Colts Lose Opening League Game

Civil Service Strollers 2 Rangers 1

Two contrasting free-kicks were Rangers Colts undoing in their opening Lowland League game at Christie Gillies Park tonight. The first really should have been saved while it is doubtful any goalkeeper would have been able to do anything about the second strike. The first half was fairly even in terms of possession, with Rangers having the bulk after the break but rarely troubled MacAllan Whyte in the Civil Service goal.

The home side had a chance on twelve minutes when Connor Allan’s clearance struck a colleague and broke to Robbie Cole and his shot forced a save from Lewis Budinauckas. Five minutes later Louis Kennedy progressed on the right and from his cross Aliue Badra Faye headed just over.

Rangers took the lead with their first real effort on goal in the nineteenth minute, Charlie Lindsay’s free-kick from the left picked out Lewis MacKinnon arriving at the back post to knock the ball past the keeper. Nine minutes before the break Kane Ritchie-Hosler set off on a run from the halfway line and wide right, he cut inside and went past three defenders, when challenged on the edge of the box the ball broke to Robbie Ure inside the right side of the box and his shot forced MacAllan Whyte to save at his near post.

Six minutes before the break the sides were level. Euan Valentine’s free- kick from the right hand angle of the box caught out Lewis Budinacukas’s at his near post. On the stroke of half-time a brilliant strike from another Euan Valentine free-kick, this time more central and from around thirty yards gave the keeper no chance as it found his top right hand corner of the net.

Half-Time:- Civil Service Strollers 2 Rangers 1

Rangers had an early chance in the second half, Arron Lyall sent Robbie Fraser to the left hand byline and his superb cross just evaded Zak Lovelace at the back post. The home side looked sure to extend their lead just after the hour but Aliue Badra Faye got a poor connection on his shot and the chance was lost.

Rangers missed a great chance with eighteen minutes remaining, from Charlie Lindsay’s free-kick from the right Robbie Ure headed over. Rangers had the ball in the net seven minutes later, Zak Lovelace heading home Robbie Fraser’s cross from the left but he was flagged offside.

A couple of minutes later Charlie Lindsay’s powerfully struck twenty-five yard free kick saw MacAllan Whyte dive to his left to punch clear. The home side comfortably held out for the remainder of the match to secure the win.

Full-Time:- Civil Service Strollers 2 Rangers 1

Civil Service Strollers:- MacAllan Whyte; Daniel Irving, Baris Orturk (Conrad Balatoni 71 Mins), Arnault Kasa, Matthew Shaw; Euan Valentine; Marc Laird; Louis Kennedy (Innes Lawson 59 Mins), Matthew Cunningham (Johnathon Moffat 83 mins), Robbie Cole; Aliue Barda Faye (Harry Girdwood 83 mIns)

Not Used:- Ross Young, Aaron Smith, Andrew McKenzie

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Lewis MacKinnon, Connor Allan, Robbie Fraser; Mackenzie Strachan (Jack Harkness 67 Mins), Charlie Lindsay; Connor Young (Zak Lovelace HT); Ross McCausland, Robbie Ure, Arron Lyall (James Graham 67 Mins)

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Kelsey Ewan, Harley Ewan, Tyler Pasnik.