Stollers Beat Rangers In Opening Game Of The Season
Stollers Beat Rangers In opening Game Of The Season with energy and a strong desire set the match tone, but it was Strollers who had the first opportunity with just a minute on the clock.
Cole broke down the left wing and managed to break away from MacKinnon defending the front post, he picked out Kennedy who had found some space in the box, but Lindsay was on hand to clear the early danger.
This early scare had an immediate effect on McCallum’s squad as the youngsters looked to respond positively and take control of the game quickly. Young and McCausland were in the middle of the park who weaved their way towards Whyte in goals, but the home side’s defence did well to break down the attack.
The two sides continued to battle across all areas of the pitch with each team providing excellent transition play into the final thirds, but both lines of defence remained firm.
The Gers did well to maintain the pressure on the strollers and were able to open the scoring in the 17th minute. Lindsay sent a superb delivery into a congested box after Rangers were awarded a free kick close to the half way line. His effort met MacKinnon at the back post who was able to tap the ball past the keeper to open the scoring for the Gers.
However, not long before the end of the first half, Jardine’s side found the equalising goal to close the deficit. After being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Gers’ box, Euan Valentine sent a curling effort towards the Rangers goal, and Budinauckas was unable to block his strike.
Disappointingly, it was the home side who went into the half-time break in the lead after Valentine scored his double from another free-kick.
The Light Blues began to find their rhythm in the second half with great build-up play, but the home side’s backline made important interceptions to defuse the danger.
Strollers did threaten the Rangers backline, as Cunningham sent a low effort across the face of the goal, but it fell just wide of the back post.
In the 74th minute, Robbie Ure almost levelled the game after a superb header from a Lindsay cross, but his effort drifted agonisingly wide.
In the final moments of the match, Rangers sent the ball into the back of the net to secure the equaliser, but the linesman’s flag was risen to end the score line 2-1.
CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS: Whyte, Irving, Valentine, Kasa, Shaw, Ozturk, Cole, Laird, Cunningham, Kennedy, Faye.
SUBS: Lawson, Balatoni, Moffat, Young, Trialist, Smith, Mackenzie.
