The Rangers players, management, and large support, must have been left wondering at the end of this game how it could be that they would have to do it all again one week hence such was the superiority of Kilsyth over the ninety minutes, yet they could only come away with a draw. Surely they will make certain at a much earlier stage in the replay if things go similarly next Saturday. Again a couple of defensive lapses late in the game cost them dear and they have to learn to kill off lesser teams much earlier in the game when they have the chances.
Rangers started well and enjoyed almost unbroken dominance of the game for the first half an hour, they forced at least six corners, gained several freekicks in good positions yet Ferrie, in the North End goal had barely a save worthy of the name in that time. Shots were plentiful, but mostly off target, or rather weak. On the half hour mark though, the home side woke up, went upfield and gained their first corner, a freekick on the edge of the box, and a penalty award, all within two minutes. Henry made a very poor attempt with the spotkick, sending it wide of target. This flurry of activity gaslvanised Kilsyth and in the very next attack ZOK first had a shot blocked by the keeper, then seconds later he finally was successful with another low shot which the keeper could only half stop on its way to the net. In the run up to halftime Rangers had several more near things including a Darren Dalrymple header which went in, but an infringement had been spotted.
The second half was less than a minute old when David WATERS scored following another great run and cross by Dalrymple. It looked easy for Rangers now but eight minutes in and FERRIE surprised everyone with a well placed effort to pull North End back into the match. The home side had made a couple of changes at the interval, bringing on Kelly and Bissett, and it had added an extra dimension to their play, they were fighting back and their count of yellow cards was also rapidly mounting. However Rangers again emphasised their overall superiority in footballing terms when Stephen McPEAKE added a third midway through the half. It looked as if the game was dead and Rangers continued to dominate without threatening to add to their score and late on they made a couple of changes, replacing Dalrymple and Kelly with Jarvis and Williamson. Then with just eight minutes left BISSETT ran in a pulled another one back for North End. Two minutes later and he scored another, almost identical goal with the Rangers defence nowhere to be seen and set up an exciting climax to the game. That was it though, both sides had shot their bolt, no more goals, but Rangers might yet live to regret a missed opportunity here.
The replay will take place at Duncansfield this Saturday, 7th November at 1-30pm.
A substantial travelling support accompanied Rangers to Dundee and enjoyed an exciting game in perfect weather at the impressive facility of North End park.. Rangers wish to thank the the North End committee for the hospitality received in the Social club which forms part of the complex and hope to return the compliment this Saturday.
Kilsyth Rangers v Dundee North End (Replay)
Kilsyth Rangers v Dundee North End
Scottish Cup Replay Saturday 7th November
The visitors kicked off today’s game and looked up for it right form the off, obviously buoyed by there late comeback in the first game they had some good early possession but never threatened the goal of Michael Duke. In the 12thminute Kilsyth had earned a corner which was swung over to the back post where Tough headed back across goal, Waters met the ball and headed it home. Before he could celebrate his goal the referee had disallowed it for a push. It seemed to be a very harsh decision but the goal didn’t stand. Kilsyth were starting to turn the screw and had good chances through firstly Dalrymple and then from Zok who forced a good save from Dundee keeper Ferrie. Dundee seemed content to play the long ball game but Tough, Murray and Doyle in the Kilsyth defence were winning almost everything in the air. Kilsyth keeper Duke still hadn’t had a save to make or anything else of note to deal with. Kilsyth took the lead on 29 minutes when a great long, diagonal cross to the back post from Dalrymple was met by a spectacular Calum Scott diving header. This was no more than Kilsyth deserved as the visitors were not threatening their goal. The home side were then reduced to 10 men on 38 minutes when Stephen McPeake was sent off for a last man challenge on the edge of the box. Could Kilsyth hold onto their lead until half time and then regroup? They could although Dundee’s Kiddie struck the post with the resulting free kick with Duke rooted to the spot.
Would the second half be a backs to the wall affair for Kilsyth? Neither team really looked like scoring in the early stages with Dundee trying to utilise theirnumerical advantage but again Duke in the Kilsyth goal was a mere spectator. Both sides made changes with Dundee bringing on Moravcik, Kelly and Williamson to try and unlock the stubborn Kilsyth defence. The home side also brought on Kelly and Sichi late on. Kilsyth were starting to look a little tired but Dundee’s long ball game never caused any problems to the home defence.
The second half was a bit scrappy at times and neither team played much passing football but 10 man Kilsyth had done enough to win the game and gain entry into Tuesday’s draw for the next round.
