Civil Service Strollers 2-1 Rangers B

Civil Service Strollers 2-1 Rangers B

Lowland League

Friday 22nd July 2022

This was a night that Civil Service Strollers will want to remember (and Rangers B will want to forget) as the part-timers upset the professionals in the Lowland League season-opener at Christie Gillies Park.

Infront of a decent-sized crowd, things were going in Rangers favour initially as Charlie Lindsay’s set-piece bounced up inside the hosts’ six-yard box for Lewis MacKinnon who coolly converted at the far-post to make it 1-0 midway through the first half.

Nevertheless, the game was then turned on its head before the break courtesy of two contrasting free-kicks by Euan Valentine.

The Strollers equalised on 38 minutes when Valentine’s first effort from the right was well-struck and somehow squirmed past Lewis Budinacukas who'll know himself that he ought to have done better with it. Five minutes later, Valentine scored again in far more spectacular style when he unleashed a venomous thunderbolt from a central position which flew straight into the net. Two ‘keepers would have struggled to save it and such was its quality that you might not see a better strike in the Lowland League this season.

'Sweet Valentine' indeed for the Strollers at this point!

With Rangers rattled, the second half was all about trying to get back into the game and trying to get an equaliser and although Zak Lovelace provided something of a focal point up top following his introduction at half-time, the Strollers defence soon got to grips with him and were able to contain that threat.

If anything, Civil Service ought to have grabbed a third - especially when their own towering frontman, Aliue Badra Faye, saw the ball drop at his feet unmarked inside the area close to the hour mark only for him to screw his attempt wide when it looked for all the world that he’d make it 3-1.

As a sense of desperation kicked in, Rangers applied plenty of pressure. 

The youngsters played the better football, were sharp and good within their build up play but lacked that final ball to get in-behind the home defence. They did create a few openings as Robbie Ure latched onto a deep cross from open play by Lindsay but couldn’t get enough direction or purchase on his header to trouble the ‘keeper, whilst Lovelace put the ball in the net from Robbie Fraser’s left-sided cross only to see the flag raised because he’d strayed into an offside position.

With the home defence tiring against the energetic youngsters, they conceded a string of free-kicks inside their own half in the final 10 minutes yet each time Rangers pumped the ball into the box, it was cleared away by the defence who held firm. From one set-piece where a shooting opportunity was possible, Lindsay saw his effort parried away by the ‘keeper and the danger came to pass.

Eventually, time ran out and the Strollers were victorious and some cheeky post-match celebrations with ‘I'm Feeling It’ playing aloud over the PA system and in the Hospitality Room as the players left the pitch just yards away was proof that one or two were going to milk the moment; though who could blame them given the surprising scoreline?

Plenty of credit has to go to CSS because despite the fact they had barely any time on the ball (which was due to how sharp and alert Rangers’ players were out of possession), they combatted that problem with being physical when it was needed, being strong and organised too and they were difficult to break down or play through. Arnault Kasa (No.4) deserves a special mention for a very solid performance and he'll add a lot to a team which did well in the Lowland League last year.

Rangers will be disappointed to have lost because they’ll feel that they should be beating every team they come up against in the Lowland League. That isn't arrogance, it's reality and their expectations, yet for all of their possession in the game, they didn’t carve out many openings, breach their opponents backline that often or look massively dangerous. They have good players and that can't be questioned but things looked a little bit disjointed at times, especially in higher areas, and it will need to improve as the season progresses if they're to stand a chance of replicating last season's finish.

One of the reasons why I was looking forward to watching this game was to see Ross McCausland in action again. He set such a good standard last season and scored in his trial at De Graafschap last week. I’ll always back his ability to the hilt because I rate him exceptionally highly and I trust my own judgement on players, but even for him, this was just one of those nights where things just didn’t click or function as well as they could have and he'll be frustrated as anyone to have been on the losing team.

Despite the scoreline, some Rangers players who I've not necessarily watched specifically in the past did make good impressions. 

Kane Ritchie-Hosler was good at carrying the ball forward, had an athletic turn of pace which led to two or three dangerous situations and turned out to be one of their best threats. Aaron Lyall looked very comfortable on the ball, demonstrated a good first touch in various instances and I’d like to see both of them again over a few games at some point.

But fair play to Civil Service Strollers on a good win, being top of the Lowland League table (for now at least) and good luck to them over the remainder of the season.

Next Up: Hearts B vs Berwick Rangers.