Late Goal Gets Youths Back On Track

Dundee United 1 Rangers 2

A goal from substitute Anthony Marenghi two minutes from time was enough to put Rangers youths back on track after the weekend’s defeat to Hamilton Accies. It was no more than the Rangers youngsters deserved as home keeper Marc McCallum was on fine form and denied the Murray Park side on several occasions.

His first save came after only seven minutes, Kal Naismith went past a couple of defenders on the left and his cut back was met on the volley by Rhys McCabe and United keeper Marc McCallum tipped over. Five minutes later and a great Christiano Kisuka run took him past three defenders, with United defender John Young clearing for a corner.

Rangers took the lead om eighteen minutes and the goal had a huge slice of luck, there looked little danger when Kamil Wiktorski shot from fully thirty yards but the ball took a deflection of a home defender and left keeper McCallum no chance as it found the corner of the net. A minute later and the keeper came off his line to make a fine save from Kisuka when he was through on goal.

Five minutes later and Dylan McGeough came close, winning the ball in midfield he went past two defenders and his shot was only just wide of the post. The next chance came just after the half-hour  when Kisuka’s run down the right and pass inside gave Max Wright a chance but his shot was just too high.

Ten minutes before the break a good move involving Naismith, Wright and McGeough ended with McGeough shooting just past McCallum’s right hand post. The Ibrox youngsters were to rue those missed chances when the home side equalised with their first real chance three minutes before half-time. David Shaw and Michael Lee combined on the right to send Stuart Armstrong free inside the box and he went past Steven Hetherington before slotting the ball past Wayne Drummond.

In the final minute of the half Rangers came close to regaining the lead, Chris Hegarty’s diagonal cross saw McCabe and Shaw challenge in the air, as the ball dropped McCabe sent a superb volley goalwards and McCallum produced a brilliant diving  save.

Half-Time:- Dundee United 1 Rangers 1

The second half was not such a one-sided affair and Rangers were struggling to clear following a corner, Shaw sent a pass through to Jordan Elfverson and only a great Darren Cole challenge saved the day. Ten minutes in and McCallum  was in action again, Naismith released the over lapping Hetherington on the left, his low cross was fired goalwards by Wright and the home keeper blocked with his legs.

Just after the hour it was Rangers keeper Drummond who had to look sharp, saving Robert Thomson’s shot after his run along the byline took him past McAusland and Hegarty. The action was soon back at the other end and when McAusland played the ball up to Kisuka, the striker held the ball up before returning the pass to the full-back as he burst into the box, his shot turned behind by McCallum diving to his right.

Wiktorski then won the ball and sent Kisuka down the right and his shot was just over when a cross inside looked the better option. With quarter of an hour remaining Thomson’s cross had Cole stretching to head clear and Lee’s volley flashed across goal and wide.

A minute later and McCallum denied Rangers again, Kisuka won the ball and sent McGeough clear on the left, his cross on to the head of Naismith looked set for the net before the United keeper threw himself to touch the ball over. Just when it looked like they would be denied Rangers grabbed the winner. Substitute Anthony Marenghi played it out t0 Naismith on the left and he continued into the box to get on the end of the low cross to beat McCallum from close range.

Full-Time:- Dundee United 1 Rangers 2

Pictures from todays game at the following link:-

http://millarpictures.photoshelter.com/gallery/Dundee-United-v-Rangers-U19-231110/G00006LxSW3yp3uA/

Dundee United:- Marc McCallum; David Shaw, Patrick Barrett, John Young, Grant Mosson; Michael Lee, Willie Robertson, Gavin Stokes, Robery Thomson; Stuart Armstrong, Jordan Elfverson (Shane Campbell 80mins)

Not Used:- Liam Scott, Louis Swanson, Ryan Ferguson, Glenn Hawe

Rangers:- Wayne Drummond; Kyle McAusland, Chris Hegarty, Darren Cole, Steven Hetherington; Max Wright (Anthony Marenghi 80mins), Dylan McGeough, Kamil Wiktorski, Rhys McCabe; Christiano Kisuka, Kal Naismith.

Not Used:- Alan Smith (GK), Robbie Crawford, Ewan McNeil, Andy Mitchell, Michael Noble, Adam Hunter

Glasgow Cup Win For 17’s

Clyde 0 Rangers 2

Alan Kernaghan’s Under 17’s overcame a stubborn Clyde side at a cold Broadwood  Stadium tonight. Rangers took an early lead after only three minutes, Darren Ramsay’s corner from the right saw Stuart Urquhart challenge home keeper Liam Cameron and when the ball broke up in the air the Trialist No.9 headed it over the line despite the Clyde defence’s best efforts.

On ten minutes Ramsay sent the same player down the right and he went past a defender before his cross found its way to Robbie McIntyre at the back post and Craig Rodger made a great challenge to block his shot. Three minutes later and Gregor Fotheringham’s pass saw the Trialist No.9 go past keeper Cameron but from a narrow angle his shot went across goal and wide.

On the half-hour mark an Andy Murdoch cross from the right was knocked into the air by Matty Clarke and Robbie McIntyre’s volley was only just wide.  A minute later and the Trialist No.9 charged down Cameron’s clearance and the ball looked to be heading for the net, but was just to high and landed on the top of the net.

Clyde then created their first opening when Grant Dickie laid the ball back in to the path of full-back Scott Brown, his cross was headed goalwards by Dean Malloy which Sam George saved comfortably.  Seven minutes before the break a long ball from Craig Rodger was won at the edge of the Rangers box by Daniel Kinlon but he shot tamely past.

Half-Time:- Clyde 0 Rangers 1

Five minutes after the break it took a fine Same George save to prevent the equalizer. Jack Atwood’s cross was missed by the Rangers defence and Kinlon ‘s header was clawed away by the Rangers keeper. At the other end substitute Mark Taylor won the ball at the edge of the box and burst forward, his effort from the byline going across the face of goal.

On the hour mark a strong run from Fotheringham saw him release George Scott on the left and his low cross brough out a fine save from Cameron in the Clyde goal. A minute later and great interplay involving Ramsay, Dyer and Scott created a chance for Ramsay that Cameron tipped over.

With twenty minutes left on the clock a great Lewis McLeod pass inside the full-back released Mark Taylor, Cameron blocking his effort from a narrow angle when a cut back may have been the better option. Five minutes later and Scott’s good work on the left setup a chance for Ramsay but he shot straight at keeper Cameron.

Rangers then made the game safe with ten minutes to go, a cross from the right broke to Marc Dyer at the edge of the box and his shot sneaked in at Cameron’s left hand post. Rangers then had a chance to add a third, which would have been harsh on the home side, when Dyer broke into the box he was brought down by Aaron Kane for a penalty. Gregor Fotheringham’s spot-kick rebounding off the keeper’s left hand post and clear.

Full-Time:- Clyde 0 Rangers 2

Clyde:- Liam Cameron;  Scott Brown, Craig Rodger, Stephen Sideserf ( ???? McCafferty 83mins), Gerard Traynor; Jack Attwood, Daniel Kinlon, Aaron Kane, Dean Malloy, Dillon Duddy (Daniel Hendry 67mins); Grant Dickie (Andrew Quail 60mins)

Not Used:- Calum Easton(GK), Connor Jamieson, Euan Rawlings, Connor Paton

Rangers:- Sam George; Andy Murdoch, Jordan Wilson, Stuart Urquhart, Trialist No.3 (George Scott 46mins); Darren Ramsay, Lewis McLeod, Gregor Fotheringham, Ronnie McIntyre; Matty Clarke (Mark Taylor 52mins), Trialist No.9 (Marc Dyler 46mins)

Not Used:- Connor Shaw (GK), Scott Rumsby, Lee Cochrane, Callum Wyllie

 

 

Old Firm Victory Sends Youths Top

Celtic 2 Rangers 4

Billy Kirkwood’s Under 19’s side reserved their best performance of the season so far to record a comfortable win away to their greatest rivals. The Rangers youngsters scored four excellent goals against a side that had only lost one goal in the first six league games, with Celtic’s replies both coming from the penalty spot.

There was a bit of debate on whether a Celtic player had actually touched the ball when Rangers took the lead in the opening minute. Gordon Dick’s pass found Dylan McGeough out on the right and his cross into the box found Christiano Kisuka to send a controlled volley over keeper Robbie Thomson and into the net.  Wayne Drummond then produced a decent save when Jordan Lowden’s free-kick glanced of the head of Robbie Crawford and towards his own goal, the Rangers keeper diving to his left to concede a corner.

Straight to the other and McGeough made space to create a chance and a deflection took it only just wide. Just before the twenty-minute mark Crawford superbly controlled a McGeough cross from the right but his volley was to high and went over the bar.

A minute later and a long ball had Chris Hegarty stretching to head clear with the ball falling to Patrik Twardzik his shot was saved by Drummond. The Murray Park youngsters went back on the attack and doubled their lead almost immediately. Kal Naismith won possession and as he broke forward he was fouled at the edge of the box, he duly stepped up to send a superb strike over the wall and into the top corner.

Celtic replied on 25 minutes when Kieran Brennan and Callum McGregor combined on the left, with the former’s low cross along the six yard line being cut out by Drummond. A minute later and a slip by Hegarty allowed Twardzik a clear run on goal, Drummond coming from his line to make a fine block.

As half-time approached Drummond came to punch a Michael Ordish corner and with the ball rebounding from someone inside the packed penalty area, Dick was on hand to head clear at the keeper’s right hand post. Just when it looked like Rangers would have a comfortable half-time lead Celtic got back into the game via the penalty spot. Stephen O’Donnell’s crossfield pass from right to left, found Liam Gormley in behind the Rangers defence and when he made  his way into the box he was caught by Kyle McAusland and the referee pointed to the spot. Callum Bagshaw stepped up to beat Drummond from twelve yards.

Half-Time:- Celtic 1 Rangers 2

Rangers again started with a bang and increased their lead after only four minutes and it was a superb individual goal from Dylan McGeough. Picking the ball up near the right  hand touchline he cut inside past a defender and with everyone expecting a pass he sent a shot from 25 yards high past Thomson. The Ibrox boys didn’t get a chance to settle on their two goal lead as Celtic were awarded a second penalty a minute later. When the ball broke at the edge of Rangers box, McGregor went down under a Darren Cole challenge, the referee adjudged it was both a foul and inside the box and pointed to the spot. Callum Bagshaw netting from the spot for the second time.

Just before the hour the home side tested Drummond on a couple of occasions, first Ordish broke from halfway and went past a defender before shooting straight at the Rangers keeper from the edge of the box. Then he dived to his right to clutch a Lowdon free-kick, both saves being relatively comfortable.

Rangers then replied when Naismith won the ball in midfield, made space and shot just wide of Thomson’s left hand post. With eleven minutes remaining Rangers made the points safe. Christiano Kisuka out muscled Lewis Toshney in the chase for a through ball, despite a tug from the defender inside the box he managed knock the ball over Thomson, it ball looked certain to hit the net only to come back off the crossbar, and there was Kal Naismith to fire the ball into the empty net.

The Ibrox side then saw the game out comfortably with the only threat coming in the final minute. A reverse pass from Twardzik freeing Bahrudin Atajic inside the box with Darren Cole making a great block.

Full-Time:- Celtic 2 Rangers 4

Celtic:- Robbie Thomson; Stephen O’Donnell, Lewis Toshney, Matty Hughes, Kieran Brennan (Darnell Fisher 71mins); Michael Ordish ( Bahrudin Atajic 57mins), Callum Bagshaw, Jordan Lowdon, Callum McGregor; Patrik Twardzik, Liam Gormley (Paul George 75mins).

Not Used:- Nick Feely (GK), John Herron, Marcus Fraser, Joe Chalmers

Rangers:- Wayne Drummond; Kyle McAusland, Chris Hegarty, Darren Cole, Steven Hetherington; Dylan McGeough, Gordon Dick, Kamil Wiktorski, Robbie Crawford (Ewan McNeil 61mins); Christiano Kisuka, Kal Naismith.

Not Used:- Alan Smith (GK), Max Wright, Anthony Marenghi, Andy Mitchell, Adam Hunter, Michael Noble.

Weekend Developement Games

With the younger age groups taking on Falkirk I managed to take in two games over the weekend.

On Saturday the Under 17’s deserved their win, although the three goal margin was perhaps a bit flattering. All the goals came in the second-half with the first coming from a rather soft penalty, the referee seen an infringement when the ball was delivered into the box from a free-kick. Gregor Fotheringham stepped up to score from the spot.

The second goal came when Marc Dyer was played through and he rounded the keeper before rolling the ball home. And Marc Dyer was involved in the third, getting a flick on to a long ball to send George Scott through to shoot past the keeper.

Rangers Squad:- Connor Shaw (GK), Sam George (GK), Mark Taylor, Robbie McIntyre, Jordan Wilson, Stuart Urquhart, Gregor Fotheringham, George Scott, Lewis McLeod, Callum Wyllie, Darren Ramsay, Andy Murdoch, Marc Dyer, Darren McGill.

On Sunday the Under 15’s dominated from start to finish and could have scored a few more goals. The two they did get were excellent strikes, the first coming in the second thirty minute period. When the Falkirk defence cleared the ball following a corner Lewis Martin strode on to the ball and send an unstoppable thirty yarder into the net.

Tom Walsh added the second in the third period, making space for himself at the edge of the box he shot into the top right hand corner giving the Falkirk keeper no chance.

Rangers Squad:- Liam Kelly (GK), Ryan Sinnamon, Jamie Mills, Greg Pascazio, Robert McLardie, Scott Roberts, Lewis Martin, Tom Walsh, Dylan Dykes, Danny Stoney, Gloady Ntumba, Lewis Morgan, Kjeld McIntyre and a Trialist

Youths Fail To Break Deadlock

Rangers 0 St.Johnstone 0

Rangers again dominated from start to finish but like a few games this season they failed to turn the dominance into goals. Although in this afternoon’s game at Murray Park they did come up against an inspired goalkeeper in St. Johnstone’s Neil Duffy.

His first save came after only seven minutes when he got down to save a Kal Naismith shot from the edge of the box. Three minutes later and Chris Hegarty headed a Gordon Dick free-kick from the right narrowly wide.

Duffy then excelled with just less than twenty minutes gone, a good passing move sent the ball out to Kyle McAusland on the right, Naismith met his cross to head powerfully goalwards and The Saints keeper dived to his right to turn the ball round for a corner. Just after the half-hour Dylan McGeough and Kamil Wiktorski combined to send Gordon Dick towards the byline, Rhys McCabe met the midfielder’s cross but his header flashed across goal and wide.

A minute later and in a rare venture forward Scott Gray played a short free-kick to Rikki McIntosh and his effort was deflected over for a corner. Gaining a bit of confidence from that effort, Gareth Rodger fired a long-range shot just over sixty seconds later.

Seven minutes before the break a long cross from just inside The Saints half found Steven Hetherington coming in late at the back post and Duffy parried it behind at his right hand post. A minute later and the visitor’s missed a glorious chance to take the lead. When Hetherington miscued a cross from the left the ball landed at the feet of Ryan Hutchinson inside the box, with time and the goal at his mercy he shot over.

With that left off Rangers pushed for the opener and were denied by Duffy three times in as many minutes. A great run from McGeough set up a shooting chance for Naismith, the keeper saving to his left. He then advanced from his goal line to block a Max Wright shot as the striker raced through on a headed clearance and right on the whistle he got down to save from McAusland after the full back broke into the box.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 St.Johnstone 0

Rangers continued to dominate and only five minutes after the break Duffy was again in action, this time thwarting Wright with a save low to his left after the Rangers striker got a break of the ball at the edge of the box.  Like the first half the Perth side rarely ventured forward, but on 64 minutes Chris Kane sent the ball out to Jack Clisby on the left and then got on the end of his cross to head just wide.

Five minutes later Gray sent a similar ball out left to Clisby and this time Hegarty had to concede a corner to clear the danger. With just under twenty minutes to go Wiktorski won the ball in midfield and sent Christiano Kisuka down the right, he cut in past the full back on the byline and his effort from a tight angle was blocked by the legs of Duffy.

As the game entered the last quarter of an hour Rangers began to run out of steam and only a Hetherington header from a McGeough cross which Duffy saved comfortably and a long range effort from Wiktorski just wide in the final minute came close to breaking the deadlock.

Full-Time:- Rangers 0 St.Johnstone 0

Rangers:- Wayne Drummond; Kyle McAusland, Chris Hegarty, Darren Cole, Steven Hetherington; Gordon Dick (Anthony Marenghi 72mins), Dylan McGeough, Kamil Wiktorski, Rhys McCabe (Robbie Crawford 46mins); Max Wright (Christiano Kisuka 59 mins), Kal Naismith.

Not Used:- Alan Smith, Ewan McNeil

St.Johnstone:- Neil Duffy; Ryan Sullivan, Chris Moffat, Gareth Rodger, Johnny Lindsay; Scott Gray, Rikki McIntosh, Ryan Hutchinson, Aiden Hendry (Andrew Steeves 76mins); Chris Kane, Jack Clisby.

Not Used:- David Breen, Callum Donnelly

16’s Comfortable Win Over Clyde

Rangers 7 Clyde 2

Eddie May’s under 16’s had a comfortable win over Clyde on a cold clear night at Murray Park last night. The latest in a series of games for an age group that is not included in the development leagues, saw more of the 15’s given some time at this level.

It was a very open start to the game with chances coming thick and fast, the first after only four minutes when Darren McGill’s through ball saw the Clyde keeper rush from his line to save at the feet of Darren Ramsay. A couple of minutes later he denied Ramsay again, saving after the Clyde defence failed to clear a Charlie Telfer corner.

A minute later it was Rangers keeper Liam Kelly in action, making a fine block with his legs when the visitor’s striker was through on goal. Rangers were soon back on attack and Telfer advanced down the right before passing inside to Ramsay who shot just wide.

On ten minutes a ball over the top from Ramsay sent Callum McConnell clear, he was a bit too casual with his finish and the keeper saved. Almost immediately  a slack pass out of defence gave Ramsay a chance and again the keeper  saved his side.

Rangers eventually took the lead on seventeen minutes, Ramsay sent the ball out to McGill on the left and his low cross was fired past the keeper by Andy Murdoch. Two minutes later a passing move involving Murdoch, Telfer and Ramsay looked to have set up McConnell for Rangers second but he shot wide.

The Clyde keeper then continued his personal battle with Ramsay, making a fine save low to his right, after Murdoch and Telfer combined to create the opportunity. Rangers doubled their lead on 24 minutes, Telfer’s corner from the left was deep to the back post and Craig Halkett was in acres of space to nod home.

A minute later and it was three, Halkett’s great run forward from full-back saw him find Murdoch inside who’s pass found Charlie Telfer free inside the box and he shot across the keeper in to the corner. Ten minutes before half-time McConnell missed a great chance, after another run forward he was found by Halkett, a one-two with Ramsay put him through and just when he looked certain to make it four he shot wide.

With half-time approaching Telfer and Ramsay combined to release the overlapping Halkett,  he advanced into the box and with better options inside he elected to shoot and could only find the side netting. Five minutes before the break Rangers grabbed a fourth, Murdoch sent Telfer clear and he rolled the ball across the box where Darren Ramsay applied the finish. In the final minute the visitors had an opportunity from a free-kick at the edge of the box but the effort was just too high and cleared the bar.

Half-Time:- Rangers 4 Clyde 0

The visitors started the half on the offensive and missed a great chance in the opening minute, a cross from the left created the chance but the Clyde player headed straight at keeper Scott McCauley. Straight to the other end and two of the substitutes combined when Paul Kane sent Ciaran Summers clear and the Clyde keeper blocked with his legs.

Summers came even closer a minute later, creating the chance for himself his shot from the edge of the box beat the keeper but came back of the crossbar. On 52 minutes the Bully Wee pulled a goal back, their front two , who had looked lively throughout combined to sent up the chance and the striker sent a looping shot over Macauley and into the net.

Almost immediately they missed another great chance after a move down the left but when the ball came into the box the player shot across goal and wide. Clyde were continuing to create and Macauley had to be alert when their striker sent and neat pass through, the Rangers keeper saving at the Clyde players feet.

Twenty minutes in and Rangers got back on track scoring a fifth to extend their lead, great attacking full-back play on the right from Jack Donaldson saw him hit the byline and his cutback was met first time by Darren Ramsay to give the keeper no chance. A few minutes later and the Clyde keeper made a fine save after his defence failed to  a corner, Jack Baird created space for himself and the keeper blocked at point-blank range.

The visitors capitalised on that break by going straight up the park and scoring their second, the ball was played out to the left and when the cross came into the box it was fired past Macauley. Rangers then restored their four goal advantage on 72 minutes, Murdoch won the ball in midfield and sent Kane clear on the left, his cross was superbly controlled by Darren Ramsay before firing past the keeper.

The Broadwood side then had a narrow escape when an attempted clearance by their defender came back of the post, Telfer’s run and cross on the right creating the danger. Rangers then scored another with ten minutes left on the clock, created on the right by the Ramsay/ Telfer combination and rolled across the box for Ciaran Summers to net.

In the final minutes the Clyde keeper who had an impressive game had a couple of more saves. His best of the match came  when Summers cross was met by Jordan Wilson and he brilliantly saved from point-blank range. And right at the death he dived to his left to deny McConnell after Ramsay created the chance.

Full-Time:- Rangers 7 Clyde 2

Rangers Squad:- Liam Kelly (GK), Scott Macauley (GK), Craig Halkett, Ross Kellock, Jordan Wilson, Jack Baird, Lewis Martin, Charlie Telfer, Andy Murdoch, Callum McConnell, Darren Ramsay, Darren McGill, Jack Donaldson, Ciaran Summers, Paul Kane.

Youths Coast Into Next Round

Rangers 13 Deveronvale 0

It was a quick dash from New St.Mirren Park to see the Rangers youngsters coast into the next round of the SFA Youth Cup. The final score could have been more but for some last-ditch defending and some great saves from Devronvale keeper Blair Tait. The game kick-off ten minutes late so it meant I didn’t miss quite as much as expected and just arrived as Rangers took the lead on nine minutes. Kal Naismith sent Max Wight clear and he ran on to shoot past keeper Tait.

Five minutes later  it was 2-0, good play on the left by Wright saw his pass inside flicked on by Naismith and Rhys McCabe shot home from around the penalty spot. The third goal came less than five minutes later, the ball broke to Wright at the edge of the box and his neat back-heel left Kal Naismith in the clear to shoot past the keeper.

The goals seemed to be coming at five-minute intervals and on 22 minutes McCabe’s pass sent Max Wright clean through, the Rangers striker advanced into the box and rounded keeper Tait before rolling the ball into the empty net. Again it was approximately five minutes that had elapsed when Rangers scored again, a good run and cross by Kyle McAusland on the right saw the Deveronvale defence fail to clear and Kal Naismith shot home from the edge of the box.

The highland side the managed to stem the tide leading up to the break and indeed a nice bit of skill saw Jamie Blackhall create a chance and volley just wide.

Half-Time:- Rangers 5 Deveronvale 0

It took the Ibrox youngsters only three minutes after the break to increase their lead, it was created on the right by Wright and his pass inside was converted by Kal Naismith to complete his hat-trick. Number seven came on the hour mark, Max Wright and Gordon Dick combined on the right and when Wright drove the ball across the six yard box Kal Naismith bundled the ball over the line at the back post.

A few minutes later and Devoronvale almost pulled a goal back, Jordan Cassie’s cross from the right was fumbled by Wayne Drummond and Craig Simpson just failed to force the ball home at the back post being thwarted by a fine Ewan McNeil challenge. The home side when soon back on the attack and scored again with just under twenty minutes remaining, a neat interchange between Ewan McNeil and Robbie Crawford on the right saw Crawford’s pass send Max Wright clear, he beat the defender then crossed for Rhys McCabe head past Tait.

Five minutes later and McCabe and Crawford played a one-two and the edge of the box, Rhys McCabe then went past another defender before firing home. A couple of minutes later and Rangers reached double figures, the visitor’s lost possession inside their own box and Crawford rolled the ball to Max Wright who knocked the ball into the net.

With the Deveronvale youngsters tiring the chances where now coming thick and fast and the next goal came on 81 minutes, a solo run from halfway by Christiano Kisuka saw him go past two defenders, when the third challenged at the edge of the box the ball broke to Robbie Crawford who shot past Tait. With  six minutes to go Max Wright was  sent clear and ran on into the box to grab his fourth.

The final goal came a minute later and it was an unlikely scorer, Ewan McNeil sent in a cross from the right and there was Darren Cole arriving inside to the box to head past Tait, his first for a few years I believe. Despite the scoreline the lads from the highlands did their club proud and I am sure they enjoyed their day out at Murray Park.

Rangers 13 Deveronvale 0

Rangers:- Wayne Drummond; Kyle McAusland (Ewan McNeil 62mins), Chris Hegarty, Darren Cole, Steven Hetherington; Gordon Dick, Dylan McGeough (Robbie Crawford 31mins), Kamil Wiktorski, Rhys McCabe; Max Wright, Kal Naismith (Christiano Kisuka 67mins)

Not Used :- Alan Smith (GK), Andy Mitchell

Deveronvale:- Blair Tait, Calum Wilson, Tom Hutchings, Andy Bain (N0.14 54mins), Liam Forbes; Scott Porter, Jamie Blackhall, Jordan Cassie, Kieran Davidson (Martin Anderson 54mins), Adam Innes; Craig Simpson

Not Used :- Matthew Hancock (GK), Lewis Ingram, Ryan Cameron

Youths Lose Friendly

Rangers 0 Queen Of The South 2

A double from the experienced Sean O’Connor was enough to defeat a Rangers youth side at Murray Park this morning. The game was arranged to provide game time to the under 19 squad who have not been playing recently. A few players were returning from injury and a couple of under 17’s started.

The first real chance came after quarter of an hour and it saw the visitor’s trialist keeper scoop an Anthony Marenghi shot from the edge of the box round the post for a corner. Five minutes later and a great Andy Mitchell challenge diverted Sean O’Connor’s effort from the eighteen yard line. Almost immediately Daniel Orsi cut in from the right past two defenders, his pass into the box gave Steve Degnan a chance but his shot went just wide.

Just after the half-hour Robbie Crawford cut in from the left and passed to Christiano Kisuka with the Queen’s keeper saving his effort diving to his left. A minute Lewis McLeod tried his luck cutting in from the right, his shot just wide of the mark. A couple on minutes before the break Alan Smith had a decent save from Ian McShane’s shot from just outside the penalty area.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Queen Of The South 0

Four minutes after the break a clearance from the keeper was missed by the Rangers defence and Steve Degnan was clean through, only a fine block from Smith denied him. Two minutes later and O’Connor got a flick on to release Degnan, Ryan Smillie looked certain to score from his cutback but a superb challenge by Adam Hunter saved the day. From the resultant corner Sean O’Connor powered his header goalwards  with Robbie Crawford popping up on the goal line to clear.

On 64 minutes Crawford’s shot from the edge of the box and looped up off a defender with the Queen’s keeper looking  under pressure he managed to keep the ball out. From his clearance the substitute No 5, played in Sean O’Connor who shot past Smith.

Five minute later and it was 2-0, a ball in from the left was helped on by Ryan Smillie to Sean O’Connor who beat Smith for a second time. Before time-up Michael Noble had a long range effort just over and Andy Mitchell had the ball in the net, but was just offside.

Full-Time:- Rangers 0 Queen Of The South 2

Rangers:- Alan Smith; Ewan McNeil, Adam Hunter, Michael Noble, Robbie McIntyre (Alex ???? 68mins); Lewis McLeod (Matty Clarke 68mins), Andy Mitchell, Eddie ????, Robbie Crawford; Anthony Marenghi, Christiano Kisuka.

Queen Of The South:- Trilaist (GK); Adam Dougan, Stephen Black, James McGowan (Ian Reid 46mins); Daniel Orsi, Ian McShane (Justin Begg 70mins), Kevin Holt (Justin Nichol 70mins), Ryan Smillie (Trialist No 16 70mins), Daniel Carmichael; Steve Degnan (Trialist No.5 55mins), Sean O’Connor