Two former Rangers Academy starlets helped to down the Gers B team on Tuesday as top spot in the Lowland League was relinquished.
Ross Young and Joao Balde both turned out for Civil Service Strollers, who triumphed 3-1 in Dumbarton.
David McCallum’s side had got off to a brilliant start in the Lowland League, winning each of their first three matches against Bo’ness United, The Spartans and East Stirlingshire without conceding a goal.
Those results left them top of the table, above Dalbeattie Star on goal difference.
However, they have now dropped down to third after being soundly beaten at ‘home’ by the Strollers [Slfl.co.uk].
An excellent free-kick from Matthew Shaw put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute and the score stayed that way until the 52nd minute when Alieau Badra Faye doubled their advantage.
Lewis Duffy made it three just after the hour mark and although Tony Weston pulled one back for the Gers in the 73rd minute with a ‘fantastic finish’, the deficit was too big to claw back.
“We weren’t good enough, that’s unfortunately what we’ve got to say tonight,” said McCallum after the game [RangersTV]. “The lads have done really well in the games up until this point but we didn’t start well enough in the first half and they scored a goal from a free-kick which was something to go and protect and defend against and it becomes difficult.”
“Ultimately, in the first half, we didn’t have enough energy, we didn’t have enough quality and these are things that haven’t been labelled at the guys up until this stage, so we have to use that situation and try to make sure we don’t put ourselves in that position again.”
Perhaps the young Rangers talents are finding playing twice a week difficult but this Lowland League campaign was never likely to be a breeze.
Academy staff have complained about a lack of proper tests for youngsters in recent seasons and last night’s experience will be far better for player development than dishing out hammerings in friendlies to youth teams with inferior resources.
There’s a big chance for the group to bounce back at the weekend, with a crunch clash against Celtic B in Airdrie on Saturday.
The first team start their Premiership campaign on the same day and here’s our Predicted XI for the Livingston clash.
