Youths Hit Late Winner

Rangers 3 Blackburn Rovers 2

Rangers youngsters came back from losing as goal in the opening seconds to grab a late winner against Blackburn Rovers at Murray Park this morning. Losing the ball straight from kick-off it ended when Robbie Cotton’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected past Wayne Drummond to give Blackburn the lead.

Rangers first effort on goal came on 18 minutes but Rhys McCabe’s effort from around 25 yards was an easy save for Matthew Urwin in the Blackburn goal. McCabe then came close just after the half-hour mark, cutting in from the left and shooting just wide.

With ten minutes of the half remaining Adam Hunter fired a free-kick from the edge of the box just wide. A minute later and Rangers were level, a good build up saw the ball sent out wide to Robbie Crawford, his cross was perfect and Kal Naismith headed home for eight yards.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Blackburn Rovers 1

The visitors had a great chance five minutes into the second half, a clearance from keeper Unwin sent Osayamen Osawe down the left, he went past Ewan McNeil and his cutback found Micah Evans who shot wide. Five minutes later Wayne Drummond had to make a good block after John O’Sullivan had played in Osawe.

Rangers then took the lead just after the hour mark, a Robbie Crawford corner from the right saw Kyle McAusland challenge  in the air, the ball dropped and Christiano Kisuka met it on the volley to give the keeper no chance.  Five minutes later and Kisuka broke down the right, his cross found the head of McAusland, but his header lacked power and substitute goalkeeper Chris Dillow saved comfortably.

With twenty minutes left Blackburn equalised, Robbie Cotton played a corner from the right low and short, substitute Jaiden Hall met it at the near post and to fire past Drummond. Rangers were back on the attack two minutes later and when Max Wright’s cross from the left broke to McAusland, keeper Dillow blocked his shot with his legs.

Willow again saved, this time a Kamil Wiktorski shot from the edge of the box. With six minutes remaining it was Rangers keeper Drummond in action, denying Osawe after a solo run took him past two defenders and clear inside the box.

That save was to prove crucial and Rangers grabbed what was to prove the winner a minute later.  Michael Noble played the ball up to the edge of the box and a sublime back-heel from Max Wright set up Robbie Crawford breaking into the box, Dillow got down to block his first effort but was helpless as he calmly stroked home the rebound.

Blackburn had one more chance in the final minute when Osawe was through on the right, Drummond again did well to parry his effort and Naismith was on hand to clear the danger.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Blackburn Rovers 2

Rangers:- Wayne Drummond; Adam Hunter (Ewan McNeil 46mins), Chris Hegarty, Darren Cole, Steven Hetherington (Michael Noble 46mins); Robbie Crawford, Andy Mitchell (Christiano Kisuka 46mins), Kamil Wiktorski, Rhys McCabe (Max Wright 46mins); Kyle McAusland, Kal Naismith.

Not Used:- Alan Smith, Chris Scott.

Blackburn Rovers:- Matthew Urwin (Chris Dillow 61mins); Peter Wylie, Tony O’Connor, Ryan Edwards, Alex Billington; Robbie Cotton, Hugo Fernandez Molnia (Will James 61mins), Andy Parry (Cameron Lindsay 61mins); John O’Sullivan, Osayamen Osawe, Micah Evans (Jaiden Hall 61mins).