09.08// Scottish Fitba Weekend Round-up

Irony is a funny thing, sometimes. After all has been said and done about Rangers' dramatic exit from Europe in midweek, how ironic it is that it takes a former FBK Kaunas player to give Walter Smith and everyone at Rangers something to smile about. In the other games today, Aberdeen took on Inverness Caley, Hearts get their first league game under their new manager behind them and Mixu Paatelainen was hoping for something to go his way when he took his Hibs side down to Kilmarnock. With Celtic, St Mirren, Hamilton and Dundee United not in action until tomorrow and Monday, it was a relatively quiet SPL fixture card today.

Thankfully, there was plenty of action in the lower leagues to keep us entertained as the second week of competition got under way. In the Highlands, the first round of the North Region Challenge Cup got started as the teams there fight their way into the early rounds of the Scottish Cup. Inside Left favourite Fort William was playing too against a Shetland select side - surely an easy win for The Fort? Read on to find out how they got on. We start though with the early game of the day at Falkirk as Rangers try to salvage some pride and get their season off to a good start.

Falkirk 0-1 Rangers
In their opening game against Falkirk, a 64th minute goal from Andrius Velička put Rangers on the road to redemption, but the score line - much narrower than predicted - hides the fact that though Rangers got the points, it was Falkirk who come out with respect, having the better of the Ibrox side for most of the game. Indeed, it was Falkirk who nearly stole the three points when just after the restart Steven Whittaker tripped Kevin McBride, resulting in a booking - and a penalty. Thankfully for Walter Smith, no doubt anxious to not have his week get even worse, Alan McGregor saved Michael Higdon's spot kick. That save from the top-rated keeper, the target for several transfer rumours over the summer, spurred Rangers into action and after some intricate interplay between Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty which resulted in a low ball driven hard across the goal, Velička was on hand to put the ball past Olejnik in the net. Falkirk had chances afterwards to equalise through Arfield and Higdon but Rangers held on for their first three points of the season - and relief for Walter Smith (Andy Kennedy)

Aberdeen 0-2 Inverness Caley Thistle
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Disreali once said that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. Never was this more true than in this game. The facts, statistics if you will, has seen Aberdeen win every game between these two sides, so you could be forgiven for thinking that the final result would see another Aberdeen victory. Certainly Aberdeen have the makings of a good squad; Charlie Mulgrew at left back will certainly inspire more confidence than did Foster in the same position (Foster played right-back this afternoon), Gary McDonald, described as a 'box to box' midfielder will give the Dons options, as well as movement in midfield together with Mark Kerr. But with Diamond still not quite match fit and able to play a full 90 minutes, it was left to Severin (a midfielder really) and Considine (and his erratic form) to protect the re-instated No 1 keeper Jamie Langfield. And herein lies the problem for Aberdeen - Considine, though a good young player needs  an experienced solid defender next to him to help clear up the mess he sometimes gets himself into. Diamond managed that last season for the most part, but captain Severin, though a versatile player, is not a natural center-back. Jimmy Calderwood would do great business and please a lot of Aberdeen supporters if he could somehow bring the man Severin succeeded as captain, Russell Anderson, back from reserve-hell at Sunderland, if only while a suitable replacement is found. There is a fear though that with McDonald and Kerr settling in at midfield (where there are plenty of other options - Duff, Stewart,  Pawlett), Severin will become a regular at the back, something that with most Aberdeen fans probably doesn't sit too well.

And so to today's game. With summer signing Andrew Barrowman alone up front, chances for Caley where few and far between in the first opening exchanges. Aberdeen had three good chances in as many minutes following good link-up play between Kerr, Mulgrew, Miller and McQuire and the positive start sent a buzz around the stadium. But the growing confidence with which Aberdeen where playing was cut down in the 30th minute when, against the run of play, Andrew Barrowman found himself unmarked at the back post at the other end of a Tokely cross; the finish was a simple as you like for the former Ross County player. After the break Mackie fired wide from short range and a few corners where won for the Dons, but their efforts went unrewarded. Diamond made his season debut when he was brought on for Kerr, with Severin pushed into midfield as the Dons went for the equaliser. However, it would be Caley that had the last laugh - a 90th minute corner for Aberdeen was cleared smartly from defence allowing Imrie to find McBain who drilled home from 20 yards. The final whistle blew, as did the boos. A poor start then for Calderwood while Craig Brewster will be celebrating his teams first ever win over his former side. Aberdeen play Motherwell next while Caley take on Hamilton. (Andy Kennedy)

Hearts 3-2 Motherwell
A dream start for Csasba Lazlo's Hearts team as Saulius Mikoliunas fired in the wining goal just ten minutes from time. A cracking end-to-end game by all accounts that had Hearts in the lead on 24 minutes. Former Manchester United and Hibernian midfielder Michael Stewart drove through the Motherwell defence and fired home past Smith in the Motherwell goal. Motherwell equalised in the 33rd minute through David Clarkson, but the Steelmen did themselves no favours when Mark Reynolds' attempted header back to his keeper fell way short of it's intended target allowing Ksanavicius to race through and beat Graham Smith to the ball and scuff it into the net. Motherwell restored parity with ten minutes to go through when Clarkson got onto the end of a blunder by Makela to steer a low shot past Banks in the Hearts goal. With the game at 2-2, Motherwell probably settled for the draw, but it was not to be as Mikoliunas, brought on for Laryea Kingston, fired the ball home from distance past Smith to give Hearts their first points of the season.  Hearts next play Rangers in Glasgow while Motherwell welcome Aberdeen to Fir Park. (Doug Gillman)

Kilmarnock 1-0 Hibernian
A poor game at Rugby Park saw Kilmarnock emerge victorious but which saw Hibs end the game with 10 men. A clash of heads between David van Zanten and Simon Ford had both men leave the field of play, but while Ford was patched, van Zanten needed lengthier treatment. With all his subs used, Paatelainen had to push Ross Chisholm back into defence leaving a gap in midfield that was expertly exploited by David Fernandez and Jamie Hamill, the former picking out the latter who drove home from 20 yards. More problems for Mixu to deal with as life in charge over in Leith just doesn't get any easier. Hibs play Falkirk at Easter Road next; Kilmarnock are away to St. Mirren. (Doug Gillman)

Division One

The second week of games in Division One saw Airdrie United play Partick Thistle (0-1).  It took until the 70th minute for the breakthrough in this game. A Thistle break from a corner had Airdrie outnumbered as Paul Paton crossed for Damon Gray who took one touch to steady himself before firing low
and hard into the net. Dundee took advantage of St. Johnstone´s slip up against Morton as they beat Clyde (1-0) in a game that saw Clyde play the better football, and it was only down to veteran keeper Rab Douglas that Dundee remained in the game. It was new signing Mickael Antoine-Courie´s goal on half-time that got the points for Alex Rae´s team when he fired in a long range shot. The win leaves Dundee top of the table, but performances must improve.  Ross County are finding life in new division tough going. Having two players sent off (Higgins and Craig) and five players yellow-carded certainly wont help the cause as the Staggies went down (2-0) to Livingston. Goals from Griffiths and Talbot both sides of half time gave Livi the three points. Queen of the South´s last game before they start their European campaign ended in defeat away to Dunfermline (2-1). The Doonhamers took the lead when Stewart Kean pounced on an error by Scott Thomson. Andrew Kirk then equalised for Dunfermline in fifty minutes with an unstoppable shot, something he would repeat fifteen minutes later to earn the three points. Queen of the South had Andy Aitken sent off with 2 minutes to go with a scything tackle on Graham Bayne. Morton came back from behind twice as they held St. Johnstone to a deserved draw at Cappielow (2-2). Two early goals in the third (Milne) and fifth minute (McGuffie) had the scores level coming up to halftime, but  Gavin Swankie put St. Johnstone ahead again right before the whistle. The points looked to be heading towards Perth but with eight minutes to go, Erik Paartalu got a vital touch on Steven Masterton´s cross to put the ball into the net. (Inside Left)

Division 2

Brechin´s 2-1 win over Stranraer takes them above east-coast rivals Arbroath at the top of the Second Division. Goals from Iain Diack and Craig Frizzell had the teams in level at half-time. Diack then sealed the win when he lobbed the ball over Scott Black. Arbroath could only manage a draw with Peterhead (1-1) whose defence certainly doesn't seem as secure as it did in the pre-season.  A drab second half burst into life when Masson put Arbroath ahead on the 60th minute with a well placed 20-yard strike. Stuart McKay equalised for Peterhead with 2 minutes to go.  Raith Rovers beat Queens Park (2-0) but both teams finished the game with 10 men as Cairney was sent off for Queens Park after just 20 minutes. Andy Cook was sent for an early shower when the Raith player picked up his second booking. The goals came from Kevin Smith and Allan Walker. Alloa and Ayr played an entertaining game which had Ayr collect the three points thanks to goals from Alex Williams in the fourth minute and former Celtic player Bryan Prunty (0-2). The final game of the day had Stirling Albion and East Fife play out a draw (1-1), the goals coming after the break from Albion´s Andy Lawrie and East Fife´s Dougie Cameron. (Inside Left)

Division 3

Annan Athletic are still atop the Third Division as they drew with Stenhousemuir (1-1) in their first senior league game. Both goals where scored in the opening six minutes - Stenhousemuir struck first through Andy Brand. No sooner had the game settled down again when Annan equalised through Mick Jack. Elgin City where fifteen minutes away from their first win of the season against Dumbarton until Raymond Logan levelled the scores. Paul Kaczan had scored earlier for the City (1-1). An Eddie Forrest debut goal on the half hour for East Stirling against Albion Rovers won his team the points (1-0) and keeps Albion firmly at the bottom of the table, while Cowdenbeath finally got a win under their belt when Mark Ramsay scored for the Blue Brazil in their game away against Forfar Athletic (0-1). Berwick Rangers came from behind to share the points with Montrose, who had taken an early lead through Chris McLeod. Andy Howat ensured the Berwick fans in the 344 crowd had something to cheer about (1-1). (Inside Left)

SFA North Region Challenge Cup

Fort William hit another new low when they where defeated - no, crushed - by a Shetland FA select (5-0). Despite having four players back from holiday, the Fort lost heavily again to a side making its debut in the competition, as well as a very long journey. Supporters of the Fort must be praying for the American revolution to come soon, because on this kind of performance you have to wonder just how long the interest in the team will last before this truly becomes a Mission Impossible. Shetland are rewarded for this easy victory with an away game at Highland League Champions Cove Rangers, who edged out Nairn County (2-3). Elsewhere results went pretty much as expected, apart from Clachnacuddin losing to Golspie Sutherland. Wick Academy´s long journey south ended in defeat - and acrimony - at Fraserburgh (2-1).  Both sides where reduced to 10 men before the end of the game. A stramash eight minutes from time following Fraserburgh's Michael Stephen's heavy challenge led an infuriated Don McMillan charging across the pitch to make his feelings known to players and referee alike - a red card was the outcome for McMillan who had to be told to leave the field several times before he finally did so, allowing the game to end. Interestingly enough, the two sides meet again in the league next Saturday.

Buckie Thistle     3 v 0 Rothes    
Forres Mechanics   1 v 3 Deveronvale    
Fort William       0 v 5 Shetland FA XI
Fraserburgh        2 v 1 Wick Academy    
Huntly             1 v 4 Inverurie Loco Works    
Lossiemouth        0 v 4 Keith    
Nairn County       2 v 3 Cove Rangers    
Golspie Sutherland 2 v 0 Clachnacuddin    

The second round of the SFA North Region Challenge Cup looks like this, with the ties to be played on the 23rd August.

Cove Rangers         v Shetland FA XI
Deveronvale          v Buckie Thistle
Inverurie Loco Works v Golspie Sutherland
Keith                v Fraserburgh

(Elaine Garrow)