Final Seconds Heartache For Youths

Rangers 1 Hibs 2

A goal in added time of extra time was cruel end to Rangers Youth Cup reign, but an ecstatic climax to to Hibs Youngsters season. Rangers had Danny Wilson, Ross Perry, Kyle Hutton and Kane Hemmings back in the starting eleven for tonight’s final at Hampden.

Hibs were first to threaten on 9 minutes when Kurtis Byrne and David Wotherspoon combined to set up a chance for Patrick Deane but Gregg Wylde made a great block to clear the danger. Four minutes later Deane came to the rescue for Hibs at the other end when a Stephen Stirling corner broke to Danny Wilson inside the box Deane’s last ditch challenge denied the Rangers captain.

Hibs then had a scare on the half hour mark when Kal Naismith’s corner on the right was flicked on by Archie Campbell and keeper Thomas Flynn missed his punch but gathered at the second attempt. Three minutes later Hibs took the lead, Wotherspoon found himself in space down the right and his cross was fired past Grant Adam by Kurtis Byrne.

Rangers replied when Stephen Stirling played the ball through to Kane Hemmings who shot wide of the far post. The final opportunity of the first half fell to Hibs with a few minutes remaining when Byrne collected Callum Booth’s throw and his powerful shot was straight at Adam.

Half Time :- Rangers 0 Hibs 1

Rangers made a great start to the second half equalising within three minutes. A long clearance by Adam was flicked on by Hemmings to Archie Campbell who held off the Hibs defenders to shoot past Flynn. Five minutes later Flynn had to look sharp to head clear outside his penalty area to deny Hemmings.

At the other end an Oliver Russell pass gave Byrne the chance to shoot and he brought out a fine save from Adam, tipping the ball over for a corner. On 70 minutes Rangers suffered a blow when keeper Adam came to collect a high ball and collied with the Hibs forward, he was stretchered from the field and replaced by Arturs Vailculis.

With six minutes remaining Hibs missed an excellent chance. A crossfield pass from Kyle Hutton was intercepted by Scott Taggart who sent Byrne down to the byline, his cross had Vailculis in trouble and when he failed to gather Fergus Bell could only knock the ball wide at the far post.

At the other end a Darren Cole long throw was flicked on by Jamie Ness to be headed narrowly over by substitute Isa Bagci. Then in the final minute Hibs missed another excellent chance when Wotherspoon failed to connect with a  Byrne cross with the goal at his mercy.

End Of 90 Minutes:- Rangers 1 Hibs 1

The first half of extra time was pretty uneventful, with both team tiring there was half chances at both ends. The second half was following a similar pattern till the 118th minute when Booth advance down the left and his cross  looked like being forced home but the Rangers defence scrambled clear.

With the 120 minutes up and penalties looking likely Isa Bagci lost possession at the halfway line, the ball was played into the box and broke to Scott Taggart his shot bounced into the turf  and  as it spun up Kurtis Byrne got a touch with his head to loop the ball over the stranded Vailculis to clinch a youth double for the Hibs youngsters.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Hibs 2

Rangers :- Grant Adam (Arturs Vailculis 70mins); Darren Cole, Ross Perry, Danny Wilson, Gregg Wylde; Kyle Hutton, Stephen Stirling, Jamie Ness, Kal Naismith (Isa Bagci 85mins); Archie Campbell, Kane Hemmings (Gordon Dick 65mins).

Not Used:- Scott Durie, Dylan McGeough.

Hibs:- Thomas Flynn; Ally Park, Ewan Moyes (Matthew Welch 110mins), Scott Smith, Calum Booth; Fergus Bell (Darren Kelly 88 mins), Oliver Russell, David Wotherspoon, Lee Currie, Kurtis Byrne; Patrick Deane (Scott Taggart).

Not Used:- Lewis Graham, Keith Murray

 

Win Not Enough For Youngsters

Rangers 1 Aberdeen 0

By the time the Rangers youngsters kicked off today it was known that Hibs late goal in the earlier kick-off at Fir Park had ended their title hopes. There were three changes to the side that drew with Celtic last weekend. Danny Wilson is on first team duty, Kyle Hutton suspended after last week’s red card and Kane Hemmings has joined Ross Perry on the injury list. Chris Scott, Steven Forbes and Kyle McAusland coming in as replacements

Rangers missed and excellent early chance in the 8th minute, Kal Naismith knocked the ball out wide left to Kyle McAusland and his cross should have been converted at the back post by Steven Forbes but he headed wide. Then just after the 15 minute mark Archie Campbell passed up another excellent chance, he raced clear on a Grant Adam clearance, but as he tried to round keeper Scott Bain he over ran the ball and the chance was lost.

Straight away Aberdeen threatened at the other end when Peter Pawlett broke down the right, but Calum McRobbie failed to connect properly when he met the cross into the box. The visitors continued to threaten and Nicky Low tested Adam with a long range shot.  Then just before the half hour mark Hallur Hansson was tackled inside the Rangers box, but the ball broke to McRobbie and Adam saved his powerful shot.

A few minutes later Stephen Stirling picked the ball up on the halfway line and his run took him past three Aberdeen defenders and Bain made a fine save low to his left from his shot from the edge of the box. The next chance came when Steven Forbes got to the byline on the right, his cross was punched into the air by keeper Bain, Kal Naismith met it on the volley which was blocked on the line by Rogvi Holm.

Chances were being created at both ends and the next effort saw Stephen O’Donnell shoot just wide of Adam’s right hand post. In 43 minutes Aberdeen had their best chance of the half, Mitchel Meggison sent McRobbie clear and Adam came racing out side his area to block with his legs. Not to be out done Bain then kept the scoreline blank at half-time with a great double save from Jamie Ness and Archie Campbell.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Aberdeen 0

The Dons were first to threaten after half time, in 54 mins only a great challenge by Scott Durie on Low prevented a scoring opportunity. Then three minutes later Pawlett fed O’Donnell inside the box but he could only shoot into the side netting.

Bang on the hour mark Rangers took the lead, Jamie Ness combined with substitute Max Wright creating a chance for the latter who shot home from the edge of the box.  Aberdeen then missed a great chance to equalise when Pawlett was through but shot weakly at keeper Adam. Straight to the other end and a Kal Naismith cross had keeper Bain scrambling to tip over.

With 15 minutes remaining Bain produced another fine save, touching a Jamie Ness 30 yarder past the post.  O’Donnell then missed another chance to level, after a one-two with Pawlett, shooting over. Rangers immediately went up the park and Gordon Dick combined with Naismith, it looked like Max Wright would covert Naismith’s cross but headed wide.

With a couple of minutes remaining, after a scramble in the box the ball broke to Rhys McCabe and Bain made a fine save from his powerful shot. Aberdeen then had one last chance to salvage something when McRobbie broke down the left and crossed in to the box, Chris Scott won the race to clear under pressure from Meggison.

So it is congratulations to Hibs in the their League success, the consensus is that they have been the best team in the league this season. Rangers can now look forward to Wednesday’s Youth Cup Final against the Edinburgh side. Both league games have been good close encounter’s and Billy Kirwood’s side look to make it three cup wins in a row.

Full-Time:- Rangers  1  Aberdeen 0

Rangers:- Grant Adam; Scott Durie, Chris Scott, Darren Cole, Gregg Wylde (Rhys McCabe 75mins); Steven Forbes, Steven Stirling (Gordon Dick 62 mins), Jamie Ness, Kal Naismith; Archie Campbell ( Max Wright 55mins), Kyle McAusland.

Not Used:- Arturs Vailculis, Dyland McGeough.

Aberdeen:- Scott Bain; Jonathan Crawford, Rogvie Holm, Chris Gallagher; Stephen O’Donnell, Calum McRobbie, Hallur Hansson, Peter Pawlett, Nicky Low; Mitchel Meggison.

Not Used:- Ross Gibson, Ryan Jack, Dean Jarvis, Jamie Masson, Clark Roberston.

Footnote:-

Rangers under 15’s took on Clyde in a friendly at Murray Park on Thursday night.

Rangers 4 Clyde 0

Rangers too the lead in the 8th minute when the Trialist No9 got to the byline and his cut back was fired home by Lewis McLeod. The second came on 37 mins, when the Trialist No9 headed in a Lewis McLeod corner.

On 63 mins a Lewis McLeod corner was met by Andy Murdoch who’s effort was blocked, but broke to the Trialist No9 who made 3-0 from close range. And the fourth came from yet another Lewis McLeod corner 77mins, this time headed home by Frankie Owens.

Rangers :- Blair Currie; Ross Dickson, Darren Ramsay, Gregor Fotheringham, Blair Smith; Mark Taylor, Lewis Barr, George Scott, Frankie Owens; Trialist, Lewis McLeod.

Subs All Used :- Sam George (GK), Andy Murdoch, Jack Donaldson.

Old Firm Stalemate

Rangers 0 Celtic 0

For the second time this season the youth teams of Rangers and Celtic fought out a goalless draw. With the the Edinburgh derby also finishing level it now means at win for Hibs in their last game away to Motherwell would clinch the title. Anything less would give hope to both Rangers and and Hearts who have two and three games left respectively.

In a disappointing first half that was dominated by Celtic, but failed to produce anything of note until the 30th minute and even then it was only to report a change of keeper for the visitors. When Daniele Giordano who had picked up a knock in an earlier challenge by Archie Campbell was replaced by Andrew Kennedy.

A minute later Rangers in their first real attack had the first real sight of goal, Campbell picked up the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area and played it square to Kal Naismith who made space for himself but screwed his shot well wide. Just before half time Krisjanis Vallers had a chance for Celtic but shot weakly straight at Grant Adam.

Half-Time:-Rangers 0 Celtic 0

Rangers started the second half in more determined fashion, first Kane Hemmings had a great run past two defenders only to see his shot blocked. Then in the second minute Gregg Wylde broke forward and shot wide.

On 50minutes Kyle Hutton was yellow carded for a rash challenge on Sean Fitzharris. This proved costly two minutes later when the referee deemed his foul on Vallers worthy of a second yellow and Rangers were reduced to 10 men.

On 66 minutes a good turn by Hemmings gave him a chance but he shot straight at keeper Kennedy. Then at the other end  Fitzharris shot straight at Adam.

With six minutes remaining Celtic were also reduced to 10 men. Archie Campbell burst past three defenders and was clear through on goal only to be hauled by back Ryan Strachan for a clear foul and clear red card. From the resultant free kick Stephen Stirling shot tamely straight at Kennedy.

In the dying minutes Rangers came close in a couple of ocassions, Scott Durie headed a Gregg Wylde free kick just over. Then with Grant Adam up in the Celtic box for a corner the visitors defence eventually managed to clear.

The best chance of the match came in the final minute, Campbell held the ball up inside the box and laid it back in to the path of the late arriving Gordon Dick who’s effort was tipped over by Kennedy for a corner. From the corner Danny Wilson headed just wide, which was to prove the final action of what had been a game of few goal scoring chances.

Full-Time:- Rangers 0 Celtic 0

Rangers :- Grant Adam; Scott Durie, Darren Cole, Danny Wilson, Gregg Wylde; Kyle Hutton, Stephen Stirling, Jamie Ness, Kal Naismith (Tom Miller 56mins (Gordon Dick 67mins)); Archie Campbell, Kane Hemmings (Isa Bagci 72mins).

Not Used :- Steven Forbes, Chris Scott, Dylan McGeough, Arturs Vailculis.

Celtic:- Daniele Giordano (Andrew Kennedy 30mins); Grant Gallagher, Ryan Strachan, Matty Hughes, Antonis Kurakins; Phillip Johnstone (James Keatings 85mins), Richie Towell, Krisjanis Vallers, Michael Tidser, Jim Forrest; Sean Fitzharris (Danny Gardiner 72mins).

Not Used:- Declan Gallagher, Callum Bagshaw, Luca Santonocita, Lewis Toshney

Footnote:-

Rangers under 17’s cliched their place in the Glasgow Cup Final, with a 5-0 win over Queen’s Park on Tuesday night. The winners will meet either Celtic or Clyde in the final on 11th May.

After a goaless first half Rangers took the lead on 49 mins via a Chris Scott header from a Rhys McCabe free kick.  The lead was doubled on 54 minutes when Kyle McAusland headed home a Michael Noble Cross. Max Wright made it 3-0 on 63 minutes slotting home a Dylan McGeough square pass.

Rangers added another two in the final minutes, Chris Scott with a tap in from a Max Wright cross and the final minute another Max Wright cross was converted by Kyle McAusland.

Rangers:- Gary Inglis; Ewan McNeil, Chris Scott, Kyle McAusland, Michael Noble (Scott Rumsby 83mins); Nicky Main (Robbie Crawford 80mins), Dylan McGeough, Rhys McCabe, Anthony Meringhi; Max Wright, Cristiano Kisuka (Murray Wallace 70mins).

Not Used:- Blair Currie

Queen’s Park :- Paul Cankaye, ?? Garvie, Danny McKenzie, Fraser Barbour, Kevin Green, Nathan Blockley,  ?? Galbraith, Ryan Murney, ?? Sinclair, ?? Durante, Scott Morton

Subs:- Anton McDowell, ?? Newall, ?? Jones, Jamie Hunter

 

Youngster’s League Reign Over ??

Motherwell 2 Rangers 0

A disappointing performance and result looks to have ended Rangers reign as Youth League champions. Only an unlikely sequence of results can see the Ibrox youngsters reatin their crown.

Motherwell almost took the lead in the 8th minute, when a right wing cross from Peter Innes bounced of the top of Vailulis’s cross bar.  Four mintues later, Gordon Dick switched play from the right over to Steven Forbes on the left, he cut inside past the full back and fired a shot into the side netting.

On 18 minutes only a great save from Arturs Vailculis prevented Robert McHugh giving Motherwell the lead when he dived to his right to touch the striker’s shot past for a corner.

There was a long period of midfield play and a lack of goalmouth action until the 40th minute, when Ryan Martin found himself clear on the right. Vailculis advanced and forced him wide and his effort was way off target.

A minute later Motherwell took the lead from the penalty spot, Steven Lawless broke into the box and was fouled by Darren Cole for a clear penalty, Lawless then sent Vailculis the wrong way from the spot. Just before half time Steven Coutts had to look sharp to collect a Johnathan Page headed pass back at the feet of Archie Campbell.

Halt-Time:- Motherwell 1 Rangers 0

Motherwell almost added to their lead on 51 minutes, Innes and Lawless combined on the right and Lawless’s cross was met on the volley by Paul Slane, but Vailculis managed to divert the ball past. Slane threatened again 6 minutes later, a run down the left took him past two Rangers players, but his shot was blocked  by a third defender.

A minute later a good run from Greg Wylde fed substitute Isa Bagci, his shot as he cut in from the right brought out a fine diving save from Coutts. Almost immediately Coutts was to deny Bagci again, this time the striker collected a long ball from Tom Miller, cut inside and again Couts dived to parry his shot, with Kyle Hutton just unable to reach the rebound.

Motherwell went straight up the other end and made it 2-0. Paul Slane was fouled out on the left 10 yards from the byline. With the Rangers defence expecting a cross, Ryan Martin played the ball back to Jordan Halsman and the edge of the box andhis effort found the net via Vaiculis’s right hand post.

Rangers now looked an beaten side and only a fantastic piece of defending by Danny Wilson prevented a third goal, blocking efforts from McHugh and the rebound from Lawless. Then with ten minutes remaining it was Gregg Wylde who prevented Jamie Pollock from getting his shot on goal.

Motherwell continued to have the upper hand and the last action of the game saw Johnathan Page win the ball on the halfway line, stride forward and his 25 yard effort hit the crossbar on the way over.

A disappointing day all round for Billy Kirkwood’s side who will know look to restore confidence in the remaining league games and of course the upcoming cup final against Hibs.

Full-Time:- Motherwell 2 Rangers 0

Motherwell Team:- Steven Coutts; Steven Saunders, Shaun Hutchinson, Johnathan Page, Jordan Halsman; Ryan Martin, Peter Innes (Jamie Pollock 75mins), Patrick McPake, Paul Slane; Robert McHugh (Calum Hendrie 83mins), Steven Lawless.

Not Used :- David McAuliffe, Nicky Gallagher, Mark Smith, Seb Kosiorowski

Rangers Team:- Arturs Vailculis; Darren Cole (Scott Durie 72mins), Ross Perry, Danny Wilson, Gregg Wylde; Gordon Dick (Tom Miller 55mins), Kyle Hutton, Stephen Stirling, Steven Forbes (Isa Bagci 46mins); Archie Campbell, Kal Naismith.

Not Used:- Chris Scott, Max Wright, Dylan McGeough, Grant Adam

Youths Hit Four

Rangers 4 Falkirk 0

With Jamie Ness injured and Kyle Hutton suspended there were two changes to the team that clinched their place in the Youth Cup Final. Steven Forbes came in wide on the right of midfield and Gordon Dick took over in centre midfield.

The visitors had the first chance of the game in the 3rd minute when a long ball from defence found Paul Sludden in space and with Arturs Vailculus off his line he tried the lob, but it lacked height and the Rangers keeper saved. Rangers first effort came 10 minutes later after Kal Naismith was fouled at the edge of the box, Stephen Stirling’s effort from the free kick just cleared the bar.

Real goal scoring chances were few and the next three half chances fell to Falkirk. Jay Lang shot over on 18 minutes, Paul Sludden’s long range effort 10 minutes later was easily saved then on the half hour mark Ashley Young’s cross was missed by Ross Perry, Sludden failed to connect properly with his header and again it was an easy save for Vailculis.

A couple of minutes later Archie Campbell broke down the right and his excellent low cross along the six yard box found no takers. On 35 minutes Rangers then hit Falkirk with two goals in as many minutes. Gordon Dick opened the scoring with a shot from just outside the box that Michael Andrews got a hand to but failed to keep it out the net. Then a long ball from Danny Wilson should have been dealt with by Kieran Duffie, Kane Hemmings capitalised on his hesitation to shoot past Andrews.

With 5 minutes remaning in the first half Rangers almost added a third, a great move down the left involving Hemmings, Wylde and Naismith, the latter’s cross found Dick arriving late into the box but his shot just went past.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Falkirk 0

A great start after the break saw Rangers add a third in the first minute, good play by Campbell on the left and an excellent deep cross to the back post found Steven Forbes who side footed past Andrews. Falkirk threatened on 54 minutes when Lang’s 25 yard effort was tipped over by Vailculis.  On 59 minutes a clearance following a Rangers corner found Sludden running clear from the halfway line, as he advanced into the box under pressure from Forbes he shot weakly at Vailculis.

At the other end 5 minutes later Stirling strode forward in the centre of the park and his shot was straight at Andrews. With 20 minutes reamining Falkirk had a couple of efforts at reducing the deficit, Lang fed Sludden in the box and Vailculis saved then the keeper saved Lang’s long range effort.

On 71 minutes Rangers added a fourth, Kane Hemmings chased down a passback and blocked Andrews attempted clearance then had the easy task of walking the ball into the net. Falkirk the had a chance  at the other end through substitute Blair Young, but a great challenge from Danny Wilson forced him to screw his shot wide. With 13 minutes remaining summer signing from Norwich City, Tom Miller came on for his first competitive appearance, a serious injury in pre-season training has saw him on the sidelines for eight months.

With five minutes left Hemmings almost got his third, an Naismith corner was met by the head of Ross Perry, keeper Andrews made a fine one handed save, Hemmings at full stretch could only knock the ball overfrom close range. Unfortunately the game ended on a sour note in the final minute. Hemmings who had an excellent game made a crazy two footed challenge on Falkirk’s ,Young inside the visitor’s penalty area. The referee had no alternative  but to produce a straight red card and fortunately the Falkirk player appeared to avoid serious injury.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Falkirk 0

Rangers Team:- Arturs Vailcuis; Darren Cole, Ross Perry, Danny Wilson, Gregg Wylde (Dylan McGeough 65mins); Steven Forbes, Gordon Dick (Tom Miller 77mins), Stephen Stirling, Kal Naismith; Archie Campbell (Max Wright 73mins), Kane Hemmings.

Not Used:- Grant Adam, Scott Durie, Isa Bagci, Cristiano Kisuka.

Falkirk Team:- Michael Andrews; Eric Schultz-Eklund (Wayne Sproule 42mins), Kieran Duffie, Paul McLean, Euen Grant; Aashley Young, Jay Lang, Kieran Stallard, Stewart Murdoch (Lyall Shaw 77mins); Scott Davidson (Blair Young 48mins), Paul Sludden.