Rangers lose battle to stay up

Grange Rangers’ battle to retain their Amateur League Division 2B status ended at Portavogie when the County Down side proved too strong and condemned Stephen King’s lads to relegation with an emphatic 4-1 win.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Apr 2015, 09:00 BST

Rangers started positively with Matty King and Phil Gregg testing the keeper in the first minute, but in their first meaningful attack in the 19th minute the hosts forged ahead from the penalty spot.

Ally Bell and Davy Thompson had chances before King equalised with a screamer in to the top corner from the edge of the box, so the teams turned round all square.

Early in the second session Chris Bell was again denied by the keeper, but after Portavogie regained the lead on the hour, there was no way back, and they added two more in a strong finish.

“I can’t criticise the players for lack of effort, but once again our lack of quality in the final third has cost us our place in Division 2B,” said Stephen King.

Rangers complete their programme on Saturday in Drumbo.

Elsewhere, second-bottom Whitehead Eagles lost 6-2 to Ardoyne Working Men’s Club.

Rangers