Youth Update

 A wintry Murray Park was the venue for this weeks’ youth football fix, with the U14’s taking on Motherwell in the morning, and the 15’s and 17’s playing Inverness Caley Thistle in the afternoon.

Rangers 8 Motherwell 1

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When Rangers lost possession at the edge of their own box the Motherwell striker broke through to shoot past Darren Montgomery and give the visitors the lead. Rangers were soon back on level terms when Aidan Wilson powered a free-kick from twenty-five yards high into the net.

When Grant Nelson sent a free-kick from the left the ball was cleared to the edge of the box to Sam Jamieson and his drive was just too straight and the keeper saved. On the twenty-minute mark Aidan Wilson almost found the net with another powerful free-kick this time the keeper tipped over. From the resultant corner the keeper failed to collect Grant Nelson’s corner and the ball was cleared off the line.

Rangers trialist then broke forward from midfield and played Kieran Pirrie through on the right side of the box with the Motherwell keeper coming from his line to block. Just before the end of the first period Rangers took the lead, Jordan Houston’s driven cross being deflected past the keeper for an Own Goal.

Rangers extended their lead when Sam Jamieson’s free-kick was cleared to the edge of the box Liam Burt fired a shot into the ground and towards  Aidan Wilson who hooked the ball over his head and in to the net. The fourth goal soon followed with Dean Picken on hand net from Grant Nelson’s corner from the left.

Rangers continued to dominate and when Lewis Ferguson sent Sam Jamieson clear on the right his cross was converted at the back post by Euan McMillan with a great finish to complete the scoring in the second period.

Rangers trialist was the creator of the next goal with some good play on the right hand byline and his pass across goal gave Jay Willis a simple tap in. The Trialist then capped his performance when he found the net from the edge of the box after collecting a pass played in from the right. Scoring was complete when Jay Willis cut in from the left past two defenders before shooting beyond the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 8 Motherwell 1

Rangers Squad:- Darren Montgomery (Gk), Jordan Houston, Kieran Laing, Dean Picken, Aidan Wilson, Trialist, Liam Burt, Lewis Ferguson, Kieran Pirrie, Sam Jamieson, Grant Nelson, Jay Willis, Euan McMillan.

Rangers 7 Inverness Caley Thistle 1

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The weather continued to be severe and the teams kicked-off about ten minutes ahead of the scheduled 1.30 start. Rangers were having the bulk of possession but were finding the visitors difficult to break Caley down. The first real chance was created by some good work from Scott Roberts on the left and when his cross came in Adam Wilson headed straight at the keeper.

The left side proved to be the source when Rangers took the lead, Jamie Mills playing the ball forward to Scott Roberts who went past the full-back before passing to Tom Walsh who in turn moved the ball on to Gloady Ntumba to shoot past the keeper. The same player then had a great chance to double both his and Rangers tally when he was played through the middle but his shot was wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Inverness Caley Thistle 0

Rangers increased their lead when Scott Roberts chased the ball to the byline on the left, his back heel gave possession to Gloady Ntumba who progressed along the byline before crossing for Adam Wilson to net at the far post. Junior Ogen then came close rising to head Tom Walsh’s corner from the right narrowly over.

When Scott Roberts cut in from the left before playing the ball through for Gloady Ntumba the Caley keeper saved at the striker’s feet and the ball broke loose, with the keeper clearly injured the referee should have stopped the game, with players from both sides hesitating Tom Walsh back heeled the ball into the net. Rangers fourth goal soon followed and it was superb individual effort from Lewis Morgan, cutting in from the right he went past two defenders before firing into the bottom corner.

Another good run on the right from Lewis Morgan and a pass inside to Tom Walsh who moved the ball onto Scott Roberts only to be denied by the keeper low to his right. The keeper was again in action this time diverting Gloady Ntumba’s shot wide when he was played through on the right side of the box. From the corner the keeper failed to gather and although he blocked Gloady Ntumba’s shot it broke to Greg Pascazio who scored from close range.

The visitors pulled a goal back when Jamie Mills gave the ball away on the left, it was played to the edge of the box and the striker sidestepped a defender before shooting past Liam Kelly. Rangers were soon back on the attack and when Ben Reilly chased the ball towards the byline on the left Lewis Morgan seemed certain to score from his low cross but the keeper produced a superb point-blank save.

A goal soon followed when Ben Reilly found the overlapping Ryan Sinnamon on the right Gloady Ntumba was on hand to convert his cross. The final goal came from the penalty spot, Tom Walsh passing to Gloady Ntumba on the left side of the box, he turned the defender inside then out before being tripped, the keeper guessed right diving to his left but just couldn’t quite prevent Dylan Dykes spotkick finding the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 7 Inverness Caley Thistle 1

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon, David Brownlie, Greg Pascazio, Jamie Mills; Adam Wilson (Lewis Morgan), Junior Ogen (Ally Berry), Dylan Dykes, Tom Walsh, Scott Roberts (Ben Reilly); Gloady Ntumba.

Footnote:- At the same time Rangers U15’s lost 3-2 to their ICT counterparts. On Saturday Rangers U12’s had a 6-2 victory away to Motherwell.