Development Teams Round-Up

Queen’s Park 2 Rangers 13

This week’s opponents for the development teams were Queen’s Park and the fixtures meant I could take in the Under 13’s game at Toryglen before heading to Ibrox on Saturday. It was an impressive display from the Rangers youngsters and their passing was the key to recording a comfortable win.

Rangers hit their opponents early and were soon three goals ahead in barely five minutes. The first goal came when Kieran McKechnie intercepted a clearance and headed towards the byline on the right and his cutback was converted by Niyah Joeseph. Dylan Patterson then fed Mark Leonard on the left and his cross produced a similar finish from Niyah Joseph inside the box.

Mark Leonard then sent a pass over the top of the defence to put Andy Rodden in the clear with the Queen’s defence claiming offside the Rangers full-back finished with a fine lob over the keeper. Andy Rodden then hit the byline on the left and when his cross was cleared to the penalty spot Dylan Patterson looked likely to score but the keeper blocked with his legs.

Rangers soon found the net again, Billy Gilmour passed to Kieran McKechnie on the right and when he attacked the penalty area the ball broke back to Billy Gilmour who ‘s superb shot found the top far corner. Kieran McKechnie and Mark Leonard then worked a short corner on the left, the ball was laid back to Andy Rodden and his cross was headed just wide by Danny Finlayson.

Danny Finlayson then started the move that led to the fifth goal with a long pass out to Kieran McKechnie on the right, the keeper parried his shot but only into the path of Niyah Joseph who had a simple tap in. The home side had a chance to reduce the deficit with an attack through the middle, but Reece Murdoch was quick from his line to block and Nathan Patterson got back to block the shot from the rebound and clear.

The Rangers keeper was again called into action at the start of the second period, the attack came down the right and when the ball was played into the box Reece Murdoch blocked the shot with his legs. Rangers responded by scoring again, created on the left by Mark Leonard and executed in the middle by Niyah Joseph.

Queen’s then scored a goal their application and commitment deserved, a mixup in the Rangers defence allowed the opportunity which was duly taken. Rangers were soon back on attack and Kieran McKechnie attacked on the right, Nathan Patterson challenged at the near post for his cross and the ball broke for Mark Leonard to fire into the net.

The home side responded and grabbed a second goal with a superb finish, the attack was down the right and the shot from the right hand angle of the box gave Reece Murdoch no chance. Rangers next goal came when Kieran McKechnie sent a free-kick into the box from the right, the ball was missed by everyone and nestled in the corner of the net.

The Queen’s keeper was soon beaten again, this time  it was a Harry Cochrane shot from just outside the penalty area. The next goal was created by Ben Williams with his pass into the box converted by Kieran McKechnie. 

Mark Leonard then capitalised on a poor clearance to send Ben Williamson through to shoot past the keeper. The final two  goals came in the closing minutes, the first from an Aiden Gibb shot from the right side of the box. Kyle Ewing the created the final goal from the right, passing inside to Kieran McKechnie who’s shot was deflected past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Queen’s Park 2 Rangers 13

Rangers Squad:- Reece Murdoch (Gk), Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Nathan Patterson, Andy Rodden, Aiden Gibb, Danny Finlayson, Lewis McGrattan, Kieran McKechnie, Billy Gilmour, Niyah Joseph, Dylan Patterson, Mark Leonard, Harry Cochrane, Rhuaridh McIntyre, Kyle Ewing, Ben Williamson, Zak Butterworth.

Footnote:- Following on from this game Rangers Under 14’s recorded a 10-0 win over their Queen’s Park counterparts.

Rangers 5 Queen’s Park 1

Sunday morning and the venue was Murray Park where the Under 15’s and Under 17’s sides from the clubs were scheduled to meet, as is the norm I take in the older age group. It was a comfortable win for Rangers with Junior Ogen again proving an effective make shift striker, grabbing a hat-trick.

Rangers had a chance straight from the kick off when Josh Jeffries broke into the left side of the penalty area with the Queen’s Park keeper diverting his shot for a corner with his legs. The visitors cleared that corner behind and from the second corner Rangers almost took the lead, Lewis White’s corner from the right broke for Junior Ogen but his effort from close range was wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Another corner was the source of Rangers opener after five minutes, again it was from the right, this time the delivery was from Max Ashmore and the ball fell for Ross McCrorie to fire into to the net from around six yards. Queen’s replied with a long-range effort that Robbie McCrorie held under his crossbar.

On ten minutes Rangers and Ross McCorie doubled their tally, having been forward for a previous set play he was found by Jordan Hammill’s cross from the right and took a touch before shooting past the keeper. Two minutes later Rangers lead was reduced when Queen’s attacked on the right and a pass released their striker through the middle to run on to shoot past Robbie McCrorie.

A free-kick just outside the right side of Rangers box and ten yards from the byline went through a crowd of players and forced Robbie McCrorie to save at his near post. As the half approached the final ten minutes Ross Lyon was just to high with a free-kick from just outside the penalty area. On the stroke of half-time a neat turn and shot on the edge of the box forced Robbie McCrorie to tip over.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Queen’s Park 1

The Spiders were first to threaten after the break, when David Brownlie headed out a cross from the right Robbie McCrorie was forced to save low to his right. Just before the hour Kyle Clark and Josh Jeffries combined to send the latter to the byline on the left, Junior Ogen challenged for his cross, the ball beat the keeper but a defender got back to clear from the line.

Rangers third goal was only delayed sixty seconds and when Ross Lyon passed to Jordan Hammill on the right hand angle of the box a superb touch took him clear of the defender and a roll across the penalty box gave Junior Ogen a simple tap in. Midway through the half a mishit Josh Jeffries corner from the right almost produced another goal, the ball found its way to Jordan Hamill and his shot through a crowded penalty area was blocked by the keeper’s legs.

Rangers scored a fourth with six minutes remaining, Ross Lyon passed to Junior Ogen on the right side of the penalty area and his shot found the far corner of the net. The final goal came three minutes later, good work down the left from Kyle Clark saw him leave a defender in his wake before his pass sent a suspiciously offside Junior Ogen  clear and he lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Queen’s Park 1

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie, Jordan Hammill, Sam Liddington, David Brownlie, Ross McCrorie, Michael Mossie, Ross Lyon, Max Ashmore, Junior Ogen, Josh Jeffries, Lewis White, Kyle Clark, Chris McDonald

Footnote:- On the adjacent newly laid astroturf pitch Rangers U15’s lost 3-2 with Rangers goals coming from Jason Krones and a Jamie Barjonas penalty.