Youths Hit Six

Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 6

Rangers under 19’s put their disappointing start to the season behind them with a high scoring win over Kilmarnock at Kilwinning Sports Club this morning. Archie Campbell was back from suspension to replace the injured Max Wright in attack, Dylan McGeough returned from injury and joined Steven Forbes in the starting line up, with Under 17 players Kyle McAusland and Adam Hunter dropping to the bench.

It was Kilmarnock who struck first taking the lead in the fourth minute, Ross Davidson broke down the left and he passed inside to Gavin Brown who in turn played it to Danny McKay, his shot from the angle of the box found the net via the underside of the bar. Five minutes later a great Rangers passing move saw Archie Campbell play the ball  through to Kane Hemmings and keeper Russell Cadwell saved at the striker’s feet at the expense of a corner.

Rangers equalised on 16 minutes via the penalty spot when a Killie defender handled inside the box, Archie Campbell stepped up to beat the keeper from the spot. It was only eight minutes later when Rangers grabbed the lead, a long throw from the left  by Rhys McCabe was met by the head of Kamil Wiktorski and his header looped over keeper Cadwell.

A minute later it looked like Rangers had extended their lead, Dylan McGeough played the ball through to Kane Hemmings and his shot across goal was knocked in at the far post by Archie Campbell but he was flagged offside. A few minutes later and a long range effort from Kyle Hutton was just wide. Ten minutes before half time a Rhys McCabe cross was met by the head of Archie Campbell but keeper Cadwell save easily.

Half Time:- Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 2

Rangers came close in the opening minute of the second half when a long diagonal ball from Kyle Hutton was controlled by Campbell and his shot brought out a fine save from Cadwell. Just before the hour mark a Darren Cole free kick was headed across goal by Hutton, as Wiktorski looked certain to score but he had an eye on the Kilmarnock defender’s boot and his header was weak and Cadwell saved.

On 65 minutes a corner on the left from Davidson gave Rangers a scare when Michael Doyle got his head to it but Grant Adam saved. A minute later a Gordon Dick corner looked netbound but Cadwell made an excellent recovery to make a great save. The move of the match came on 72 minutes when Dylan McGeough picked the ball up inside his own half and his run saw him go past three Kilmarnock defenders, his perfectly weighted pass gave Hemmings a great chance but he shot just wide.

With a quarter of an hour remaining Rangers finally got the two goal cushion they were seeking. Great play on the right by Hemmings gave the space to cross and Gordon Dick was on hand to head past Cadwell. A minute later Rangers scored again, an Adam clearance was controlled by Kane Hemmings, he then turned past the defender and sent an unstoppable shot past Cadwell from just inside the box.

Rangers added two further goals in the dying minutes. With three minutes remaining a great first time pass by Hemmings sent Campbell clear, his ball across goal was met by Kyle McAusland who’s effort was blocked, keeper Cadwell then denied Hemmings from point blank range, but was helpless when Gordon Dick netted the rebound. In the final minute a Michael Noble free kick had Cadwell struggling, he managed to get a touch to divert the ball onto the bar which gave Chris Scott a simple task to nod home the rebound.

Full Time:- Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 6

Kilmarnock:- Russell Cadwell, Stuart Currie, Callum McLuskey, Michael Doyle, Alan Cairns ( David McAuliffe 46 mins); Rory McKenzie (Joe Slattery 83mins), Craig Fisher, Gavin Brown, Ross Davidson (Jamie Lindsay 66mins); Reid Brown, Danny McKay.

Not Used :- Dylan Caddis, Aaron Wylie

Rangers:- Grant Adam; Darren Cole, Chris Scott, Scott Durie, Steven Forbes (Michael Noble 87 mins); Kyle Hutton, Kamil Wiktorski (Kyle McAusland 79mins), Dylan McGeough, Rhys McCabe (Gordon Dick 58mins); Archie Campbell, Kane Hemmings.

Not Used:- Mark Weir, Christiano Kisuka, Adam Hunter, Ewan McNeil

 

Development Teams Round Up

Rangers 4 Queens Park 1

On Tuesday night Rangers under 15’s took on their counterparts from Queens Park in a friendly at Murray Park. The game was marred by a horrific accidental clash of heads involving two Queens Park players. Both players looked pretty bad, one being carried from the field unconscious and I believe he had to be taken to hospital. I am sure we all hope both players are okay and are back playing soon.

Rangers took the lead halfway through the first of three periods. Ciaran Summers played the ball forward and a good turn at the edge of the box by Calum McConnell sent him clear. The Queen’s Park keeper parried his cut back, but only into the path of Blair Munn who scored from close range.

Rangers increased their lead at the start of the second period. Again Ciaran Summer’s forward pass started the move sending Darren McGill clear down the left,  his ball across the six yard box was netted by Blair Munn at the back post for his second of the game. Towards the end of the second period Queens Park got back into the game when they broke down the left and keeper Sam George was given no chance with a perfectly executed lob. Indeed at this stage only two excellent saves by Sam George kept Rangers in front.

Five minutes into the final period Rangers grabbed a third. The Queens Park defence failed to clear a corner from the right and Andy Murdoch scored from just outside the six yard box. The final goal of the match came after good work by Darren Ramsey setup substitute Jake McMahon who finished with a curling shot from the angle of the penalty area.

Rangers Squad:- Sam George, Dylan Dykes, Ciaran Summers, Kieran McKenna, Jordan Wilson, Darren Ramsay, Blair Munn, Andy Murdoch, Calum McConnell, Danny Hutchinson, Darren McGill, Gordon Young, Jake McMahon, Yusef ???.

Rangers 1 Alloa Athletic 0

On Thursday night it was the turn of the under 14’s, supplemented by Gordon Young and Jake McMahon from the older team they took on Alloa Athletic’s under 15’s. The win was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests with keeper Liam Kelly a virtual spectator.

The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot in the final period. Danny Stoney chased a through ball and as he knocked it past the keeper he was sent tumbling inside the box. Danny stepped up to beat the keeper from the spot via his right hand post.

Rangers Squad:- Liam Kelly, Gordon Young, Liam Smith, Greg Pescezio, Ross ???, Jake McMahon, Scott Roberts, Tom Walsh, Mark Filshie, Lewis Morgan, Gloady Ntumba, Lewis Martin, Jack Baird, Lewis Spence, Kjeld McIntyre, Jamie Mills, Danny Stoney.

Youths Lose To Motherwell

Motherwell 4 Rangers 1

The youths disappointing start to the season continued at Creamery Park, Bathgate this afternoon. Going down to a high scoring Motherwell side. With Archie Campbell suspended, Gregg Wylde presumably on first team duty, Kal Naismith injured and Gordon Dick only fit enough to make the subs bench there were a few changes from last week’s side. Kane Hemmings was back from injury and new signing Kamil Wiktorski were joined by under 17’s, Kyle McAusland and Adam Hunter.

Motherwell were first to threaten and after a scramble in the Rangers six yard box Grant Adam eventually smothered the ball. Rangers first real attack came on 14 minutes, an Adam kick out was gathered by Max Wright who played it back to Kane Hemmings and he shot was just wide of the post.

On 20 minutes Jordan Halsman and Ryan Martin worked their way down the left, with Martin cutting along the byline Adam blocked his shot at the near post with his legs. A couple of minutes later only a great save from Ross Hyslop prevented Rangers from taking the lead. A Hemmings long throw was headed on by Kyle McAusland and then Kyle Hutton, and volleyed goalwards by Rhys McCabe and the keeper made a great save low to his left.

Rangers were then forced to make a change when Max Wright limped off to be replaced by Steven Forbes. With McAusland going up front and Forbes taking over at right back. It was Motherwell who took the lead on 36 mnutes, Jamie Pollock ‘s corner from the right was met at the near post by Gary Smith who glanced his header past Adam.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Adam’s clearance was flicked on by Hemmings, but McAusland’s effort was high over the bar. In the final first half minute Motherwell had a player down injured and with the Rangers players hesitating expecting the ball to knocked out of play, Pollock seeing Adam off his line shot from halfway, but his effort cleared the crossbar.

Half-Time:- Motherwell 1 Rangers 0

Rangers suffered a further blow in the opening minute of the second half, Hemmings coming out second best in a clash with keeper Hyslop and having to be replaced by Christiano Kisuka.  They were to suffer a further injury blow when Kyle McAusland picked up an ankle knock, Rangers had used their three subs and although he continued was a virtual passenger for the rest of the game.

Motherwell increased their lead on 55 minutes, Grant brown played a ball up to the edge of the box and as Darren Cole and Chris Scott dithered, Steven Lawless shot past Adam. Ten minutes later and a solo run by Jamie Pollock made it 3-0, going past two Rangers defenders inside the box and beating Adam with the aid of a deflection.

A few minutes later Martin’s free-Kick was nodded on by Smith to Lawless and Adam saved his shot low at his right hand post. Rangers had a great chance to reduce the deficit on 72 minutes, Hutton and Kisuka combined to set up a shooting chance for Dick, his effort was blocked but fell into the path of Kyle Hutton who looked certain to score but shot just wide.

With five minutes remaining Motherwell scored again. Darren Cole was short with a header back and Adam did well to save at the feet of Lawless, but the ball broke to Ryan Martin who scored from the angle of the penalty area. Two minutes later and Motherwell were denied a clear penalty when Cole sent Lawless crashing inside the box, but to everyone’s surprise the referee waved play on.

With a minute remaining Rangers scored a consolation goal, Gordon Dick’s corner from the right was headed goalwards by Kamil Wiktorski, although it may have taken a final touch of Well defender Dario Quinn before crossing the line. The final action was at the other end, the Rangers defence scrambled a corner clear, but only to Peter Innes at the edge of the box and Adam had to tip his powerful strike over.

Full Time:- Motherwell 4 Rangers 1

Motherwell:- Ross Hyslop; Grant Brown (Mark Smith 70 mins), Dario Quinn, Dan Parker, Jordan Halsman; Ryan Martin, Peter Innes, Steven Meechan, Steven Lawless; Gary Smith, Jamie Pollock.

Not Used:- Liam Sloan, Shaun Thomson, Ross McKinnon, Greg Pollock

Rangers:- Grant Adam; Kyle McAusland, Chris Scott, Darren Cole, Scott Durie; Adam Hunter (Gordon Dick 39mins), Kamil Wiktorski, Kyle Hutton, Rhys McCabe; Kane Hemmings (Christiano Kisuka 47mins), Max Wright (Steven Forbes 24mins).

Not Used:- Mark Weir, Ewan McNeil.

Youths Shocked by Accies

Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 2

In what was one of the poorest performances I have seen from a Rangers youth side, the Under 19’s lost to a Hamilton Accies side that had lost eleven goals without reply in their previous two league games.

There was one change from the side that defeated Hearts  in their last league match, with Gregg Wylde coming in for the injured Kane Hemmings and new Polish signing Kamil Witorski among the substitutes.

In the opening minute Max Wright had a chance when played in by Kal Naismith, but shot straight at keeper Darren Dolan. On 10 minutes at the other end the ball broke to Lee Kilday following with a corner and with his back to goal he hooked the ball just over. Five minutes later Grant Gillespie won the ball in midfield, shrugged of a challenge and shot narrowly over from the edge of the box.

On 26 minutes good play by Max Wright and Gordon Dick down the right, saw Wright advance into the box and shoot across goal and just wide of the far post. Rangers then had a great chance to take the lead on the half hour mark, Gillespie was short with a pass back and Archie Campbell broke clear, as he rounded the keeper he was forced wide and Brian McQueen got back to clear from the line.

Three minutes later Rangers took the lead, a free kick by Rhys McCabe from inside his own half was flicked on by Gordon Dick into the path of Max Wright who beat keeper Dolan from around the penalty spot.

On 37 minutes Accies came close to drawing level, John Sullivan broke down the right and played the ball inside to Ali Crawford who in turn sent it out to Jordan Kirkpatrick on the left, he cut inside Darren Cole and forced a fine save from Grant Adam.

Rangers then suffered a double blow in differing circumstances. First Gordon Dick had to leave the field injured to be replaced by Christiano Kisuka. Then in an off the ball incident spotted by the linesman, Archie Campbell was shown a red card and Hamilton’s Grant Gillespie a yellow, with Rangers being awarded the free kick.

Half Time:- Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers startred the second half with Kamil Wiktorski replacing Max Wright, but it was the visitors who looked the more likely to score. On 50 minutes good play down the right by Gillespie and Padraic Ormsby saw the later denied by a great challenge by Cole. Five minutes later only a fine save from Adam prevented an equaliser, again the play came down the Accies right and the ball fell for McQueen to shoot from the egde of the box, with Adam saving high to his left  to save at the expense of a corner.

Another last ditch clearance this time from Scott Durie on 67 minutes kept Rangers in front. The goal was only delayed and from the resultant corner Kyle Hutton headed clear, his clearance was met on the volley by Jordan Kirkpatrick and the ball flew into the net from around 25 yards.

Only 60 seconds later and the visitors were in front, Gregg Wylde lost possession at the edge of his own box to John Sullivan who took a step forward and gave Adam no chance from just inside the box. With 12 minutes remaining Hamilton should have extended their lead. Darren Cole was short with a pass and Gillespie raced clear, he played the ball across goal to the unmarked Chris Roxburgh who shot over.

Rangers had one chance to salvage a point they didn’t deserve, Wiktorski and McCabe combined on the right and Wiktorski’s cross fell to Steven Forbes just inside the box but his shot went narrowly past.

Full Time:- Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 2

Rangers:- Grant Adam, Darren Cole, Chris Scott, Scott Durie, Rhys McCabe; Max Wright (Kamil Wiktorski 46mins), Gordon Dick (Christiano Kisuka 38mins), Kyle Hutton (Steven Forbes 68 mins), Gregg Wylde; Archie Campbell, Kal Naismith.

Not Used:- Mark Weir, Ewan McNeil

Hamilton Accies:- Darren Dolan, Padraic Ormsby, Brian McQueen, Lee Kilday (Connor McGlinchey 55mins), Declan McAvoy; Jordan McCue (Gerry O’Connell 46mins), John Sullivan, Grant Gillespie (David Hopkirk 86mins), Jordan Kirkpatrick; Ali Crawford, Chris Roxburgh.

Seventeens Take On Warriors

Rangers 3 Stenhousemuir 1

Rangers under 17’s took on Stenhousemuir in a friendly at Murray Park tonight. The game allowed the coaches to have a look at a couple of trialists.

Stenhousemuir were first to threaten and only a great tackle inside the penalty area by Steven Hetherington cleared the danger. In the tenth minute Rangers took the lead with a great goal. Ewan McNeil crossed from wide on the right and Anthony Marenghi met it on the volley with his left foot to give the keeper no chance.

Rangers doubled their lead on 32 minutes when after a great turn at the edge of the box Ewan McNeil went past another defender and beat the keeper with a right foot shot. Less than five minutes later the visitors pulled a goal back when a corner on the left was headed past Blair Currie.

With five minutes remaining in the first half Rangers almost scored again from a corner of their own. This time Ewan McNeil’s set piece was headed goalwards by trialist Johnny Fisher and only a five save diverted the ball on to the bar and clear.

Half Time :- Rangers 2 Stenhousemuir 1

Rangers had a couple of efforts early in the second half, first Fisher tested the keeper from long range, then he sent the Trialist No 9 clear and the keeper saved his shot low to his left.

Midway through the second half the Trialist N08 went close cutting inside from the left, his shot was deflected narrowly wide. With fifteen minutes remaining Frankie Owens came even closer, picking the ball up in midfield he went past a defender at the edge of the box and his shot came off the underside of the bar and bounced on the line with the keeper stranded.

On 83 minutes Rangers eventually got their third goal, Kyle McAusland heading home Lewis McLeod’s corner. It was McAusland who had the last attempt in the match, a great run saw him go past three defenders only to see the keeper come out and block his shot.

Full Time:- Rangers 3 Stenhousemuir 1

Rangers :- Blair Currie, Adam Hunter, Gregor Fotheringham, Kyle McAusland, Steven Hetherington; Ewan McNeil (Lewis McLeod), Johnny Fisher (Frankie Owens), Nicky Main, Trialist N08 (Lee Cochrane), Anthony Marenghi (George Scott); Trailist No9 (Trialist No 19)

Development Teams Round Up

With last weekends games cancelled due to a coaching conference at Hampden,  Rangers took the opportunity to arrange some friendlies against Clyde for this midweek.  I managed to take in a couple of these games and here is a brief report below.

Rangers 14’s -3- Clyde 15’s -0

On Tuesday night the under 14’s took on Clyde’s under 15’s in what was a entertaining game. After an even first period that finished goalless Rangers took the lead towards the end of the second period. The goal coming from a Tom Walsh corner on the left that was headed home by central defender Greg Pescezio.

In the third period Rangers added two further goals which in the end secured a comfortable win. The second goal came when Lewis Morgan played the ball in from the right which was helped on by Luke Hammond to Tom Walsh on the left side of the penalty area and he shot across the keeper into the net.

The third goal was started on the left by some good work by Mark Filshie and Tom Walsh, the later playing the ball inside to Luke Hammond, who in turn found Lewis Morgan wide on the right. Lewis’s cross come shot went high over the keeper and into the net.

Rangers Squad:- Liam Kelly, Ryan Sinnamon, Mark Filshie, Greg Pascezio, Jack Baird, Scott Roberts, Tom Walsh, Clody Ntumba, Jamie Mills, Danny Stoney, Luke Hammond, Lewis Morgan, Elliott Ford

Rangers 12’s -3-Clyde 13’s -2

On Wednesday night it was the turn of the under 12’s, when they took on Clyde’s 13’s. The sides had shared 4 goals in a draw at Broadwood a few weeks ago. At this age group Rangers will be playing 7-a-side until the turn of the year when they move to 11-a-side. These games are an opportunity to give them some experience of the 11 a side game on the full size park before making the switch permanently.

Just like the game previous game the young Rangers side had to come back from two goals down. Clyde took the lead in the first period when keeper Robbie McCrorie was rather harshly judged to have fouled when challenging inside his penalty area, Clyde converting from the spot.

Early in the second period Clyde doubled their lead when Rangers failed to clear following their own goal kick. At this point the younger side were struggling to adapt to the 11-a-side game, but the longer the game went on the more they settled in to a rhythm.

Rangers had a great chance to pull one back midway through the second period when Anton Richardson was fouled inside the box. He stepped up to take the kick himself but knocked it wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

The goal was only delayed and Rangers were back in the game when Josh Jeffries made progress down the left and he shot across the keeper who managed parry but only into the path of  Robbie Crawford who had an easy task to net from close range.

Going into the third period Rangers were much more in the game and it was no surprise when they equalised. Robbie Stirling broke in to the box and it looked like he had lost his chance, but when the Clyde keeper failed to gather Robbie found the ball back at his feet and he knocked it across goal to give the Trialist No.14 a simple tap in.

As time wore on it was looking like ending in a 2-2 draw just like the previous game, but the young Rangers side were not to be denied. When the Clyde defence failed to clear the ball it eventaully broke to Robbie Stirling who shot high past the keeper to give Rangers a hard fought win.

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie, Ross McCrorie, Jamie Ballentyne, Danny Kelly, Ryan Hogan, Stuart Golley, Cameron Price, Jamie Brandon, Adam Frizzell, Robbie Crawford, Josh Jeffries, Lewis Smith, Kieran Miller, Robbie Stirling, Anton Richardson, Ross Doohan and the afore mentioned trialist.

Rangers 15’s -1- Clyde 16’s -2

This game took play on Monday night, unfortunately I couldn’t make it along so no report on that game.

Seven Gers In Scotland 19’s Squad

No fewer than seven Rangers players have been selected for Scotland’s friendly double header against Iceland.

The teams will meet each other twice, the first of which at Broadwood on Monday 7th September (3pm kick off) and the other, the following Wednesday (9th), at Stirling’s Forthbank (3pm kick off).

The full squad:-

Goalkeepers:

Grant Adam (Rangers), Andrew Kennedy (Celtic)

Defenders:

Kyle Benedictus (Dundee), Callum Booth (Hibernian), Darren Cole (Rangers), Liam Cooper  (Hull City), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Steven Saunders (Motherwell), Craig Thomson (Heart of Midlothian), Daniel Wilson (Rangers), Gregg Wylde (Rangers)

Midfielders:

Sean Burns (St Mirren), Tom Cairney (Hull City), James Forrest (Celtic), Kyle Hutton (Rangers), Bradden Inman (Newcastle United), Steven Meechan (Motherwell), Jamie Ness (Rangers), Paul Slane (Motherwell)

Forwards: 

Archie Campbell (Rangers), James Keatings (Celtic), Steven Lawless (Motherwell), Robert McHugh (Motherwell), Scott Robinson (Heart of Midlothian), Gordon Smith (Heart of Midlothian)