A Rangers Reserves Tale!

In a bizarre twist, due to a computer glitch deep down in the dark regions of the FA headquarters, Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves were removed from the West Yorkshire Alliance League, uprooted from England, placed in Kirkcaldy in Scotland and got ready to battle in the Scottish Ladbrokes League Two!

Also, and completely coincidently, most of the players were able to make the 239-mile move (via the A1(M) and A1), which was jolly helpful for this story!

The first match saw John-Paul Lawrence-Campbell left very little time to prepare his team for the challenge that Arsenal U23's would undoubtedly pose.

Subs used: Johnson for Maxted, Trower for Straker, Barker for Hodson, Williams for Atkinson, Abbott for Turner, Murphy for Spencer.

"Well, that was a surprise!" said JPLC after the drubbing handed out by Rangers. "I'll certainly take it, however!"

The club's WhatsApp group exploded when the draw for the 1st Round of the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup saw the mighty KDR Reserves paired against the even mightier Rangers Reserves. A superb match against a quality opposition would round off the month.

The next friendly took place four days later with a trip to West Region Premiership side Clydebank.

Subs used: Arnett for Mallinson, Murphy for Spencer, Thelwell for Maxted, Williams for Atkinson, Plews for Abbott, Barker for Hodson, Dean for Turner.

"Another excellent result, and it was nice to see another three players get goals. Hopefully, this will stand us in good stead for the Bet Fred Cup match against Queen of the South."

Subs used: Trower for Turner, Barker for Hodson, Williams for Atkinson

"First competitive match and great first win! Some superb goals and overall, a real confidence boost." said JPLC to the waiting journalists.

The euphoria carried on to the next game four days later as Rangers travelled to play Premier League side, Livingston. Unsurprisingly, the press said that Deighton would be lucky to leave The Tony Macaroni Arena with any points.

Subs used: Trower for Spencer, Barker for Hodson

"Well they were right that we wouldn't get any points, but I think that the display we put in showed that we are not the pushovers some people may believe we are. I am disappointed by the number of bookings we received. Five is way too many, and I will be talking to the players about this."

Subs used: Trower for Flynn, Plews for Hodson

"Again, our ill-discipline has cost us, although I'm not convinced that the sending off was correct. Penalties are a cruel way to lose."

A respite from cup action saw Rangers welcome Northern Irish Danske Bank Premiership side Larne to Barr Field. The management had already decided ahead of this match to field a much-changed side from the ones that had represented the club in the cup matches.

Subs used: Hodson for Plews, Turner for Abbott, Spencer for Dean, Maxted for Thelwell, Murphy for Straker.

“I don’t know what, if anything, we gained from that match. It should have been a lot easier than it was.” Was JPLC post-match analysis.

Subs used: Mallinson for Arnett, Barker for Abbott, Murphy for Trower.

"I'm livid, and the players know it! Five bookings and two dismissals is not how we play football. Maxted being booked after 35 seconds must be a record!! We should have seen this game out at 3-2 and claimed the points, but we didn't, and the shoot out has done us again!" commented a furious JPLC after the game.

Monday morning delivered more bad news when it was revealed that Si Abbott had sustained a lower back stress fracture and would be out for a few months. It was agreed that the youngster would see a specialist to prevent this reoccurring. Will Hodson was also ruled out following a fall leading to a bruised thigh!t

The match against Scottish giants Rangers Reserves was next to be played, and tensions between the two increased when the 'Gers' manager commented that they were expecting an easy match against KDRAFC.

Subs used: Plews for Barker, Trower for Spencer.

"We controlled the game from the start and showed Rangers that they underestimated us. It was also nice to see five different scorers, and what a belter by Trower as well!" said JPLC to the room full of media post-match.

Summary:

"A mixed month for us. To go out of the Bet Fred Cup on penalties is very disappointing. I was hoping for a decent run in this competition, but it's not to be and I apologise for that.

However, after a superb win against Rangers Reserves in the wafer biscuit cup, I'm now looking forward to seeing who we draw in the next round.

We have the start of the league coming soon and I'm going to be bold and predict a good season for us. I'm confident that we can reproduce the form that saw us compete in the Alliance league and also win the Hulme Cup."

John-Paul Lawrence-Campbell - "The Loch Nessie" - Rangers Reserves Official Programme notes.

Next time - The league starts, and who will Rangers Res draw in the wafer Biscuit cup?