Rangers surpass Gallienne's targets

RANGERS have clinched third place in the Priaulx League and the reward of a Wheway Cup spot next season. Mac Gallienne could not wipe the smile from his face after his side defeated Vale Rec 1-0 yesterday afternoon at St Andrew's and ensured that they finished five points ahead of Chris Hamon's side.

'It is a cracking way to finish our league season,' said Gallienne, who side still have the Rawlinson Cup to play for.

'We wanted to prove a point throughout the season really and with a good deal of effort, we have done that.

'I told the lads before the season that 35 points would be a good target and we have finished with 38, two points behind North. That is good going - not bad for Rangers, is it?'

They began the weekend by defeating North 4-1 on Friday evening. That scoreline stood, although once referee Geoff Ogier had blown his whistle to start the game the points were always Rangers' because North played Jamie Dodd who was ineligible as he was serving a suspension.

North's director of football Alan Le Prevost called it an 'embarrassing' but 'genuine' mistake.

As it was, the match was played and North took the lead through a Phil Sarl own goal as he was pressurised by Jon Veron.

After the break, two goals in quick succession from Ryan Gontier and Shane Billien gave Rangers the lead before Dave Parrott hit a 30-yard screamer. Billien completed the scoring late on.

At St Peter's on Saturday, Vale Rec closed the gap between themselves and Rangers to two points once again with a 2-1 win over Sylvans.

Gareth Holden and Lee Ogier scored for the green-and-yellows, with the hosts' consolation coming from Shaun Staples.

But Rec's hopes of clinching the remaining Wheway berth ended in a hard-fought contest at St Andrew's, with Parrott's penalty midway through the second period settling the match.

Jon Baudains was sent off late on for two cautions in a game with a lot of needle.

In the other Priaulx game of the weekend, Rovers held Bels to a 1-1 draw at Port Soif on Friday.

Simon Tostevin grabbed his 25th goal of the season with five minutes remaining to cancel out Billy Page's opener.