RANGERS B made it three wins a row as they ran out 2-1 winners over Cowdenbeath in the Lowland League at Central Park this afternoon.
Falling behind to an early Michael Cunningham strike the Light Blues responded impressively with two first half goals courtesy of Charlie Lindsay and Connor Allan. Both sides were reduced to ten men after an altercation between Johnly Yfeko and Iain Davidson as the teams played the second half with a man less with the Gers holding on for another three points.
David McCallum made three changes to his side after their last-gasp 2-1 victory over Gretna 2008. The returning Zak Lovelace came back into the frontline after missing the midweek fixture through suspension, with Johnly Yfeko and Mackenzie Strachan also coming into the team.
Rangers kept early possession without creating anything clear cut in the opening stages. Lovelace was lively down the left flank as he made his return to the side. Using his pace to his advantage he worked the first opportunity for the visitors as it fell to Charlie Lindsay but the chance went a-begging as the hosts cleared.
The Blue Brazil had an opportunity to go in front but for some great defensive work from Gers full back Jack Harkness. Scott Sinclair found himself in space inside the area, but the defender made a great covering challenge to deny the forward and clear.
The hosts took the lead just after the 10-minute mark, Sinclair was slipped through clear on the left flank, his cross looked for Daniel Watt in the centre, rolling under him it found Michael Cunningham at the back post as he slid the ball past Pazikas as the home side went ahead.
Cunningham went close to doubling his and the hosts’ tally on the day. Cutting in from the left flank, he fired a shot which was heading to sneak in at the near post but Jacob Pazikas did well to tip it over the crossbar to safety.
In the next phase of play the Gers got themselves back on level terms. Lovelace picked up on the loose ball in the final third with space in front of him, firing a powerful shot at goal, Daniel Farrell did well to keep out the initial effort before Charlie Lindsay was on hand to tap in the rebound to level up the contest.
The away side were forced into a first half substitution as the injured Harkness was replaced by Lewis MacKinnon, and they were looking to put a stamp on proceedings and go ahead on the contest as the game approached the half time interval.
Both sides were reduced to 10 men right at the end of the half. Lovelace was fouled in the final third from a dangerous tackle from defender Iain Davidson. In the aftermath an altercation involving the centre back and Johnly Yfeko saw the referee dismiss both players for their actions.
The Gers responded in the best way possible and went in front in the last action of the half. Lindsay’s corner kick delivery was met by Connor Allan who managed to squeeze his near post header in past Farrell and give the away side the lead as they turned the contest round.
The contest settled down after the restart with both sides restricted to maintaining possession without creating any clear-cut openings. Lovelace was dropping deeper and centrally as he looked the most likely to provide Rangers with the attacking spark they needed to go further ahead on the day.
Lindsay produced a save from a 25-yard free kick down to Farrell’s left hand side in what the first effort on target after the restart as the game approached the hour mark.
The theme continued with 25 minutes of the contest left, the hosts were looking for a way back into the game however the Light Blues remained comfortable as they kept control through midfield and worked the ball patiently waiting for openings.
The Gers went close to adding a third in the first real chance of the second period. Robbie Fraser picked out an inch perfect cross to the back post as striker Robbie Ure met it but his downwards header was kept out well by Farrell with his leg.
The hosts had an opportunity to level up the match, substitute David Struthers found himself in behind the Rangers backline after a long ball over the top. Taking it in his path his near post shot was well struck but was kept out well by Pazikas to keep the Gers ahead.
Ure again went close after some initial work from Lovelace on the touchline. Cutting the ball back he found the striker well placed but the covering Mackenzie Lemon did well to make the block and clear the danger.
The Gers went on to see out the match as David McCallum’s side made it three wins in a row.
COWDENBEATH: Farrell, Walker (Thomson 40), Armstrong (Lemon 54), Davidson, Robinson, Berry (Slaven 73), Cunningham (Struthers 45), Love, Watt, Sinclair (Garrad 73), Newman.
Subs not used: Ruddy.
RANGERS B: Pazikas, Harkness (MacKinnon 33), Fraser, Allan, Yfeko, Strachan (Ewen 45), Lovelace (Young 87), Lindsay, Ure (Graham 77), Lyall, McCausland.
Subs not used: Webster, Curtis, Munn.
REFEREE: Iain Snedden