Rivals share spoils from first derby of the season

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy's Scott Upton and Kilsyth Rangers' Nicky Prentice challenge for the ball during Saturday's match. (Picture by Alan Murray)

The season’s first derby match between these long-standing rivals and perhaps rather predictably, with nothing at stake, it ended up honours even.

With the two meeting again this week in the opening league match both sets of fans can gain some encouragement for the seasons prospects, it was a decent game with some good football, although finishing off the many chances made by both remains the challenge.

It was a keen encounter right from the start and twice Phil Dolan was involved in minor scuffles with the opposition in the opening minutes.

Players battle for possession during the Kilsyth v Rob Roy match

It seemed as if they were deliberately trying to provoke him into retaliation. Sensibly the match referee calmed things down without showing any cards and there was no further problems.

Rob Roy had slightly the better of it for the first twenty minutes or so with Duke making a couple of good saves.

Then in the 21st minute Prentice made ground down the left, swung a great ball over to Dolan who passed to Duffy in a good position to knock it past Murdoch for the opening goal.

Thereafter Rangers had the advantage for the remainder of the first half and had chances to further increase their lead. It was not all one way traffic though, and Duke also had his moments pushing two good shots over the bar just before the interval.

For the full match report see this week’s Cumbernauld News and Kilsyth Chronicle - on sale now!