Rangers take points in Cup derby

Kilsyth Rangers 3Cumbernauld United 2Surridge Section League CupSection 8

RANGERS opened their season with a win over near neighbours Cumbernauld United and head the section with three points, with Rob Roy and Dunipace on a point apiece following their drawn match.

This was a close game though. United had plenty of chances and a numerical advantage following the dismissal of Rangers' keeper Dukes early in the second half. An entertaining spectacle for the fans, with Rangers probably just deserving the win.

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There was almost a goal for United in the first few seconds. Straight from the kick-off McInally burst through and had only Dukes to beat but his shot was weak and easily tyaken by the keeper. Rangers responded almost immediately and from a corner had a shot land on the roof of the net.

United made claims for a penalty when McPhee appeared to have been pushed aside in the box but the referee thought otherwise. It was a fast, open game with both sides looking for the opener and almost on the quarter hour mark it came from Joe Barclay who picked up a good ball, ran past the United defence and lobbed McLaughlin to put Rangers ahead. Within five minutes he got his second with a very similar goal, this time he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball to an empty net.

United were down, but not out, and McInally had another very good chance, but again his finish was poor. A few bookings took place as some robust tackles went in, but really it was not a game with any bad feeling, nor any injuries needing attention.

A goal completely out of the blue for United pulled them right back into the match as half-time approached. Jarvis ran through unchallenged and sent a great 25-yard drive past Dukes. Further chances came and Cumbernauld could have levelled before the interval but Rangers held on and just deserved to go in ahead.

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Barely a minute after the restart and from a corner Tough got his head to the ball and put Rangers two up once more. Cumbernauld hit back and McInally had a couple of chances, his header hit the crossbar, then he put a shot wide when Dukes had spilled a fierce drive. A minute later though, and the big keeper got his marching orders when he pulled down a Cumbernauld player in the box, Tait came on to take his place between the sticks, with Flannery making way for the keeper. Jarvis put the spotkick away well though, to pull United right back into the match with thirty five minutes still remaining.

Despite having the extra man, United failed to push home their asdvantage and Rangers were making just as many chances with Joe Barclay a continual threat. A Tough freekick brought a great save from McLaughlin, United had a few chances but were not really dominating the play and further changes were made by both managers, Andy Scott replaced McLellan, and finally McAteer came on for Joe Barclay who went off the applause of the Kilsyth fans.

The last few minutes saw United pushing forward, but the home defence was solid and Rangers took the points. Next Saturday they meet Rob-Roy in what may well be the section decider.

KILSYTH: Dukes, Doyle, D. Waters, Tough, Gannon, McLellan, Dolan, D. Barclay, J. Barclay, Flannery, Carr. Subs: McGinty, McAteer, Harty, Scott, Tait.

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CUMBERNAULD: McLaughlin, Renwick, Jarvis, Marsh, Dearie, McPhee, Barclay, Gibson, McInally, Allan, McClymont. Subs: Brown, Caldwell, Buchanan, Mills, Hayman.

Rangers signed Paddy Flannery from Linlithgow Rose to boost the squad before Saturday's match. He is a very experienced player who has played senior at Dumbarton and was a member of the Kelty Hearts team who went to the semi-final of the Scottish a couple of seasons back.

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