SOUTERS GIVE IBROX STARLETS TOUGH TIME
A YOUTHFUL Rangers team were made to fight hard for a 2-0 friendly victory over Selkirk at Yarrow Park on Wednesday night.
Around 350 fans witnessed goals from Anthony Merengui and Kyle McAusland either side of half-time give the Ibrox side a comfortable win.
But Selkirk boss Paul Brownlee was pleased with the effort of his side, who had standout performances from goalkeeper John Dodds and centre back Euan Pritchard in particular.
Brownlee said: "They were a well-drilled and organised team, but I thought we created a lot of chances in the first half.
"The legs tired in the second half, but I could not fault the guys' efforts.
"We have the best squad I have had yet at Selkirk. We have put together a squad of players from Hawick, Gala and Selkirk – we asked them along and they seem to have realised we can offer them Premier League football."
Rangers were missing a number of first team squad players who had played at Elgin City the previous night, meaning coaches Billy Kirkwood and Jimmy Sinclair brought down a side which did not look old enough to buy the alcoholic beverage printed on the front of their shirts.
However, that does not mean the squad was lacking in talent, particularly up front through Merengui and winger Christian Kisuka.
Indeed, Kisuka threatened first for the visitors on 12 minutes when his weaving run and 20 -yard shot flew just past Dodds' right-hand post.
Jason Cockburn played up front for the Souters and along with Des Sutherland worked Rangers' backline, firing a shot from 20 yards straight at visiting goalie Scott Gallacher.
Sam McMahon was then unlucky to see his close-range shot brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Dodds.
However, the former Ayr United stopper was helpless when Merengui's 30-yard wonder strike found the net via the underside of the crossbar two minutes before the break.
A minute after the interval McAusland made it two when his powerful header beat Dodds from Crawford's cross.
And the rest of the second period was a bit of a drab affair, as both outfits made a series of substitutions.
Dodds was again called into action with a great one-on-one stop to deny Crawford on 74 minutes. And two minutes later Selkirk sub Darren Munro had his chance for glory, but failed to connect with Jay Wilson's corner from just six yards out.
The Souters face Hawick Waverley in the Billy Pringle Memorial Cup at Yarrow Park tomorrow (2pm kick-off).
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Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
