17’s Lose Two Goal Lead

Rangers 2 Aberdeen 4

Rangers Under 17’s lost a two goal lead before eventually losing by 4-2 against Aberdeen at Murray Park today. With Robbie McCrorie away on International duty and the club are currently without another Under 17’s keeper, with Aberdeen’s agreement Liam Kelly took his place between the sticks.

There few clear-cut chances in the early stages but Rangers were unfortunate not to take the lead when the Aberdeen keeper came for a Ross Lyon free-kick, missed it and the ball ended up in the net, but the referee saw an infringement and awarded a free-kick. The Ibrox youngsters did take the lead just after the half-hour mark, Ross Lyon cut in from the right and his reverse pass freed Lewis White on the right side of the penalty area to shoot past the keeper.

Seven minutes later Ross Lyon beat a defender on the edge of the box and his shot took a slight deflection before going over the keeper to double Rangers lead. Aberdeen replied within two minutes when an exchange of passes through the centre opened up the defence and the player advanced into the box to shoot past Liam Kelly.

In a period of the game that saw end to end chances Sam Liddington passed  inside to Junior Ogen from the left, the midfielder’s long-range shot bringing out a fine save from the Aberdeen keeper low to his right. The visitors capitalised on that by going back up the other end to equalise, the move started on the left and play was switch across to the right side of the box where the ball was fired past Liam Kelly. There was still time for Rangers to threaten before the half-time whistle, with Ben Reilly driving a free-kick on the edge of the box just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Aberdeen 2

The first chance of the second half came after good work on the right from Ben Reilly but Ross McCrorie didn’t connect cleanly with his low cross and the keeper saved comfortably. Aberdeen took the lead on the hour mark David Brownlie was beaten in the air to a long ball and the flick on released the Aberdeen strike partner who took on Michael Mossie before shooting past Liam Kelly.

Ten minutes later the visitors increased their lead, with the Rangers defence struggling to clear their penalty area the ball was driven through a crowd of players and into the net from around the penalty spot. Rangers missed a great chance to reduce the deficit on seventy-five minutes, Jamie Brandon’s corner from the right was headed back across goal by Michael Mossie, Junior Ogen looked certain to score from close range but headed over.

Aberdeen finished the stronger and came close to increasing their advantage on a couple of occasions. From the left side of the box their player stepped inside before sending a shot that beat Liam Kelly but rebounded from the crossbar. In the last few minutes a twenty-five yard drive brought out the best of Liam Kelly, diving high to his left to tip over.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Aberdeen 4

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Scot Whiteside, Michael Mossie (Trialist 79mins), David Brownlie, Sam Liddington (Chris McDonald 60mins); Ross Lyon, Junior Ogen, Ross McCrorie, Lewis White (Kyle Clark 65mins); Max Ashmore (Jamie Brandon 55mins); Ben Reilly.