Rangers crash out of West

RANGERS crashed out of another cup competition at the weekend and extended their long losing streak to First Division leaders Glencairn.

In the long run it might be no bad thing at this stage taking into account the massive backlog of fixtures leaving them free to concentrate on saving themselves from the drop into the District League.

However although this was a slightly improved performance from last week's abysmal display against Ashfield the problems remain; indecision in defence and lack of bite up front. Without an infusion of new blood very soon the prospects do not look bright.

Rangers started with O'Boyle in for Dukes between the sticks and Dalrymple wearing the nunber nine jersey, replacing Zok who had departed for another spell with his former boss, John Richardson, at Rob-Roy.

There was not much in it in the early part of the game, neither side creating anything in the way of a scoring chance in the first twenty minutes or so. Glencairn were awarded a freekick right on the edge of the penalty area although they were making claims for a penalty, in the event it was put over the crossbar.

It was becoming a little scrappy at times with the referee showing yellow cards to players on both sides. It was looking like Rangers would hold out till at least half-time but with just two minutes of the first half remaining a greaty ball into the Rangers goal area was headed in by Fraser. A leg injury almost on the interval saw Tough go off with Tony Martin coming on.

Glencairn went in just deserving of the narrow lead.

An early free-kick award to Glencairn was blasted into the Rangers wall, McPeake going down taking the ball in the face. However, he was able to carry on after treatment.

Rangers were being put under quite sustained pressure for a while although not too many shots were actually getting in to trouble O'Boyle. Dalrymple made a good run into the Glencairn area but could not quite manage a shot on target. Then D. Waters had a great opportunity with an open goal in front of him but managed to put the ball over from very close range. A minute later and it was Tony Martin's turn with a diving header but the ball came off the base of the post. Glencairn's shooting was little better and they had shots also high and wide.

Martin made a very good run and finished with a vicious 20-yard effort which just skimmed the crossbar.

Then with just ten minutes left a failure to clear the ball near the corner flag allowed Glencairn to get in a great ball across the Rangers goalmouth and McArdle was on hand to drive a great shot past the keeper. A couple of substitutions followed, but to no avail, the game was won and lost by now and the fans were left disappointed yet again.

A difficult away game to Maybole comes up this Saturday and unless something drastic is done soon the spectre of relegation will loom ever closer.

KILSYTH: O'Boyle, Scott, Carr, Doyle, Murray, Neville, McPeake, Tough, Dalrymple, McJimpsey, D. Waters. Subs: Martin, McGinty, Williamson, L. Waters, Dukes.

GLENCAIRN: McNeil, Hadden, Fraser, Prunty, Barr, Gentile, McArdle, Hopkins, McGladrigan, McLaughlin, Thomson. Subs: O'Keane, Burke, McDougall, Dickson, Black.