13’s Edge Out Dundee United

Rangers 6 Dundee United 5

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Rangers Under 13’s just did enough to edge out Dundee United in a thrilling game at Murray Park this afternoon. Rangers took the lead after eight minutes, a superb piece of skill from Dylan Patterson created space inside the box, the United keeper touched his attempted chip on to the crossbar, from the rebound Carlo Pigniatello sent a looping header over the keeper and into the net. United went straight to the other end and only a brilliant Lewis Muir save denied them an equaliser, the chance was created down the right and when the cutback was hammered goalwards the Rangers keeper leapt to turn the ball over.

The visitor’s drew level on seventeen minutes, the ball was switched out to left and the United player cut inside Jack Pow before sending a shot over Lewis Muir from a narrow angle. Five minutes later Rangers had a let off when a shot from just outside the box came back of the crossbar.

With five minutes of the period remaining United had a great chance to take the lead, with Rangers struggling to clear their box following a corner, a United player was tripped and the referee pointed to the spot, Rangers keeper Lewis Muir dived to his right to produce a superb save. The visitors were not to be denied and took the lead in the dying seconds of the period, a pass sending the player through on the right side of the box to shoot past Lewis Muir.

United started the second period where they left off in the first, on the attack. A passing move down the left created the chance and this time Lewis Muir dived to his left to save. Rangers replied when Scott Blacklaw won the ball in midfield and passed to Carlo Pigniatello who in turn passed to Dylan Patterson whose chip was just too high and cleared the crossbar.

A minute later Rangers were level, good play on the right from Zak Rudden and a pass inside saw a calm finish from Stephen Kelly, passing the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Rangers were now looking most likely and when Carlo Pigniatello was fouled on the edge of the box he sent the free-kick over the wall and the United keeper touched the ball over.

With just over ten minutes of the period gone Rangers took the lead, United lost possession from their own throw in and Zak Rudden found the net from the left side of the penalty area with a powerful sot. Dylan Patterson and Carlo Pigniatello then combined on the left and from the former’s cross Zar Rudden’s header brought out a fine save from the united keeper low to his left.

As the period came to a close Rangers scored again, when the ball was played into the box looking for Matthew Shiels it was cleared but only as far as Carlo Pigniatello who found the net with a superb shot. It was Rangers who created the first chance of the third period, a good passing move saw the ball move from Carlo Piniatello, Zak Rudden and Matthew Shiels and when the ball was laid back to Carlo Pigniatello who’s shot was only just over.

Two minutes later United reduced the deficit, a pass sent the player through on the right and with Rangers claiming offside he continued into the box to shoot past Darren Montgomery. Just after the turn round of the third period Rangers restored their two goal lead, Matthew Shiels was sent clear on the left and when his shot came back of the crossbar Scott Blacklaw knocked the ball back across goal where a United player turned it past his own keeper while trying to clear for an Own Goal.

When Carlo Pigniatello’s corner from the right landed at the feet of Zak Rudden he fired into the net to extend Rangers lead further. The visitor’s replied when the ball was played up to the striker at the edge of the box, he stepped inside a defender and beat Darren Montgomery with a fine shot. In the dying seconds the referee judged that Rhys Breen had handled a bouncing ball inside the box and this time the spot-kick was duly converted.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Dundee United 5

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Muir (Gk), Darren Montgomery (Gk), Jack Pow, Aaron Reid, Rhys Breen, Cammy Wray, Stephen Kelly, Aaron Mooney, Scott Blacklaw, Zak Rudden, Carlo Pigniatello, Dylan Patterson, Matthew Shiels, Lewis McGrattan.