Rangers lose out again

Maybole 1Kilsyth Rangers 0Stagecoach West of Scotland Super League, First Division

IN a scenario which is now becoming depressingly familiar Rangers surrendered another three points and the likliehood of remaining in the Super League First Division is becoming ever more distant.

It is not that there is any lack of effort or commmitment on the part of the team; just that goals have become a very rare commodity, and luck in front of goal is non-existent. A minor miracle is now needed to escape relegation.

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Maybole almost had a goal within the very first minute from a breakaway but over the opening quarter of an hour there was really little to choose between the sides. Then in the 17th minute a moment of indecision in the Rangers defence allowed Walker to send in a fine drive from well outside the penalty area which beat O'Boyle at the far post. A couple of minutes later and Maybole should really have had a penalty when O'Boyle looked to have brought down Kerr inside the area but the referee saw fit to wave play on. The home side were well on top at this stage and a little later thay had a shot come of the crossbar in a goalmouth scramble. Rangers regrouped and fought back and started to have much more of the pressure but as always play up to the opposition 18-yard line was a joy to watch, then it all went wrong.

Maybole were just worth their one goal lead at the interval.

Francis Kelly had replaced Scott for the beginning of rthe second half and right from the restart there was a sense of urgency in their play which had been lacking in the first half. With the strong breeze now behind them Rangers were keeping Maybole pinned back in their own half for the most part although the home side always looked dangerous when they did break. The trialist striker for Rangers was suffering from a lack of good balls into the danger area but did enough to justify another chance.

J. Kerr, for Maybole, had a very good chance when through on goal but was sufficiently put off by O'Boyle to send his shot wide. Rangers continued to press, becoming ever more dominant as the game went on, but just could not get the killer pass, or break of the ball which wouild have got them back into the game. Changes were made, Martin replaced McPeake and Maybole brought on a couple of defenders to try and stem the tide. As the game entered its last few minutes it was Rangers virtually camped on the edge of their opponents penalty box but apart from a good grounder from Dalrymple shots on target were few and despite all their effort, it was Maybole who claimed victory at the final whistle. Time, and games are fast running out if the situation is to be retrieved.

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

MAYBOLE: McAuley, Stevenson, Reilly, Peacock, Whiteside, Scott, Walker, Merry, J. Kerr, P. Kerr, McGrady. Subs: Boyle, Cameron, McDonald, Flanigan, Maxwell.

Rangers are away to Renfrew in a league game this Saturday, away to Renfrew, kick-off 2 p.m.

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