday’s game. The match at the Johnstone Sports Hub was Linwood’s second home game in succession after a goalless draw with Renfrew the previous week.

The hosts lined up: Lambie, Hendry, McClune, Black, Inglis, Traynor, Husbands, Gallacher, Walton, McLaughlin, Kelly. Subs: Gallager and McKelvie.

It was the perfect start for the visitors as Erskine took the lead inside the first minute. Clearly not the start that Linwood would have been hoping for as they were now chasing the game from the off.