Kane Is Able

[ian1964 10,409]

From Amir Rashid at Kilwinning Sports Club

 

RANGERS kept the pressure on league leaders Hibs after a hard fought 1-0 win away to Kilmarnock when Kane Hemmings grabbed the only goal of the game.

 

With Hibs beating Inverness Caley Thistle 4-1 on Friday, it was imperative Rangers went away with all three points - Billy Kirkwood will no doubt be pleased his side were able to do just that.

 

In what was a fairly balanced first half, the young Swede Isa Bagci could have opened the scoring for Rangers after just seven minutes when his shot just outside the box went wide past the right of the Kilmarnock goal.

 

Stephen StirlingOn the 25 minute mark Kilmarnock created an opening when a flowing passing move led to a shot from Scott Walker on the left who failed to test Arturs Vaiculis - his shot going harmlessly past the Latvian stoppers' post.

 

Five minutes later Rangers were denied a penalty when Kyle Hutton's shot appeared to the hit the hand of the on-rushing Kilmarnock defender from close range.

 

Bagci tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck, when on 32 minutes he collected the ball wide on the right before cutting in on his left before releasing a shot just outside the box that sailed over the bar.

 

Stephen Stirling then attempted to get Rangers moving on 35 minutes but his shot from distance - low to the keeper's right - was easy enough to deal with for the diving Kilmarnock goalkeeper.

 

Following Kirkwood's inspiring half-time team talk Rangers came out all guns blazing in an effort to take the lead.

 

After just a minute into the second half a well flighted corner from Gregg Wylde found the head of Ross Perry in the 6 yard box who saw his header cleared of the line by the Kilmarnock defence.

 

Rangers came out the hungrier of the two sides and a Jamie Ness cross from the left found Bagci who was unable to turn the ball home with his head from inside the box, after only three minutes of the second half.

 

But it was the returning John Fleck who proved the inspiration for the Light Blues on 53 minutes, his clever assist on the halfway line found Hemmings 40 yards out from goal. The powerful striker picked it up and ran at the Kilmarnock defence, who were unable to stop him, as he unleashed a beautiful curling shot low into the left of the Kilmarnock goal from the edge of box.

 

Rangers were keen to ensure there were no slip ups and chased the second goal. Minutes later it was Bagci again who tested Kilmarnock when his rifled shot from an acute angle in the box was parried out for a corner by the goalkeeper.John Fleck, Rangers

 

Rangers' dominance was showing in the second period and Kilmarnock created very little. An ambitious effort from 45 yards by Daniel McKay on 57 minutes caused little trouble to Vaiculis who ignored any attempt to embarrass him by plucking the ball out from the air as it arrived at his goal.

 

McKay came back at Rangers 10 minutes later when his run past the idle Rangers defence culminated in a shot from 30 yards that went over the bar.

 

Hemmings and Bagci linked up well with 20 minutes left as Rangers searched for the goal that would guarantee all three points. Hemmings' header found Bagci in the box who skipped past the Kilmarnock defence, doing the hard work before squandering a goal scoring chance as his close range shot went wide.

 

On the 80th minute Kilmarnock were reduced to 10 men. Mick Doyle saw red following a slip that was quickly seized upon by Hemmings who outpaced the last man Doyle before having his shirt pulled by the young Kilmarnock defender.

 

From the resulting freekick, 25 yards out from goal, Stephen Stirling saw his excellent effort brilliantly saved, one handed to his top left hand corner by the diving Kilmarnock goalkeeper.

 

Rangers continued to create chances up until the final whistle but they will no doubt be pleased that they managed to secure a win away against a battling Kilmarnock side.

[pete 2,494]

Good to see wee Fleck back playing and that Rangers won of course.

Also good to hear we have a striker who can outpace a defence and stay cool enough to curl the ball into the net.

[Gribz 743]

Surely Fleck has to get some first time action soon!!!

[Frankie 8,145]

Elfideldo's report:

 

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