Relegation blow for Rangers

Kilsyth Rangers 1Girvan 2Stagecoach West Region Superleague First Division

THIS defeat finally and definitely condemns Rangers to at least one season in the District League.

If they are to bounce back again then changes will be needed in all departments to build a team capable of maintaining a presence in the Superleague.

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Unfortunately, the game was marred in the final seconds by serious injuries to two players, one from each team, who were taken to hospital.

Rangers have a very poor record against Girvan. They had recorded four defeats in four meetings up until this match but were hopeful of at last getting a win and keeping their faint hopes of survival alive.

Girvan won the toss and opted to play with the benefit of the stiff breeze for the first half.

Within the first couple of minutes the visitors hit the post and bar and looked likely to score almost every time they got within shooting distance.

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They were moving the ball much better than the home side and made quite a few more openings as the half progressed.

Rangers' attempts at goal, by contrast, were few and it was almost on half-time before they had a real scoring opportunity when McAteer was given a good opening but sent his shot wide. Rangers were lucky to be still on level terms at the interval.

The second half was barely three minutes old when MOFFAT ran through and brushed off several challenges before slipping the ball past Dukes to put Girvan ahead.

They continued to create chances, but eventually Rangers came back into the match and had a few shots at goal.

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As he game entered the last 20 minutes, Kelly made a good run into the Girvan penalty box and was pulled down as he prepared to pull the trigger. The resulting spot kick was well converted by Paul DOYLE to pull Rangers back into the game.

A couple of changes were then made, with Martin replacing McJimsey and Neville coming on for Carr.

Girvan also made a couple of substitutions, and with a little over five minutes left Rangers made their final change when Murray limped off to be replaced by Hodge.

Seconds later, Dalrymple pulled up while running into the box and also had to go off to reduce Rangers to ten men.

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Within a minute, Girvan scored their second through GILMOUR, although he looked suspiciously offside.

Rangers piled on the pressure in the last few minutes and twice came very close to an equaliser.

Keeper Dukes went up for the corners and even had an effort cleared off the line.

Then, with the game well into added time, Dukes came rushing out to intercept an attack and collided with Callum Scott and a Girvan player. Both went down and it was immediately obvious they were badly hurt. The game was held up for about ten minutes while they were given first aid, but medical assistance was required and fortunately an ambulance and paramedics were on hand in a commendably short time.

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Both players had leg injuries, the Girvan player's the more serious, and he was removed in the ambulance.

Scott was taken by car for further checks in hospital, and the extent of the damage was not known as the News went to press.

The squad is now down to the absolute minimum for the few remaining games.

Kilsyth; Dukes, Scott, D Waters, Doyle, Murray, L Waters, Kelly, McJimsey, McAteer, Dalrymple, Carr. Subs. Martin, Neville, Hodge, McGinty, McPeake, O'Boyle.

Girvan; Leavy, McGilp, Smith, Cunningham, O'Donnell, Biggart, Gilmour, Wallace, Mitchell, Moffat, Shankland. Subs. Murphy, Dickson, Gilmour, Dawe.

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