Stranraer 4-2 Berwick Rangers
Tuesday 28th July 2009
Rangers disappointed pre-match expectations of a rare first round win by crashing out of the Alba Challenge Cup at the first time of asking against a robust Stranraer side at Stair Park on Saturday. It would be fair to say that the fates conspired against them - Rangers' team bus was involved in a serious accident en route to the match, but they also
had themselves to blame, red cards for Notman and Ewart leaving their team seriously depleted for the entire second half.
A lack of familiarity between new teammates lead to the opener, indecision between keeper Mark Peat and Andrew McLean allowing Martin
Jack to take advantage and score an 11th minute opener. The situation got a whole lot worse in the 18th minute, when Steven Notman was adjudged to have fouled Jack and Danny Mitchell scored from the spot.
Notman received a straight red for his trouble. Jamie Ewart pulled a goal back with a 33rd minute header and numbers were levelled up on the stroke of half-time when the homesters' Steven Noble was sent off.
Parity of numbers was unfortunately short lived - 60 seconds to be precise, Ewart being shown a red card for an unspecified incident in the tunnel as the teams headed towards the changing rooms.
Danny Mitchell gave Stranraer a two goal lead with his second in the 59th minute before sub Ian Little inspired Rangers hopes of alvaging
the match with a goal on the 86 minute. With Rangers committed to pushing for an equaliser, Montgomerie secured the win for the home side with the killer goal in the 87th minute. Rangers will need to control
their discipline a lot better if they are to make an impact in the league this season.
Team: Peat, Smith, Callaghan, Ewart, McLean, McMenamin, Russell, Currie,
Notman, Brazil, Radzynski.
Saturday 25th July 2009:
Alba Challenge Cup Round 1
Crowd - 245*
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