Rangers given vital soccer lesson

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 3

Rangers given vital soccer lesson

By

DAVID LEGGAT

By making better use of its ' scoring opportunities, Mount Wellington taught Rangers a vital soccer lesson in yesterday's Rothmans League match at Rangers Park. The, Mount scored twice from seven reasonable scoring chances to beat Rangers, 2-1. But in terms of chances created, particularly in the first half, Rangers could consider itself unlucky to have been beaten.

But having realised that it would have to make the very best of limited possession against the league leader, Rangers must be unhappy that it did not do better than one goal. It was not an especially impressive performance from the Mount, a fact admitted after the match by its coach, Mr John Houghton. He conceded he was not happy with his team’s display, but added that he, was pleased with the result.

Generally, it was a scrappy match, spoiled by a cold wind and a bumpy ground.

Over all, the Mount had too much skill and class for a Rangers side which was unable to take control in any facet of play. They allowed the Mount far too much room on the left flank, especially in the first half when Billy McClure had a free rein. Of the defence, the goal-keeper, Mike Fulham, had a good match, particularly in the second half, while the centre back, Alan South, kept a strong hold on Dave Taylor. No Rangers player did better than . Scott Dewar, who had a difficult assignment in the central midfield position. His goal was a just reward for his determined efforts. The Mount moved into its stride midway through the first half, but only rarely gave glimpses of the sort of soccer it is capable of producing. The Rangers defence held firm through some strong pressure and it was not until six minutes before the interval that the Mount took the lead. McClure’s shot rebounded

off the post for Brian Turner, ; following up quickly, to push past Fulham. Before then, Neil Francis had ballooned a shot high over the bar when sent clear after a Ron Armstrong error, and Dewar had forced the Mount’s goal-keeper, Sandy Davie, to tip the ball wide at full stretch.

Clive Campbell headed a McClure cross wide while Malcolm Parker had lobbed a difficult header over, the bar. Ten minutes after , halftime, the Mount scored the goal which should have settled, the match. A high cross by Ken Billot caused problems for the Rangers defence and the. .ball rolled clear for McClure to hit into the net from eight metres. Francis and Parker will not find many more testing assignments than they faced yesterday. On one occasion, Francis faced a wall of seven red shirts and had only Parker for support. Dewar’s goal, a fine, powerful header from a Francis corner 18 minutes from the end, signalled a Rangers revival. They showed more urgency- and purpose, but only twice had real scoring chances. Parker almost beat Davie to a finely-judged through ball by lan Cowan and Gordon Faichnie blasted a free-kick well wide from 20 metres.

Fulham kept . Rangers within . reach with athletic saves from a Turner header and a dipping Keith Nelson drive, but the day belonged to a Mount Wellington side which did just enough, and not much more, to win.

Two players, Cowan and Turner, were cautioned late in the match.