Sylvans 3, Rangers 1
SYLVANS boss Clive Bateman (pictured) pressed himself into action as his team upset the formbook on the opening day of the Division One season at St Peter’s.

The 34-year-old joined fellow veteran Lee Renouf, 34, in centre midfield on a day when his side were not fancied to take the points but produced a fine performance, blotted only by the late dismissals of Wayne Bishop and Greg Roland.

Bateman was very disappointed with the Roland departure, which came on the verge of him starting a long ban.

‘It was never a red card. I feel upset for him.’

The game was full of thrills and spills: two disputed penalties, a hat-trick, three sendings off and a game of two halves left Sylvans fans happy as their side came from behind to grab a 3-1 victory to put them at the top of the early Division One table.

But Rangers manager, Paul Ockleford will see this as a missed opportunity because Ross Allen’s virtuoso first half performance should have put the game beyond doubt.