Killie Founder On The Rock!

Rangers 1 - 0 Kilmarnock
(SPL Under 21 Match - Dumbarton, 24th March 2003, 7.00pm Kick Off)

As it was my first visit to the Strathclyde Homes Stadium, I took the pleasant drive down under a piercing red evening sun with the kind of curious anticipation only true football devotees and anoraks can feel. The ground itself sits amid striking scenery in the shadow of Dumbarton rock, a modern landmark amongst historical surroundings.

There's only one stand at the stadium, rather optimistically named the West Stand, out of hope perhaps that demand may see the other corners of the compass represented in the future. So this meant that I was in with the legions of darkness, although there wasn't as many as I expected; maybe 200 or so. I did spot 2 other Killie fans but they shall remain nameless...

The game itself was a pretty even affair with Rangers perhaps having the better chances overall, although the young Killie side battled well in the second half. Neither keeper had been tested in the opening 25 minutes when Colin Stewart found himself picking the ball out of the net after the only goal of the game. A beautifully crossed free-kick from the right, from the left foot of Christian Nerlinger was met unchallenged by the head of Chris McLeod for what proved to be the winner.

For the most of the first half the battle was in the midfield with Canning and McDonald doing well to limit the space given to Nerlinger. Jacko seemed out of sorts but he always does to me in U21 matches. He had a few good runs but more often than not he tended to over elaborate and lose possession. Stevie Murray was finding a lot of space on the left, but too often the ball never reached him.

Killie made two changes at half time with McGlinchey and McGuiness coming on for Gilroy and Coyle. This saw Dino switching from left-back to centre-half alongside McLaughlin. The changes seemed to give Killie a fresh impetus and they went on to push Rangers hard throughout most of the second half.

As Murray and McGlinchey probed well down the flanks, clear opportunities fell to Jacko and McDonald, although the equalizer never came. By this stage Rangers were sitting in and playing on the counter, carving out several clear chances of their own, particularly through the impressive Steven McLean, but it ended 1-0 to the home side and ultimately disappointing for Killie.

The only other point of note was a particularly late challenge on Alex Walker by Jaconelli which saw the young Ranger carried from the field. Overall though a good game, played at a fair pace and with no little skill on show from both teams.

Killie MOTM: Stevie Murray.

Rangers: G. Smith, Hutton, S. Smith, Eggan, McLeod, Walker (Davidson), Burk, Nerlinger, McLean, Dobie, Leven.
Subs (not used): McKean, McKenzie, White, Gebbie.

Kilmarnock: Stewart, McGregor, Dillon, McLaughlin, Coyle (McGuiness), Gilroy (McGlinchey), McDonald, Canning, Jaconelli, Di Giacomo, Murray.
Subs (not used): Gold, Samson, J.P. Boyle.

Match report courtesy of David Hannah