Wolves Visit Murray Park

Tonight provided an opportunity to watch Rangers U12’s take on their counterparts from Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderer’s academy, the English side having gone down 3-2 to a late goal against Celtic on Monday night. The game was played over three thirty minute periods on the astroturf pitch which was reduced in size by a few yards all round, with smaller goals on the six yard line.

Rangers took an early lead when Stephen Kelly sent a looping shot from the edge of the box over the keeper and into the top corner. Midfielder Kelly continued to look the most likely to score again coming close on several occasions, after combining with Carlo Pignatiello his netbound shot was deflected wide, he then brought out a fine diving save from the Wolves keeper after he won the ball at the edge of the box and finally Aaron Reid broke down the left and when he cut the ball back Kelly’s effort beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by a back tracking defender.

The visitors were then to draw level against the run of play, with their striker through on goal Lewis Muir produced a fine save but was helpless as the rebound was converted. Rangers were soon back in front and again Stephen Kelly was prominent, when the keeper parried his shot Pignatiello was on hand to cut the ball back and give Aaron Mooney a simple tap in.

Rangers increased their lead when Pignatiello sent Mooney through on goal, the keeper saved his shot on goal but the ball went back to the Rangers striker and he cut the ball back to Cameron Palmer who found the net from around the penalty spot. Although the English side were seen less as an attacking force they were dangerous when the ventured forward and after a good move down the right they pulled a goal back from a shot just inside the box.

Another break down the right almost produced an equaliser but their big striker was denied by a fine Darren Montgomery save. Kelly then split the Wolves defence with a pass inside the full-back to send Andy Boyd racing down the right, his low cross was perfect for Dylan Patterson to fire past the keeper from close range. A few minutes later the Wolves keeper dived to his right to deny Jordan Houston after he cut in from the left before driving for goal.

A superb pass from central defence from Jack Thompson sent Dylan Patterson through and he continued into the box before calmly shooting past the keeper. Patterson had a chance to complete a quick fire hat-trick when Kelly and Boyd combined to send him through, this time shooting across goal and just wide of the post.

Wolves when then caught in possession trying to play out of defence, the keeper doing well to block Cameron Kerr’s shot but was left helpless as Carlo Pignatiello netted the rebound. Rangers keeper Montgomery then produced a fine save tipping a free-kick over the bar, from the corner when the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where it was fired back and came off the cross-bar, in the ensuing scramble a Wolves player forced the ball over the line to pull another goal back.

Pignatiello then chased a ball down the left towards the byline and when he cut the ball back into the box Dylan Patterson was well placed to fire home and complete his hat-trick. Rangers then cut through the Wolves defence with a fine passing move, Houston’s shot was parried and as the ball rolled towards the line a defender got back to clear. Wolves looked certain to reply at the other end until Montgomery stunned the visitor’s with a brilliant tip over. The scoring was complete when  Andy Boyd progressed down the right and his cross found its way to Jordan Houston at the back post where he controlled the ball before shooting past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 8 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Muir (Gk), Darren Montgomery (Gk), Matthew Innes, Scott Gray, Lewis Mayo, Jack Thompson, Stephen Kelly, Jordan Houston, Cameron Palmer, Carlo Pignatiello, Aaron Mooney, Aaron Reid, Cameron Wray, Matthew Shiels, Andy Boyd, Dylan Patterson, Cameron Kerr.