STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 19/1/08
BEITH
JUNIORS 2 KILSYTH RANGERS 0
Another three points gone and it makes the
task of escaping from the relegation zone increasingly remote. At least it
was a much improved showing from the debacle against Pollok in the last game
but there is still a way to go before Rangers can be confident of picking up
a few victories. In the end the result did not flatter Beith; they had most
of the pressure and adapted better to the slope of Bellesdale park, even
kicking up the hill they had moat of the play.
Rangers had wind advantage
for the first half but faced the sight of the Beith goal at the top of the
mighty slope. Beith pressed from the beginning and were soon firing in a
few shots which Colquhoun was doing well to keep out. However he could only
do so much and in sixteen minutes he could only parry another shot which
CANNING picked up and fired past the keeper. Rangers were showing a few nice
touches but were unable to mount any sustained attacks. Mid-way through the
half and they won a freekick some twenty two yards out. REID struck a low
shot which took a slight deflection off a defender, struck the base of the
post and rebounded across goal to end up behind Colquhoun. This at last
seemed to stir rangers into some action and Christie came very close with a
twenty five yard dipping shot which only just cleared the crossbar. Then
Gary McStay was very unlucky with a very good effort from around thirty five
yards which the Beith keeper turned away for a corner. Straight away and
rangers mounted another attack with a goal bound shot being stopped by
Stewart, using a hand. A penalty for Rangers, but only a yellow card for the
Beith player and McGuinness' effort from the spot was straight at Wight who
made a good save. rangers brief spell in the ascendency was soon over and Beith had the better of the remainder of the first period.
Kicking
down the slope, it was hoped that Rangers could make a quick reply but it
was not to be; Beith again had the best of the play for the first quarter of
an hour or so. rangers did show some nice play at times but there was little
threat up front while the home side always looked dangerous on the break.
Colquhoun was left badly exposed on a few occasions but made some
courageous saves and a couple of times had to make tackles outside his
penalty area. He made another few good saves and was probably Rangers best
player on the day. Newcomer, Smith, came on for Christie and his height
offered some threat in the Beith box but he was given little chance to take
advantage. Beith remained in control and in the end were comfortable
winners, this result shows there is still a long way to go before the tide
is turned in Rangers favour.
John
Goodwin and Gary McSeveney have both left Duncansfield for Shotts Bon
Accord. Coming in so far are Micheal Daly, central defender, from Camelon and
Smith, forward from Arthurlie. There are likely to be a few more comings
and goings in the next few weeks as Matt Coulter rejigs the squad.
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 2/2/08
KILSYTH RANGERS
0 ARTHURLIE 3
Another poor result and Rangers remain rooted at the
bottom of the Premier division; there were some encouraging signs though,
the work rate of the team could not be faulted and despite being reduced to
ten men when Gary Meechan was the victim of a particularly harsh ordering
off decision they had the best of the play in the latter stages of the
game. It may be too late to escape the drop this season but thye task of
rebuilding for a speedy return is now well under way.
One of only a
handfull of games to survive the weather the committee and ground staff had
done a fine job in getting Duncansfield prepared for the fixture and it was
in fine condition come kick-off time. It was a pretty even tussle in the
early stages with both teams finding their feet on the soft surface.
Arthurlie began to press the Kilsyth defence and were looking the more
likely to open the scoring and in twenty one one minutes they did just that
when WINTERS latched on to a ball from McFadden to shoot home a fine goal
from twenty yards. Four minutes later and they had gone further ahead, this
time it was a free kick award and JOHNSTONE hit the net from around twenty
five yards. Arthurlie were well on top now and continued their dominance
right up till the interval, they had further chances , Rangers had scarcely
had a shot on target in the entire first half.
Three minutes into
the second half and Rangers at last made a real chance; Daly got the ball
and really should have scored but the keeper managed to push the ball to the
post and it stayed out. It was a more even contest now and Rangers were
getting forward much more although Arthurlie always looked more dangerous on
the break and almost had another from a shot which hit the post Then
mid-way through the half came the incident which changed the game; Gary
Meechan, who had been having a very good game went into a tackle against
Johnstone. He won the ball, which was burst with the force of the tackle but
the Arthurlie player went down with a leg injury. The referee rewarded Gary
with a red card for a hard, but fair tackle although Johnstone was
stretchered off. Down to ten but the next twenty minutes or so was
Rangers best period of the game with Christie, McDevitt and Marshall all
coming on for a spell and producing some very good play. With just a couple
of minutes left though, a breakaway saw Arthurlie get a third when Bradford
ran almost the length of the park and slot home a low shot past Colquhoun.
Not a good outcome but some hope that things will improve before long.
SIAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 9/2/08
PETERSHILL 2 KILSYTH RANGERS 0
Another defeat for Rangers and the fourth successive league match in
which they have failed to find the net. The drop into the first
division has gone from highly probable to a virtual certainty. The task
of rebuilding the side to make a quick return to the Premier is under
way though, with some of the new signings starting to settle in
although a couple of the old faces should now take the hint and make
way for the new.
It was an ideal day for football with mild, springlike conditions for
Rangers first ever visit to the new Petershill stadium, in marked
contast to the recent wet and windy spell. It was a fairly even opening
spell with Rangers finding their feet on the artificial turf although
it must be said that it provides an ideal surface for a passing game.
The home side soon began to press forward though and there were a few
moments of panic in the Rangers goalmouth before the ball was scrambled
away. In nineteen minutes after some sustained Petershill pressure
Carella took the ball down the right and put a perfect low cross ball
over for McALEENAN to fire home a shot past the helpless Colquhoun.
Petershill continued their domination and almost went two up when they
had a freekick hit the crossbar. It was thirty five minutes in before
Rangers had a real chance, Daly having a chance with a header which
slipeed just wide. Another Peasy freekick, and again it struck the
crossbar before Welsh had another chance for Rangers; and again his
header was just off target.
Rangers had a brief period of attacking after the restart but the
normal pattern of the game soon re-established with Petershill pushing
up and making many more chances. McStay went off, to be replaced by
Jamie McDevitt and he added another dimension to Rangers attack and
along with Daly and newcomer Doyle at the back can be counted as among
Rangers better players on the day. Then about eighteen minutes in a bad
error by Ferguson let DALLAS in to score an easy second goal with a lob
into an empty net. It was as good as over from here on in, Rangers did
not give up but Petershill were always in control and were content to
knock the ball about for long spells. Rangers wewre being caught in the
offside trap on occasion and with the game into added time were
eventually reduced to ten men when McDevitt received a second yellow
card after a seemingly innocuous tussle with a home player. A sad end
to another very forgettable afternoon.
KILSYTH ; Colquhoun, Galloway, Ferguson, Tough, Doyle, Mclaughlin,
Daly, welsh, Watson, Donnelly, McStay.
Subs. Mullen, McDevitt, Marshall, McCluskie, Gibb.
PETERSHILL; Parry, Wild, McAleenan, Merriman, Joyce, Coulter, Carella,
Keenan, Dallas, Burns, McCarroll.
Subs. McPhee, Asante, Blair, Murray, McVittie..
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 16/2/08
KILSYTH RANGERS 0 BELLSHILL ATHLETIC 2
Another depressing afternoon for the long suffering Kilsyth fans who
have yet to see their team gain a point, or even score a goal, since
the turn of the year. Yet again they failed to finish with eleven men
on the park; reduced to ten in the first half they finished with nine
after a further red card in the final minute. Amongst all their other
problems, on-field discipline needs to be addressed.
With Gary Meechan currently under suspension Rangers gave a debut
appearance to his namesake, Graeme Meechan. Opening play was fairly
even and Rangers first chance came from a Tough cross into the
Bellshill goalmouth but Daly put his effort over the bar. Bellshill
gained a couple of corners and had a freekick award just outside the
box but failed to take advantage. Boyd was clean through on goal but
Colquhoun blocked his shot. Almost on the half hour and a skirmish
involving Tough and Nicholls saw both red carded, rather harsh on both
when a yellow would have been sufficient punishment.Another chance for
Boyd to break the deadlock but this time he blasted the ball clean over
the crossbar. A minute later and Felids headed over from very close
range when it seemed easier to score. Rangers wwere lucky to go in
still on level terms at halftime.
A short flurry of attack from Rangers before Bellshill re-asserted
themselves and in fifty one minutes they went ahead following a
freekick; a mis-kicked attempt at goal fell to COULTER who scored from
a suspiciously offside position, but the goal stood and Rangers were
behind . Changes were made with Christie coming on for Daly who had
contributed little and within a couple of minutes had a chance when
through on the Bellshill keeper but his effort was blocked. In the main
the home attacks seldom produced any good scoring opportunities and
whilst Bellshill were no great shakes either they could have easily
added to their score more than once. with ten minutes remaining
Donnelly replaced Welsh but again it made little noticable difference
until with just a couple of minutes left an attack brought three great
chances in quick succession, the keeper saved the first, a second was
cleared off the line then a final attempt was turned for a corner.
Bellshill went staight upfield. Doyle brought down Bellshill sub.,
Brownlie in the box. Doyle walked, and LAUGHLAN scored from the
resulting spot-kick to make it two for the visitors almost on the final
whistle. The first division awaits, the question is - are we good
enough for it?
KILSYTH; Colquhoun, Meechan, Ferguson, Gibb, Doyle, Tough, Galloway,
Daly, Watson, McStay, Welsh.
Subs. Donnelly, Docherty, Christie, Marshall, McLaughlin
BELLSHILL: McNab,McDonald, Franchitti, Coulter, Murray, Nicholls,
McGrogan, Laughlan, Boyd, Felids, Watson.
Subs. Nicholson, Sichi, Patterson, Brownlie, Gibson.
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 1/3/08
KILSYTH RANGERS 0 SHOTTS BON ACCORD 3
Rangers dismal record was extended by one more defeat, making it seven
matches since fans last saw a goal from their team. And it was in a
game against the team immediately above them in second bottom place
against which they might have hoped to pick up at least one point.
Rangers record in recent years against Shotts has not been anything to
boast about , and once again they failed to improve on it.
The opening spell though, gave the fans some hope that Rangers might
finally get a win; a shot from McStay was blocked and turned for a
corner, then Blair had an attempt hit the roof of the net, and finally
Watson missed a good chance by sending the ball high and wide. Before
long though it was Shotts fans who had something to celebrate, ex-
Ranger John GOODWIN hit a cracking twenty yard volley which went in off
the crossbar. Rangers attempted to come back and were denied what
looked a certain penalty award when another ex-Ranger, Steven Lowe,
handled the ball, but the ref. either failed to spot it or ignored it.
Mid-way through the half and crunching tackle by McNulty on Galloway
earned a red card for the Shotts defender and they were reduced to ten.
Rangers tried to take advantage of the extra man and had most of the
play for the remainder of the first half but had little punch in front
of goal.
Rangers were now facing the stiff breeze which they had failed to take
advantage of in the first forty five minutes and in fact it was Shotts
who began to have much more of the play although one man short. They
pushed up and forced several corners and were not shy of having a shot
at goal whenever the opportunity arose. On the hour mark Donnelly
replaced Watson but to little effect and it was Shotts who went two up
through BARR just a minute later. It was the visitors who were looking
like the side with the extra man at times and the game was effectively
killed stone dead in seventy two minutes when McGLADRIGAN ran in from
what looked a well offside position to score a third. With the game
well won Shotts made a couple of changes and sat back and although
Christie, who came on for Welsh late in the game showed some good
touches it was much too late and Shoots took all three points to give
them a good chance of pulling out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile
Rangers must prepare for life in the first division.
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 15/3/08
NEILSTON JUNIORS 3
KILSYTH RANGERS 2
Rangers long losing sequence continues for at least
another couple of weeks with no game scheduled for the Easter weekend but at
last there are some signs that they might be about to turn the corner and
rebuild the side to consolidate in the first division next season. This
result flattered Neilston and with just a modicum of luck Rangers could have
taken the points. A commanding central defender would make an immense
difference and the absence of Greg McDonald this season has perhaps been
the biggest loss to the team.
It was an even start to the game but only
seven minutes in and a bad mistake by keeper Mitchell when he failed to hold
an easy ball let McGOWAN in to score the opener. Neilston were looking like
adding another for a short spell but Rangers won a corner following on a
freekick into the box by Gary McStay and BAIRD headed in the equaliser
in twelve minutes. It was a more open game now although the best scoring
chances were still coming from the home side, McGowan, in particular, was
proving a real thorn in the Rangers side and he almost had another but
Mitchell stuck out a foot to prevent an almost certain goal.Then Harkins
struck the post with a good shot and had a second go from the rebound but
sent it wide when it looked easier to score. Rangers were playing some nice
football in mid-field but not troubling Hewitt with too many shots on
target. Almost on the break and Mitchell had to run almost twenty yards out
of his box to make a tackle when he was left badly exposed.
Neilston
restarted the stronger and after only six minutes they went ahead McGOWAN
took a ball into the Kilsyth box and blasted home an uinsaveable shot from
eight yards. Rangers came back strongly and Baird did well to take the
ball into the box but his final shot was well saved by Hewitt. A penalty
award to Neilston following a handball let BRYERS add a third for Neilston
and at this stage it looked as if another heavy defeat might be on the cards
and when McStay was shown a red card just a couple of minutes later itonly
compounded the misery. A couple of changes were made with Docherty and
Galloway coming on and Rangers started to come back into the game. Manager
Matt Coulter was also ordered from the dugout for apparently making some
remarks in the direction of the referee. With time running out some nice
work by Donnelly set up BAIRD to score a consolation second goal. To late to
make a difference but at least Rangers now seem to have found a genuine
striker who will get goals given some support.
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 5/4/08
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 6 KILSYTH RANGERS 0
Another crushing defeat to add to Rangers miserable record this
season; never the happiest of hunting grounds in the quest for points
it takes a fan with a very long memory to recall their last victory
here.Yet the early indications in this latest visit were that perhaps
they could break their long sequence of losses and take at least one
point back home. However, once behind, it was back to the same pattern
of losing easy goals and then the final result was never in doubt.
Manager Matt Coulter had a couple of trialists in his starting line-up
in an effort to find a winning combination and the opening exchanges
showed little sign of what was to come, Rangers were showing some nice
play although there was little goalmouth action at either end in the
first quarter of an hour or so. By the mid point of the first half it
was definitely Rangers who looked the more likely but then a shot from
Glens Feroz was blocked and fell kindly to GORMLEY who had an easy tap
in to open the scoring for the homesters. From here on there was a
noticable drop in Rangers confidence and ten minutes later Glenafton
went two up when FEROZ netted with a spectacular overhead kick which
gave Mitchell no chance. Just one minute later andit was FEROZ again
who gathered the ball in mid-field and ran in on goal, rounding
Mitchell who had come well out of his area and finished with a shot
into the empty net. Five minutes from halftime and a further blow when
Ferguson was taken off struggling from the effects of an early leg
knock, to be replaced by Meechan. Then almost on the stroke of halftime
fine interplay involving Haggerty and AGNEW brought a fourth goal for
Glenafton.
With the game now as good as over it was Glenafton who had almost
total domination of the play after the interval and the only question
was how many they might add in the second period. As it was it took
almost twenty minutes of non-stop pressure before they scored another;
GORMLEY unmarked in the box getting his second of the day. Finally
substitute ANDERSON made it six with around quarter of an hour
remaining and from here on in Glenafton were content to sit back with
the job well done although they did have a few more chances. In the
last ten minutes Rangers did come back a little and gained a few
corners which brought no tangible reward and the final whistle came as
a relief to the small band of faithfull Kilsyth fans who had made the
journey to witness yet another defeat. The end of the season is now in
sight and cannot come too soon.
KILSYTH; Mitchell, Gary Meechan, Carr, Doyle, Ferguson, Whitelaw,
Upton, McStay, Baird, Waters, Daly.
Subs. Donnelly, Docherty, Graeme Meechan, McLuskie, Watson.
GLENAFTON; Mathews, Connelly, Quinn, Merrilees, McGregor, Howie,
Heggerty, Doyle, Feroz, Gormley, Agnew.
Subs. Grant, Eeels, Deenie, Stewart, Anderson.
Sponsors
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 26/04/08
Auchinleck 6 Kilsyth 1
This was rangers last visit to Ayshire in what has become a season they will want to forget and it resulted in yet another heavy defeat but the scale of the loss did not truly reflect the performance by a makeshift side which produced some fine play and were at least a match for Talbot in many respects. What did let them down was the lack of a dominating defender and a real striker up front. Once these issues are addressed then there should be some light at the end of the tunnel.
It was an encouraging start by Rangers for the few fans who made the journey with good play from McStay giving Daly a chance but his header was well saved by Strain. Talbot broke away immediately and MALLEN met no opposition as he went through for the opener. Rangers continued to produce some nice football and Daly had the ball in the net but was given offside. On the half hour mark and again naive defending let McKELVIE break away and was given two chances before netting. A few minutes later and MALLEN was again unchallenged as he rose to head in from a corner. Three down and yet Rangers had the best of play up to this point. They did get some consolation when Gary McSTAY hit a great strike from just outside the box to pull one back almost on half time.
Rangers restarted well and looked like they might pull another one back in the early stages of the second then a further blow when referee Clancy awarded Talbot a very soft penalty for what was no more than pushing in the furhtest corner of the box. BOYLE netted efficiently and the game was now as good as over. A fifth came for McKELVIE when he was given too much space on the edge of the box and right on the final whistle SLAVIN completed the scoring with a good strike. A scoreline which really did not do justice to the effort that Rangers put in to the game and now that it is certain they will be playing first division football next season the rebuilding proccess is under way.
All club members are reminded that the AGM will be held at Duncansfield in Sunday 11th May at 7pm.
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 7/5/08
POLLOK 1 KILSYTH RANGERS 0
It wasn't a win, but to the few Rangers fans who travelled to Pollok
last wednesday evening it almost felt like one.
Following the recent series of drubbings there was some concern as to
the likely outcome of this visit to the team who had scored nine on
their last visit to Duncansfield and were now chasing Irvine Meadow for
the title; but in the event rangers aquitted themselves well, with a
much improved display despite being desperately short of players.
An early blow when chris Docherty had to go off after only four
minutes with a leg strain, McLuskie coming on , leaving Rangers with
only one sub on the bench. It was Pollok who had the best of the early
play although they were also forced to make an early substitution just
ten minutes in. Greg Mitchell made a fine save from a Dingwall effort
and set the stage for what was to be possibly his best display since
coming to Kilsyth. However he could do little to stop a great header
from DINGWALL after twewnty five minute which put Pollok into the lead.
In contrast to many of the recent games though there was no collapse
following the goal and although Polok continued to have most of the
pressure Rangers were never out of it and did have a few chances to
level the score, the closest being a Donnelly shot which hit Robertson
just before halftime.
The second forty five minutes followede a very similiar path to the
first, Pollok doing most ot the attacking but dogged defending and
again a series of good saves from Mitchell enabling Rangers to stay in
the game with a chance. For their own part there was some good play at
times although as always there was seldom much threat inside the
penalty box. As the game neared its climax the Pollok fans were the
ones calling for the referee to blow for time as they became
increasingly nervous of dropping a couple of points and indeed Rangers
best effort of the game came well into added time. Now with just two
home games left Rangers will wind up their season with a visit from
Auchinleck and finally Cumnock on a date yet to be arranged.
KILSYTH; Mitchell, Graeme Meechan, Carr, Gibb, Doyle, Docherty, Gary
Meechan, Watters, Donnelly, Watson, Daly.
Subs. Marshall, McLuskie, Baird.
POLLOK; K Robertson, McKeown, Cruikshank, S Robertson, Miller, McLay,
Ryan, Logan, Dingwall, Downs, Mckay.
Subs. Heaton, Booth, McGeown, Hyslop, Newall.
STAGECOACH WEST REGION SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER 17/5/08
KILSYTH RANGERS 1 CUMNOCK JUNIORS 4
Rangers say goodbye to the Premier division, for one season at least,
as they lost out to the Scottish cup finalists in their final match.
Hopes that they might add to their meagre points total were briefly
raised as they took an early lead and held out till almost halftime but
It was a familiar story once the visitors equalised and took over to
gain the three points which might keep them in the Premier for another
year.
Cumnock started the game needing to win their remaining two matches to
avoid the play-off and despite this incentive it was Rangers who looked
the better in the early play. A long ball up from Graeme Meechan was
latched on to by Gary McSTAY who shot Rangers into the lead in only six
minutes. Cumnock were stung by this reverse and came back at Rangers
with some good attacking play but there luck was out in front of goal.
Paddy Donnelly was pretty much ploughing a lone furrow for Rangers up
front and when he clashed with Potter the keeper needed lenghty
treatment before being able to carry on. Cumnock were really turning the
screw as the interval neared and when they gained a corner almost on
the halftime whistle MCGOWAN got in a header for the equaliser.
Cumnock were well in control from the restart and were awarded a
rather soft penalty eight minutes in, Mitchell saved and pushed the
ball opnto the post before gathering the rebound. The referee was set
to allow play to continue but was signaled by his assistant that the
ball had actually crossed the line. Mitchell and several Kilsyth
players mobbed the referee but to no avail, the goal stood and four
yellow cards were issued. It may have been a doubtful decision but it
only served to highlight the futility of the protests. Three minutes
later and the game was effectively over when CAMPBELL headed in a third
for Cumnock. However Rangers did at least make efforts to get back
into the game and if Donnelly had some support up front then they might
have managed to achieve something. Rangers brought on McDevitt and the
trialist but it made little difference and when BARR added a fourth
near the end it only emphasised the difference in class between the
teams. Now rebuilding for life in the First division must begin in
earnest, it will be no easy task to bounce back.
KILSYTH; Mitchell, Graeme Meechan, Carr, Gibb, Doyle, Whitelaw, Gary
Meechan, Watters, Donnelly, Daly, McStay.
Subs. McLuskey, Watson, McDevitt, Marshall, Trialist.
CUMNOCK; Potter, Farrell, McInally, Forde, McGowan, Murray, Desmond,
McDonald, Barr, Campbell, McLay.
Subs. Hepperan, Henderson, Cameron, Moan, Wilson.
The AGM of the club was held in the club hut last Sunday and was a
rather low key affair despite the poor results of the past year.
There was little dissent from the floor as it was revealed thet the
club finances were still in relatively good shape despite the early
exits from all the cup competitions and the very poor league showing.
It was felt that perhaps we had given the previous manager too much
time and action should have been taken earlier to look for a
replacement. There had been almost a complete turnaround in playing
staff and some quality replacements would be sought for the start of
the new season. The committee were reappointed en-masse but it was
disappointing that no new members came forward to assist. Membership
fees will be unchanged and no new Honorary members were elected.
