'Well Lose to a Penalty

The team which took a point from Celtic in the last game of 2006 was entrusted with the job of taking something from Rangers in the first game of 2007. The visitors made some well publicised changes and Malpas introduced the three January signings to the bench.

First half defending

The first half was an even affair though the visitors had the best of the early and late chances. Prso had their best effort, a header which had Smith beaten and had the Rangers fans in the Cooper Stand in their feet.

Our football was hampered somewhat by the heavy underfoot conditions. We passed the ball where possible and rarely resorted to the long punt. We might be in danger of being known as a team which gets the ball on the ground and passes!

A Rammy!

Clarkson had our best attempt when excellent work from Foran provided him with a header which should have found the target.

McGarry seemed to be everywhere and his attitude was taken up be the rest. Reynolds found Prso and Boyd to be a handful but we reached the break without loss.

Murphy made his first appearance at the restart, replacing Paterson. And as the game moved on the Malloy and Keegan were also given a run.

Prso forced a good save from Smith in fifty minutes before McDonald brought out the best in McGregor with a series of attempts both from close in and from twenty yards. The play raged from end to end and it seemed that the first goal would be the winner.

It came in sixty nine minutes when referee McCurry took the view that Smith had impeded Prso as the big striker ran towards the bye line. Our protests were waved away and Boyd made no mistake from the spot.

We reacted well and charged up the park looking for the equaliser. We had an old fashioned ‘stramash' with twenty one players involved when we tried to get a final touch at the post. The ball was loose as the boots started to fly. When the dust cleared Fitzpatrick and Prso were on their way for early baths.