Kilmarnock 0 - 3 Rangers
(SPL U21 Match - Rugby Park, 30th September 2002, 7.00pm Kick Off)

A healthy Monday night crowd of 330 (thanks "ref") turned out for this postponed under 21 fixture against Rangers. Our esteemed leader Baz was late arriving and had trouble finding a parking space however he managed to secure one of the three vacant directors spaces - I'm sure it's what Bill Costley would have wanted.

The main talking point among the Killie fans was the appearance of French trialist Samuel Boutal formerly of Troyes and apparently the guy who scored a hat trick against Newcastle in last season's Intertoto Cup. His first main contribution was a headed knockdown after 5 minutes for Boyle to drill a low shot that was well saved by McGregor.

Rangers had a strong team out including Mols, McCann, Hughes and Malcolm. The forgotten Dutchman Mols should have put them in front after 10 minutes but from 7 yards however a wild miss kick saw Killie escape. Both teams were struggling to find a rhythm with half chances for McDonald and Boyle for Killie matched by a near thing by McLean at the other end.

The fans were making their own entertainment to stay warm in the West Stand with Rangers fans blasting out The Sash on a mobile which was immediately eclipsed by Paper Roses on a Nokia - what an atmosphere!!!!

The game burst to life in 30 minutes when Rangers hit Killie with two goals 
in two minutes. Gibson played a slide rule pass to McLean who slipped the 
ball under Meldrum for the opener then the lively Burke cut inside Hay 
before sending a delicate lob over Meldrum and into the pokey from 20 yards.

Killie were rattled at this stage and on the stroke of half time McLean could 
have made it three but his front post header sailed narrowly over. Rangers started the second half brightly but never managed to really trouble Samson who had replaced Meldrum at half time.

Killie then had a decent spell with the trialist being let down by his control when through on the keeper then being denied by McGregor who blocked his first time shot after he was well picked out by Boyd. The trialist then got himself a yellow card after a late tackle on Malcolm.

Rangers weathered this period before extending their lead when the smallest man in their team Gibson was allowed a free header from a corner kick. There was little further action although Boutal again went close when a header from 8 yards flew inches wide.

Not one of Killie's better performances although we don't normally face such strong opposition in this league. The trialist showed some nice touches but was fairly quiet overall - hardly surprising as the guy hasn't been playing regular competitive football since last season. JJ sounded quite keen on the guy when he spoke at the Supporters meeting last Thursday so I'm sure he'll be trying to get him tied up on a short term deal at least. Other than Boutal Killie battled hard without looking good enough and Boyd put in as good a shift as anyone.

Kilmarnock: Meldrum (Samson 45), Canning, Dillon, Locke, McGregor, Hay, 
McDonald, Trialist, Boyd, Murray (Jaconelli 78), Boyle
Subs not used: Gilroy, Gold,  McGuinness

Rangers: McGregor,  B. Gibson, Hutton, Malcolm, Dowie (Dale 70), Hughes (McHale 58), McCann (Brighton 58), J. Gibson, Mols, McLean, Burke
Subs not used: Smith, Dobbie

Referee: M. Sproule

Report by The Killie Hippo and photos by Sandy Ferguson