Rangers’ cup hopes dashed

ROSSVALE 3

KILSYTH RANGERS 1

Euroscot Eng Section League Cup

The faint hopes that Rangers may have entertained of going through to the knock-out stage of this competition were dashed after the first forty five minutes of this game on Monday night.

Three down to their district league rivals, it was going to take a miracle to win this game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rossvale have hugely improved since their formation two years ago, but in the same period Rangers have stagnated and it may not be too long before their positions are reversed unless some drastic action is taken.

Rangers started quite well. Indeed for the first 20 minutes or so they were seldom out of the Rossvale half and could, and should, have scored at least a couple of times.

In the 25th minute though a break down the left opened up the Rangers defence and Dempsey had a simple task to knock in an easy goal at the back post.

Rangers responded with another spell of pressure but finishing was woeful and about six minutes before the interval a repeat of their earlier move saw Rossvale go two up. A shot came off the underside of the bar and Dempsey picked up the loose ball to score. Almost on the last minute of the half Jarvie scored their third with a very well taken 22-yard free-kick. It was an utter humiliation for Rangers at this stage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From the restart Rangers surged forward and pulled one back after only five minutes. It came from Kelly, probably Rangers best player of the night, who struck home with a low shot from almost 30 yards.

A couple of changes were made with Dolan and McMillan replacing McCluskie and Desmond and it did improve matters somewhat although finishing was no better.

About 12 minutes from the end Rangers had a great chance to come right back into it when they were awarded a penalty kick. McLaren hit it hard right down the middle and the keeper managed just enough of a touch to send it onto the crossbar and over.

Rossvale had a player red carded very late on, this after one of their management team had also been sent to the stand, but it made no difference to the outcome.

KILSYTH: Smith, Desmond, Waters, Doyle, Hogg, Kerr, McCluskie, McPeake, Faulds, McLaren, Kelly. Subs: McMillan, Dolan, Carr.

Related topics: