Scott Williamson’s hat trick for Cambuslang Rangers in Saturday’s 8-0 thumping of Carluke Rovers provided a well-rounded portrait of a striker with a nose for goal.

There was quality evident in his first score, directing home a driven Gary Giffin cross to put the Lang 2-0 up and his predatory instincts were there for all to see when he alone followed up a looping John Gemmell header at a free kick and was perfectly placed for a simple tap-in goal when the ball eluded the reach of Rovers keeper Dean Wilson and came back off the face of the crossbar.

His second and the home team’s fourth of a one-sided first half had clearly not whetted the 20 year old’s appetite because the second period was hardly underway before he served up a 'saving the best for last' moment by latching onto a defence splitting Calum McLean pass to exquisitely slot a low shot into the far corner of the net for 5-0.

His treble strike was also local lad Williamson’s 31st goal in just  17 starts , keeping him on course to emulate the 50 goals plus total he previously  notched turning out for the Lang’s Under 20 side last season.

The young  hitman revealed: "I’ve regularly scored 50 goals or more at various under-age levels but never did I think it would be possible to come even close to it playing for the Cambuslang Rangers first team.

“Defences are so much better in the WoSFL but the fact we are such an attack minded side means there are always goalscoring chances being created and I’m just fortunate to have taken my share of them.

“I’d love my scoring run to continue but if I do go off the boil then there are plenty of other Cambuslang Rangers players ready to step into my shoes and that can only be  good thing for our title hopes."

Tony Stevenson’s drilled 20 yard opener and Paul Gordon rifling home following good set up play from Paddy Queen were the other first half counters helping the Lang establish a comprehensive 4-0 halfway lead however none other than former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram blew away any thoughts of the Somervell Park outfit  taking their foot of the gas.

During the interval break, 'The Goalie' who lends a hand in coaching the Lang array of keepers, said he would buy a drink for every player if Paul McColl’s men went on to hit double figures adding he would expect to receive a decent bottle of wine if they came up short.

A duly incentivised Cambuslang poured forward on the resumption and the prospect of a hefty bar bill for Goram was further boosted after Williamson’s hat trick goal by Carluke front man Stephen Frame getting his marching orders for criminally continuing to verbally berate whistler Ross Nelson even after being yellow carded for his comments.

His ten team mates were forced into  a “keep the score respective” approach managed to limit their hosts to just three more goals, a Ryan Stewart 18 yarder from an assist by Williamson as well as a two goals in a minute blast from substitute Gordon Dick, his second a cheeky scoop shot over an advancing Wilson.

The near things continued in and around the Carluke goal only for a mixture of good goalkeeping , last ditch tackles and hurried finishing ensured no further goals were  netted and Goram’s hands stayed in his pockets.

Afterwards, winning gaffer McColl insisted: “Carluke had won their last two games and only lost out by the odd goal in their Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot so it’s encouraging to win so emphatically.

“But to be fair , they were missing a number of regulars out there and we then  started in whirlwind fashion and totally knocked the stuffing out of them with a couple of early goals.

“The lift to our confidence saw us look like scoring every time we went forward and it was pleasing to see Scott back among the goals as he’s just come through what is a drought for him of three games without scoring.

“To my mind, he actually played better stuff in the games where he was firing blanks but someone of his out and out finishing abilities cannot stop doing what comes naturally…sticking the ball in the net.”

Carluke’s players have a quickfire opportunity to get over their embarrassing defeat afforded by a scheduled league game at home to Newmains United tomorrow night.

Team boss Mark Weir said: “We were missing a lot of players today but that’s no excuse for letting our standards drop and serving up such a pitiful performance.

“Cambuslang are top of the table on merit and are probably the best team we’ve faced this season but ours is a squad that could and should do better than lose by a 8-0 margin.

“I needed players to put in a strong claim for the jerseys but today nobody did that."

Cambuslang’s latest B Division victory keeps them a point to the good of second placed St Cadocs for whom Dylan Dykes snatched a late winner to clinch l a 2-1 triumph over a Thorniewood United side that had looked set for a share of the spoils after top scorer Ally Small cancelled out Chris Dallas bagging the St Cadocs opener from the penalty spot.

Gartcairn remained two points further adrift after coming away from Asfield with a 4-2 win while chasing Port Glasgow had Brad Cooper and a Jack McClarty scoring brace to thank for a 3-0 Inverclyde Derby success at home to Greenock.

Jordan McGrotty was another two goal marksman as Glasgow United ran out 2-0 winners over Royal Albert though the win was soured for Hugh Kelly’s men by a dislocated shoulder injury sustained by Andy Ekuose which is set to sideline him for up to six weeks.

RESULTS:  P.D.M Buildbase Premier League. Auchinleck Talbot 1 Hurlford Utd 0, Rutherglen Glencairn 3 Rossvale 2,Beith v Clydebank 0, Benburb 0 Kilwinning Rangers 0, Kilbirnie Ladeside 0 Irvine Meadow 3, Blantyre Vics 0 Largs Thistle 5, Troon 0 Darvel 2, Rob Roy 1 Pollok 4, Glenafton 3 Cumbernauld Utd 0. Bonnyton Thistle 1 Cumnock 1. PDM Buildbase Conference League A. Whitletts Vics  2 Forth Wanderers 0,  Bellshill Athletic v  Muirkirk  4, Maryhill 4 Girvan 2,  Arthurlie 2 Lesmahagow 04  Maybole 2 Saltcoats Vics 1, Irvine Vics 1 Craigmark 2,Shotts Bon Accord 3  Johnstone Burgh 2, Glasgow University 2 Lugar Boswell 0.PDM Buildbase Conference League B. Port Glasgow 3 Greenock 0, Cambuslang Rangers 8 Carluke Rovers 0,  Glasgow Utd 2 Royal Albert 0,  St Cadocs 2 Thorniewood Utd 1, Dalry Thistle 1 Renfrew 5, Ashfield 2  Gartcairn 4.PDM Buildbase Conference League C. Kilsyth Rangers 3 Lanark Utd 0, Larkhall Thistle 3 East Kilbride Thistle 2, Yoker Athletic 0 Petershill 8, Wishaw 1 Vale of Clyde 4, Glasgow Perthshire 1 Neilston 2, Ardrossan  Winton Rovers 2 Drumchapel Utd 3.PDM Buildbase Division Four. Glenvale 3 Campbeltown Pupils 2, Finnart 5  BSC Glasgow 2, Kilsyth Athletic 3 St Peters 2, Harthill Royal 1 Harmony Row 2.