RANGERS B got to winning ways with a convincing 4-1 victory over Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Lowland League at Dumbarton Stadium this afternoon.
Zak Lovelace got the home side off to the perfect start with a well taken volley before a Bailey Rice penalty and Robbie Ure finish put the hosts in control just 20 minutes in. Charlie Lindsay added a fourth in the second half rounding off a well worked team move, with Danny Galbraith pulling one back for the visitors in what was a commanding afternoon’s outing for the Light Blues.
David McCallum named two changes to his side that drew 2-2 with Open Goal Broomhill in midweek. Jacob Pazikas replaced Lewis Budinauckas in goal, and Ross McCausland was brought back into the starting 11 as he replaced Lewis MacKinnon with the Gers shuffling their side around.
Rangers started on the front foot, as they looked for an early opener in Dumbarton. Ross McCausland and Arron Lyall were linking up well in the early stages down the right side as they looked to cut the visitors open.
The Gers went close to going in front with just four minutes on the clock, Robbie Ure saw his shot from inside the area break for fellow forward Zak Lovelace but he fired his shot just wide of the far post.
Johnly Yfeko did brilliantly to make a challenge and stop the away side going in front, a corner broke to Ciaran Chalmers inside the area but the defender made a vital block before Gareth Rodger fired over from close range on the stretch.
Rangers went ahead with just over 10 minutes gone. A corner kick delivery found the edge of the penalty area, with the initial shot blocked, the rebound fell to Lovelace who was on hand to fire home his side goal in four days to put the Light Blues in front with a well taken half volleyed finish.
The Gers had a great opportunity to double their lead after some great work down the left side by Lovelace. Beating Calum Hall initially he cut inside and took his touch around Rodger who fouled the forward and left the referee no option but to point to the penalty spot.
Bailey Rice stepped up left footed and dispatched the spot kick expertly into the top left corner to double the Gers advantage in what had been an impressive opening period of the game for the hosts.
Two quickly became three through Robbie Ure, McCausland slipped through the striker with a well weighted through ball, the frontman rounding Ruairidh Adams in the Rovers goal and tapping into the empty net with the outside of his right foot. The Gers taking complete of the contest with under 20 minutes gone.
Rangers were probing for more goals after an impressive opening half hour in Dumbarton. McCausland played through Lyall down the right side, switching the play over to Ure who saw his left footed shot well held by the Gala Fairydean keeper. The Light Blues threatened to add a fourth and put the match completely out of sight.
Another great opening was created by the home side as Harkness was again released down the right side, using the space to his advantage he picked out the arriving McCausland at the near post, but he turned his effort as they Light Blues went at the break three goals to the good.
Quinn Mitchell fired a shot from around 25 yards from goal which was well tipped over by Jacob Pazikas who had a quiet afternoon up to that stage. The long-range strike being the first of the action after the restart as the away side looked for a way into the match.
The Gers had their first opening since the game got back underway as it fell to Lyall, some good attacking work down the left by Lovelace who laid the ball across to the midfielder, but he fired his shot wide of the right-hand post.
Zak Lovelace was shown a second yellow card after receiving a booking for a first half tackle, skipping past the defender on the edge of the area the referee believed the contact was minimal and dismissed the striker for simulation as the hosts were reduced to 10 men just short of the hour mark.
Rangers added a fourth and put the match beyond any doubt, some clever link up play through the middle saw Harkness in behind the back line. Not for the first time on the day the right back got his head up and picked out a teammate in a better position, as Charlie Lindsay was on hand to side foot the ball home and add a fourth for the Gers.
Gala Fairydean got themselves on the score sheet in the match through Danny Galbraith, a in swinging corner kick delivery was evaded by everyone inside and found the inside of the far post.
The home side still looked the more likely despite the man disadvantage. Robbie Fraser did well on several occasions to carry the ball down the left side and create openings with his crosses as they game entered the final ten minutes of original time.
The game went on to reach its conclusion as the hosts got back to winning ways after their midweek draw with a comfortable afternoon’s work in Dumbarton.
RANGERS: Pazikas, Harkness, Fraser, Allan, Yfeko (MacKinnon 45), Rice, Lovelace, Lindsay (Strachan 75), Ure (Pasnik 90+1), Lyall (Webster 90+1), McCausland (Graham 81).
Subs not used: Munn.
GALA FAIRYDEAN ROVERS: Adams, Hall, Mitchell, Rodger, Ocholi (Nicolson 61), Dougal, Galbraith (Watt 75), Wilkie, Hall, Jordan (Greene 75), Chalmers (Smith 61).
Subs not used: Trialist, Cassidy.