Development Teams Round Up

This weekend’s staggered kick-off times gave me the chance to take in a few of the the development teams games against Queen’s Park. First up was the Under 13’s at Lesser Hampden in the morning followed by the Under 14’s in the afternoon.

Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 2

Ranger Under 13’s got off to the perfect start with a goal in the opening minute, Kyle McAllister swung in a corner from the left and Sam Jamieson was on the end of it to head past the Queen’s Park keeper. The home keeper was soon in action again with a fine double save after five minutes, first he got down to save from Sam Jamieson and reacted quickly to save at the feet of Ross Brown.

Rangers doubled their lead on ten minutes, Ross Brown winning the ball before setting up Sam Jamieson to shoot past the keeper from just inside the box. The next chance came along ten minutes later some good play on the left from Kyle McAllister saw him move the ball inside to Sam Jamieson who setup Kieran Moore who was denied a goal by a fine challenge from the home defender.

Four minutes later Adam Baird played the ball forward to Jordan Houston on the right who showed some great wing play and his cross was only just missed by Sam Jamieson as it flashed across the six yard box. The home side then had a chance two minutes into the second period, after a scramble in front of the Rangers goal keeper Kieran Wright eventually gathered.

Five minutes later the home side got back into the game via the penalty spot, they broke down the right and into the penalty area where Wallace Duffy fouled the attacker and the penalty was duly converted. Rangers then put a flowing move together, Sam Jamieson played a one-two with Zack Rudden, then passed to Kyle McAllister who setup the chance for Ross Brown which was saved.

At the start of the third period the home side broke down the right and created a chance when the ball was sent into the box and Kieran Wright produced a fine save. At the other the home keeper was not to be out done and he denied Ross Brown with a fine save after Kyle McAllister and Sam Jamieson combined to create the chance.

Rangers came close again, Jordan Houston sent Kieran Moore down the left and from his cutback Sam Jamieson’s shot struck the outside of the keeper’s right hand post. For a long period of the match Rangers had four Under 12’s on the pitch, Jordan Houston who plays at the this level each week was joined by Stephen Kelly, Jack Thompson and Zack Rudden.

Full-Time:- Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 2

Rangers Squad:- Kieran Wright (GK), Adam Baird, Euan McMillan, Aidan Wilson, Wallace Duffy, Lewis Ferguson, Kieran Moore, Jordan Houston, Sam Jamieson, Ross Brown, Kyle McAllister, Jack Thompson, Stephen Kelly, Zack Rudden.

Now it was on to the under 14’s game which had an afternoon kick-off, the Rangers squad included four Under 13’s Jason Krones, Jamie Barjonas, Grant Nelson and Liam Burt.

Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 5

Rangers took the lead with a quick break after five minutes, Robbie McCrorie came from his line to gather from a corner and sent Gary McGriesh down the right, he went past the full-back and hit the byline, his low cross gave John Cunningham the simple task of netting at the back post. The home side hit back on the quarter-hour mark and from the shot from the right hand side of the box Robbie McCrorie made a fine save diving to his right and was able to gather at the second attempt.

Two minutes later the Rangers keeper was to produce an even better save, another attack down the right and first time effort from the cutback saw Robbie McCrorie save low to his left turning the ball wide for a corner. Rangers replied when Ross Lyon switched the ball out to Gary McGriesh on the right and the home keeper did well to cut out his low cross. Ross McCrorie was in action again just before the end of the first period, Queen’s Park broke through the middle and the Rangers keeper stood tall to block the shot.

Rangers increased their lead at the start of the second period, Ross Lyon sent the ball to John Cunningham on the right and when he played it back to Ross Lyon he shot high into the net from the edge of the box. A minute later Grant Nelson passed inside to Ross Lyon and this time his shot clipped the bar on the way over.

On fifty minutes Jamie Barjonas and Ross Lyon combined to sent John Cunningham through and this time it was the home keeper that stood tall to block. The home side were still in the match and Robbie McCrorie was tested from distance which he saved comfortably. Rangers edged further ahead with around thirteen minutes remaining, Josh Jeffries and Lewis White combined on the left and from Josh Jeffries low cross John Cunningham netted from close range.

Six minutes later Rangers scored again, Josh Jeffries picked out the run from Ross Lyon to send him clear and the midfielder carried on into the box to coolly beat the keeper. With five minutes left of the clock Queen’s Park got the consolation goal they deserved, from a break through the middle Robbie McCrorie made a fine save from the initial effort but was helpless as the rebound was knocked over him an into the net.

Back to the other end and the home side were struggling to clear a corner, eventually Reagan Milne shot from close range and the ball was cleared from the line for a corner. From the corner from the right John Mitchell rose to head into the net aqnd complete the scdoring.

Full-Time:- Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 5

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie (GK), Ross McCrorie, Lewis White, Jason Krones, Reagan Milne, Jamie Brandon, Garry McGreish, Ross Lyon, John Cunningham, Jamie Barjonas, Grant Nelson, Josh Jeffries, John Mitchell, Liam Burt

Footnote:- Rangers Under 15’s overcame their Queen’s Park counterparts 6-0 on Friday night, the clubs meet at Under 17’s on Monday night at Murray Park, Kick-Off 7pm.