17’s Play At Ibrox

Rangers 2 Dunfermline Athletic 1

Tonight it was the turn of the Under 17’s to turn out at Ibrox and again the opponents were Dunfermline Athletic. The Ibrox youngsters almost were made to pay for missed chances when Dunfermline scored with a late penalty.

Alan Kernaghan’s side got off to a great start taking the lead in the ninth minute, Fraser Aird’s cross from the right was deflected and when it bounced inside the box Omar Bogle was on hand to nod over keeper Ian McTurk. Two minutes later Aird was again the architect with a run and cross that found Marc Dyer at the back post and his net bound shot was blocked by Millen.

Just after the quarter-hour Dunfermline came with inches of scoring, a corner was cleared out of the penalty area only as far as Ross Dickson who crashed a shot of the crossbar with Liam Kelly beaten. Two minutes later and it was Rangers who were denied by the woodwork, Aird’s attempted through ball was deflected into the path of Dyer and his shot from the left hand angle of the box went across the keeper and rebounded from the post.

On 24 minutes good play on the left by Darren Ramsay set up a chance for Bogle inside the box with Craig McManus clearing off the line. From the resultant corner Bogle’s header was destined for the net until Millen popped up to clear from under is own crossbar.

Just before the half-hour Dyer sent Ramsay down the left, his cross was long and Aird returned it into the box where Bogle’s header was saved by McTurk.

Half-Time Rangers 1 Dunfermline Athletic 0

The first chance of the second half came eight minutes in, Matty Clarke broke down the left and played the ball to Dyer who nutmegged the full-back and cut the ball back to Ramsay who shot just wide. Just on the hour Gregor Fotheringham won the ball and played it Bogle who sent Dyer through but substitute keeper Mayne was quick off his line to block.

A minute later Rangers doubled their lead, a Liam Kelly clearance sent Omar Bogle clear and as he turned inside the defender his was brough down for a clear penalty, he stepped up to smash the ball past Mayne. The visitors almost replied straight away, Tony Byrne played in Fraser Moncrieff who’s shot hit Kelly’s right-hand post with Andy Murdoch on hand to clear.

Midway through the half Bogle sent Ramsay clear on the left and his low cross found Freddy Espling who’s shot was saved by Mayne at point-blank range. With seven minutes left The Pars pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, Tony Byrne played the ball through to Duncan who was bundled over inside the box and Millen stepped up to beat Sam George from the spot.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Dunfermline 1

Rangers Squad:- Liam Kelly(GK), Sam George (GK), Andy Murdoch, Matty Clarke, Scott Runsby, Jordan Wilson, Gregor Fotheringham, Adel Gafaiti, Darren Ramsay, Omar Bogle, Fraser Aird, Marc Dyer, Freddy Espling, Sam McMahon, Lee Cochrane, Callum Wyllie, Callum Gallagher, George Scott.

Dunfermline Athletic:- Ian McTurk (GK), Mayne (GK), Craig McManus, Reece Cochrane, Millen, Ross Dickson, Ross Drummond, Tony Byrne, Frser Moncrieff, Gordon Davison, Boyne, Liam Mercer, Jordan Glennie, Schiavone, Kyle Brown, Duncan.