Rangers Win Five Goal Thriller

Rangers 3 Celtic 2

Rangers Under 17’s retained the Glasgow Cup in a five goal thriller at Firhill tonight. A Ryan Hardie strike and a Junior Ogen double edged out a Paul McMullen double to record a deserved win.

Rangers were first to threaten after eight minutes when  Jordan Hart failed to collect Tom Walsh’s free-kick from the left, Jamie Mills headed towards the net only to see a Celtic defender clear from the line. Celtic capitalised on that let off by taking the lead from the penalty spot just before the quarter-hour, David Brownlie was caught in possession by Paul McMullen just outside the left side of the penalty area, as the Celtic striker made his way into the box he was tugged and by the Rangers defender and he made sure he went down to get the penalty, stepping up to beat Liam Kelly from the spot.

Rangers equalised on twenty-seven minutes when Dylan Dykes played a ball over the top of the Celtic defence and a superb first touch took Ryan Hardie clear of Fiacre Kelleher and despite a tug from the defender he kept his cool to fire past Jordan Hart. Four minutes later Rangers took the lead, Ryan Hardie fed Junior Ogen at the edge of the box,  he burst past two defenders and calmly slotted the ball past Jordan Hart.

A few minutes later Rangers suffered a blow when Danny Stoney had to be replaced through injury with Adam Wilson coming on as a substitute. Rangers then came close after good work down the right by Tom Walsh, Jordan Hart fumbled his low cross and was fortunate to knock the ball against Ryan Hardie and wide of his left hand post.

Rangers came closer still six minutes before the break, Ryan Hardie held off Fiacre Kelleher in a race for a long ball, he lobbed the ball over the advancing Jordan Hart, but in the race to the ball as it approached the net Fiacre Kelleher got back to clear. In first half injury time Joe Thompson passed inside to Callum Waters who shot from distance which Liam Kelly held comfortably under his crossbar.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Celtic 1

Two minutes after the break only a fine Jordan Hart save prevented Rangers increasing their lead, Adam Wilson’s passed to Ryan Hardie on the left side of the penalty area, a superb turn left Fiacre Kelleher sitting on the turf and his shot looked destined for the net until Jordan Hart dived to his right to turn the ball wide of his near post. The goal was only delayed until the sixty minute mark approached, Ryan Hardie chased the ball towards the byline on the left, turned past Fiacre Kelleher before crossing for Junior Ogen to beat Jordan Hart with a superb controlled volley.

As the game approach the final fifteen minutes Celtic reduced the deficit, Liam Henderson was allowed time and space to pick out Paul McMullen on the edge of the box and he curled a superb shot into the top right hand corner. Three minute later Paul McMullen cut in from the right before setting up Aidan Nesbitt at the edge of the box and his shot bounced clear off Liam Kelly’s left hand post.

Rangers replied immediately with Tom Walsh breaking forward before feeding Junior Ogen on the right side of the box, he stepped inside a defender before forcing Jordan Hart to dive to his right and turn the ball round the post. Rangers where to see out time comfortably and it was the Ibrox youngsters that came close to scoring a couple of minutes into injury time, when the ball was cleared from the Celtic box Steven Chatterton headed it back where Ryan Hardie collected and headed to the byline on the left, his attempted cross was deflected over Jordan Hart and bounced off the face of the crossbar.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Celtic 2

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon, Greg Pascazio, David Brownlie, Jamie Mills; Junior Ogen, Michael Mossie (Ben Reilly 75mins), Dylan Dykes, Tom Walsh (Steven Chatterton 88mins); Danny Stoney (Adam Wilson 34mins); Ryan Hardie.

Not Used:- Jamie Wilson (Gk), Lewis Morgan.

Celtic:- Jordan Hart; Glen Eadie (Gareth McDonagh 89mins), Fiacre Kelleher, Mark Barrowman (Connor McLaren 66mins), Callum Waters; Aidan Nesbitt, Conor McManus, Liam Henderson, Joe Thompson; Paul McMullen, Luke Donnelly (Ciaran Lafferty 66mins).

Not Used:- Colin McCabe (Gk), Jack Breslin, Aidan McIlduff, Ryan Caird.

Comfortable Win For 14’s

Ayr United 1 Rangers 7

With the u17’s playing in  the Glasgow Cup Final tomorrow and the U13’s in a tournament in Italy this weekend the only youth game today was the U14’s fixture against Ayr United at Prestwick Academy. It was a comfortable win for the Rangers youngsters despite only having a squad of eleven players including two trialists.

Rangers took the lead after seven minutes from the penalty spot, Jay Willis broke forward and his pass inside the right back found the overlapping Kieran Laing breaking into the box where he was brought down, the Rangers full-back stepped up to convert from the spot.   Just before the quarter-hour Liam Burt’s pass through the middle saw Kieran Pirrie out pace the defence to round the keeper and roll the ball into the net.

The home side tried to reply with an attack of the left side of the box and the effort was blocked by the legs of Rangers keeper Kieran Wright. As the end of the first period approach Kieran Pirrie headed Jack Frew’s cross from the right just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Liam Burt was then defied by a fine save from the home keeper after a one-two with Kieran Pirrie freed him inside the box.

Five minutes into the second period an audacious attempt from Liam Burt twenty-five yards out and wide of the right touchline beat the keeper but rebounded from the crossbar. A minute later Jay Willis dispossesed a defender and forced the keeper into a fine save before cracking the rebound off the left hand post.

Ayr were to capitalise on these let offs by pulling a goal back, their midfielder broke forward before finding the bottom corner from just outside the box. The woodwork then came to the home side’s rescue again, Jay Willis cutting in from the left and going for goal as he was challenged with the shot bouncing off the crossbar.

As the period entered the final five minutes Jay Willis burst past two defenders into the box before prodding the ball past the keeper. A corner from the right found its way to Liam Burt at the back post with the keeper blocking the shot with his legs. Just before the end of the period Kieran Laing won the ball of the left side of the penalty area, and stepped forward to fire past the keeper.

An early home attack at the start of the third period was thwarted when Kieran Wright saved low to his left. The home keeper was then in action when Kieran Pirrie laid the ball back into the path of Liam Burt, with the keeper saving to his right.

Rangers then scored a fifth from distance, Lewis Ferguson firing past the keeper from around twenty-five yards. Ayr tried to get back into the game and following an attack down the left Kieran Wright had to be quick from his line to block.

Liam Burt then tested the keeper at the other end cutting in from the left and forcing the keeper to dive to his left to save. Rangers next goal came direct from a corner kick from the right Jay Willis corner eluding everyone and finding the net. The final minute saw the final goal, created by Kieran Pirrie down the right his low cross was knocked into the net by Jay Willis to complete his hat-trick.

Full-Time:- Ayr United 1 Rangers 7

Rangers:- Kieran Wright; Jack Frew, Dean Picken, Aidan Wilson, Kieran Laing; Ben Andoh, Liam Burt, Lewis Ferguson, Ross Smith, Jay Willis; Kieran Pirrie.

17’s Hit Double Figures

Rangers 10 Airdrie 1

Both clubs agreed that tonight’s Reserve League Cup tie would be an U17’s fixture, Rangers seen it as a warm up for the side before Monday’s Glasgow Cup final. With the Ibrox youngsters hitting double figures, including six from Ryan Hardie, I don’t think either side would have taken much from this game.

Rangers took the lead after only four minutes, David Brownlie’s long ball was controlled by Ryan Hardie as he moved into the box and rounded the keeper to roll the ball into the net. Only a further three minutes had passed when Rangers increased their lead, it was created by Junior Ogen coming in from the right before finding Tom Walsh inside the box and he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper.

Rangers next attempt on goal came after ten minutes, from a free-kick on the right side of the box Tom Walsh brought out a save from the Airdrie keeper diving to his left. Two minutes later the visitor’s had a chance to reduce the deficit, when a free-kick from the right broke to the Airdrie player just outside the six yard box his shot was weak and Liam Kelly saved comfortably low to his left.

On the quarter-hour mark Rangers scored again, David Brownlie headed Dylan Dykes corner from the right goalwards and Ryan Hardie positioned just in front of the keeper glanced a header into the net. A great piece of skill from Ryan Hardie at the edge of the box created a chance put his shot was just too high.

On twenty minutes the Airdrie central defence failed to deal with a ball right through the middle and Ryan Hardie ran through to slot the ball past the keeper. A minute later Danny Stoney waltzed through the middle of the Airdrie defence leaving three defenders in his wake to score the fifth.

The sixth goal came on twenty-four minutes when Ryan Hardie turned provider, progressing down the right before passing inside to Junior Ogen to shoot past the keeper. Rangers looked like scoring with every attack and the next goal arrived barely sixty seconds later, Danny Stoney supplying the pass after a run down the right, which Ryan Hardie converted.

Credit to Airdrie, just before the half-hour mark they pulled a goal back, a corner from the right was headed back across goal and knocked past Liam Kelly from inside the six yard box. A few minutes later and the visitors almost scored again, when the ball came in from the right the effort on goal was deflected just wide of Liam Kelly’s right hand post.

Four minutes before the break a superb turn from Ryan Hardie took him clear of the defence, as he approached the penalty area he lobbed the keeper only see the ball rebound clear off the crossbar.

Half-Time:- Rangers 7 Airdrie 1

Five minutes after the break Danny Stoney set off on a run through the middle, this time timing his pass to release Ryan Hardie to beat the keeper from just beyond the penalty spot. Three minutes later the same players combined to breach the Airdrie defence again, Danny Stoney’s pass allowing Ryan Hardie to find the net with a similar finish.

The visitor’s kept going and following an attack and cross from the left the header at goal was only just wide of Liam Kelly’s right hand post. Midway through the half another Airdrie attack, this time down the right, saw the ball break to their attacker when the cross came in but he fired into the side netting.

The scoring was complete a couple of minutes from time, Steven Chatterton and Danny Stoney combined to release Ben Reilly on the right, with the keeper anticipating a cross he found the net at the near post from a tight angle.

Full-Time:- Rangers 10 Airdrie 1

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Steven Chatterton, Greg Pascazio, David Brownlie, Adam Wilson; Junior Ogen, Michael Mossie (Ben Reilly HT), Dylan Dykes (Kris Gibson 67mins); Tom Walsh (Lewis Morgan HT); Danny Stoney; Ryan Hardie.

Not Used:- Jamie Wilson

Weekend Youth Round Up

A busy weekend with two games on Friday night and three games on Sunday meant there was plenty youth football to watch this week.Friday’s games saw the U17’s away to Motherwell but I decided to take in the U15’s friendly against Airdrie at Murray Park.

Rangers 4 Airdrie 3

The Rangers squad included four trialists and five under 14’s and they came close to taking an early lead when the visitor’s keeper tipped Daniel Bonner’s header over. Airdrie replied from a free-kick at the edge of the box with the first of Rangers trialist keepers getting down to his left to save.

The next effort on goal came when Jamie Brandon broke forward from midfield with the keeper saving low to his left. Max Ashmore then sent the Trialist No.2 down the right from his low cross Daniel Bonner shot over. From another attack down the right Jack Gilmour’s cross  was headed clear of the penalty area where Max Ashmore gathered and shot just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers took the lead when the Trialist No. 11 stepped inside and shot for goal, the Airdrie keeper dived to his left to parry but Daniel Bonner was on hand to knock the ball into the net.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Airdrie 0

A brilliant save from the second trialist keeper kept Rangers lead intact, from an attack on the right side of the box the shot looked net bound until the keeper dived to his left to turn the ball wide. Rangers responded by doubling their lead, Jamie Barjonas’s pass into the box saw Daniel Bonner turn a defender before slotting past the keeper.

A slack pass across the their own box saw Rangers gift a chance to the visitor’s which was duly taken and Airdie pulled a goal back. From a free-kick at the left side of the penalty area the visitor’s almost drew level, the strike rebounding from the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

A solo run from Jamie Barjonas saw him slalom through the Airdrie defence to find the net via the right hand post. A ball over the top of the Rangers defence setup a race between the Airdrie striker and the Rangers keeper as he came of his line. The striker got there first and headed towards the goal, where his strike partner won the race with Ross Lyon to knock the ball into the net.

The equaliser came with a neat passing move that cut through the Rangers defence and produced a one on one with the keeper which was converted. The winning goal came when Sam Jamieson and Grant Nelson exchanged passes on the right, Sam Jamieson’s cross broke to Jamie Barjonas and his volley from the edge of the box found the bottom corner.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Airdrie 3

Rangers Squad;- Trialist No 1 (Gk), Trialist No 21 (Gk), Trialist No 2, John Cunningham, Aidan Wilson, Ross Lyon, Max Ashmore, Jack Gilmour, Jamie Brandon, Daniel Bonner, Reece Duncan, Trialist N0 11, Jamie Barjonas, Grant Nelson, Sam Jamieson, Liam Burt.

Footnote:- Rangers U17’s lost 4-0 to Motherwell at Braidhurst High School.

Rangers Squad:- Jamie Wilson (Gk), Robbie McCrorie (Gk), Steven Chatterton, Ross McCrorie, David Brownlie, Greg Pascazio, Michael Mossie, Ben Reilly, Kris Gibson, Ryan Hardie, Junior Ogen, Adam Wilson, Lewis Morgan, Gloady Ntumba, Josh Jeffries.

Kick-off times on Sunday meant I could take in the U15’s game at Dalziel Park Sports Fields in the morning then head over to Murray Park for the afternoon where the U13’s and U14’s where playing.

Motherwell 0 Rangers 4

Rangers U15’s made the early running and took the lead after seven minutes, initially Josh Jeffries free–kick from close to the byline on the right found the head of Ross McCrorie but his effort was deflected wide of the left hand post. Josh Jeffries corner from the right was low and the Motherwell keeper dived to cut out the cross but failed to hold on and Daniel Bonner drove through a crowded six yard box and into the net.

Three minutes later Rangers doubled their lead from  another corner, it came when the Trialist No.11 cut in from the left and his effort was turned round the left hand post by the Motherwell keeper. Josh Jeffries played the corner short to Jamie Barjonas and when he returned the pass Josh Jeffries cross was headed past the keeper by Trialist N0.11.

The home side tried to reply and created a shooting chance on the right side of Rangers box but the effort was wide of the far post. Almost immediately Rangers were back on attack, Josh Jeffries pass through the inside left channel saw Daniel Bonner hold off a defender before forcing a save from the keeper low to his left.

A slack pass across the ‘Well defence gave the Trialist No 11 a shooting chance but he was just wide of the keeper’s left hand post. From a throw just outside the Rangers area on the left the home side created a chance and Robbie McCrorie had to look sharp to save at the Motherwell player’s feet.

The Trialist No.11 created a chance after taking on two defenders coming in from the left before feeding Daniel Bonner but the striker’s shot was straight at the keeper. A one-two on the left sent the Motherwell midfielder to the byline on the left and when the ball was played across the six-yard box a goal looked certain until Robbie McCrorie produced a stunning point-blank safe to divert the ball wide of his left hand post.

Just after the half-hour Ross Lyon’s throw-in from close to the byline on the right was flicked on by the Trialist No. 8 and Daniel Bonner’s header was just too high. The third goal was only delayed a couple of minutes, Josh Jeffries corner from the left was headed goalwards by Ross McCrorie the keeper did well to block but the Rangers centre-back followed up to blast the ball into the net.

The home side the missed a glorious chance to reduce the deficit, created on the left, Robbie McCrorie game off his line to narrow the angle, when the ball was played across goal the incoming ‘Well player incredibly knocked the ball wide of the far post with thwegoal gaping. Back at the other end the Trialist No.8 won the ball at the edge of the Motherwell box and fed Jamie Barjonas but he shot over.

Just before the break and great first touch from Daniel Bonner from a Robbie McCrorie clearance took him through on goal but his effort was wide of the left hand post.

Half-Time:- Motherwell 0 Rangers 3

Rangers continued to look the most likely to net the next goal and two minutes in Josh Jeffries cut in from the right with the home keeper tipping his effort over. When Max Ashmore headed a clearance back towards the Motherwell goal it put Daniel Bonner clear with the home keeper saving low to his right.

The home side’s first threatening attack of the second-half came down the right, Robbie McCrorie parried the initial shot and the ‘Well player following up shot into the side netting. Just after the midway point of the half some good play on the left by Reece Duncan seemed to have set up another goal when his cut back found Max Ashmore free on the penalty spot but he shot wide of the right hand post.

The fourth goal came as the game entered the final ten minutes, Josh Jeffries drove forward and sent a superb pass inside the right full-back, Jamie Brandon’s low cross was parried by the keeper but Reece Duncan was well placed to bundle the ball into the net. A deflected shot from just outside the box looked like producing a consolation goal, until Robbie McCrorie managed to change direction and save low to his left.

The final chance came from a Josh Jeffries free-kick from the right which was volleyed goalwards by Reece Duncan with the home keeper diving to his left to turn the ball wide.

Full-Time:- Motherwell 0 Rangers 4

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie (Gk), Ross Lyon, John Cunningham, Ross McCrorie, Reagan Milne, Max Ashmore, Jamie Barjonas, Trialist N0.8, Daniel Bonner, Josh Jeffries, Trialist No.11, Jamie Brandon, Reece Duncan, Jack Gilmour.

Rangers 3 Motherwell 0

My usual rule when games clash is that I take in the older age group, so it was across to Murray Park to watch the U14’s. In the opening minutes it took a superb Kieran Wright point-blank save to prevent Motherwell taking the lead.

Rangers first effort came when Kieran Laing broke down the left, his cross was laid back into Liam Burt’s path by Ben Andoh with the keeper saving low to his left. A good passing move saw Motherwell cut through the centre of the Rangers defence and it took another fine Kieran Wright save, this time low to his left, to deny the visitor’s.

In the closing minutes of the period Grant Nelson and Sam Jamieson exchanged passes at the edge of the box with the keeper saving low to his left. There was still time for Rangers to take the lead, Sam Jamieson through on the right side of the box, he squared to Grant Nelson the keeper brilliantly blocked his initial shot but was helpless as he knocked in the rebound.

A few minutes into the second period a superb passing move carved out a chance, Ross Smith won the ball and passed to Blair Docherty who moved it on to Sam Jamieson, he then exchanged passes with Ross Smith before forcing a save from the keeper low to his right. A Jack Frew pass through the inside right channel  created another opening, with the keeper saving bravely at the feet of Kieran Pirrie.

Motherwell threatened at the start of the third period with an attack on the left side of the penalty area, the danger being snuffed out by a superb Kieran Laing challenge. A Sam Jamieson pass created a chance for Liam Burt on the left side of the box that the keeper saved at his near post at the expense of a corner.

Liam Burt chased a ball over the top of the defence as he went wide of the keeper he appeared to be tripped but the referee waved played on, he got back to his feet and shot for goal which the keeper blocked. Just after the turn around in the final period Rangers doubled their lead, Grant Nelson’s corner from the left was controlled at the back post by Liam Burt, his low ball driven across the six yard box was forced over the line by Aidan Wilson.

The Motherwell keeper showed he was alert to race from his box to deny Kieran Pirrie after he was released by a Sam Jamieson pass. In the final minute Rangers completed the scoring from a Liam Burt solo effort, going past two defenders before shooting into the far corner from just inside the left side of the penalty area.

Rangers Squad:- Kieran Wright (Gk), Jack Frew, Kieran Laing, Jordan Houston, Aidan Wilson, Blair Docherty, Ben Andoh, Dean Picken, Sam Jamieson, Liam Burt, Grant Nelson, Kieran Pirrie, Ross Smith.

Footnote:- Rangers U13’s beat their Motherwell counterparts 6-0 with goals from Matthew Shiels 2, Stephen Kelly, Dylan Patterson, Zak Rudden & Cammy Palmer.

Jimmy Johnstone Academy At Murray Park

Rangers U14’s 2 Jimmy Johnstone Academy 1

A mainly  U14’s Rangers side took on Jimmy Johnstone Academy U15’s side at Murray Park tonight. The squad was bolstered by U15 players Jack Gimour and Reece Duncan and also included U13 player Jordan Houston who performed as well as anyone on the pitch against a team that included u16 players.

Rangers took an early lead after only two minutes, Jamie Barjonas passed to Ben Andoh on the right side of the penalty area and his pass across the box gave Sam Jamieson a simple tap in. The boys club side replied immediately and their player was tripped as he broke into the left side of the box for a clear penalty which was duly converted.

Any thoughts that the early goals signalled a goal feast was unfounded, chances were few and far between and the first period ended all square.

The second period followed a similar vein, with goalmouth incidents rare. Sam Jamieson did break forward although his shot was straight at the keeper who held on comfortably. Rangers then survived a scare when a free-kick from the halfway line wasn’t gathered by Kieran Wright when the ball was fired goalwards  Jordan Houston was well placed to head off the line.

With no further scoring both sides went into the final period looking for a winner. Rangers were first to threaten with a good run down the right from Liam Burt before he passing inside to Jamie Barjones who shot wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers the took the lead when Liam Burt’s low corner from the left was volleyed goalwards by Jamie Barjonas and the ball found the bottom corner of the net. The Academy came close to pulling level, from a free-kick on the left the resultant header  was only just wide of Kieran Wright’s left hand post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Jimmy Johnstone Academy 1

Rangers Squad:- Kieran Wright (Gk), Jack Frew, Jack Gilmour, Jordan Houston, Aidan Wilson, Jamie Barjonas, Ben Andoh, Liam Burt, Sam Jamieson, Grant Nelson, Reece Duncan, Kieran Laing, Kieran Pirrie.

Development Fixtures Against Accies

This weekend saw Rangers youth teams take on Hamilton Accies in their Development League Fixtures, two games  took place at Murray Park on Friday night and two this afternoon at Ravenscraig. I was unable to make it along on Friday night to watch any of the games but have the result of the under 15’s clash and brief details of what was an Under 18’s fixture between the sides.

In the U15’s game Rangers won 3-2 and in the U18 game Rangers won 5-0 with goals from Craig Halkett, Charlie Telfer & Ryan Hardie hat-trick.

Rangers:- Liam Kelly (Jamie Wilson), Craig Halkett, Jamie Mills, David Brownlie (Steven Chatterton), Greg Pascazio, Junior Ogen, Travis Gregory (Ben Reilly), Dylan Dykes, Ryan Hardie (Lewis Morgan), Charlie Telfer, Darren Ramsay (Adam Wilson)

Sunday afternoon meant I could take in both the U13’s and U14’s games at Ravenscraig, the windy conditions meaning free-flowing football would be difficult. The earlier game marked my 100th game of the season and it was the U14’s game that kicked off first.

Hamilton Accies 1 Rangers 1

As the quarter-hour mark approached Rangers came close to taking the lead, Grant Nelson swung in a corner from the left and Aidan Wilson rose to head against the crossbar. The home side took the lead eight minutes later, following an attack down the right the ball was passed inside to Craig Johnston and from what looked an offside position he ran through to shoot past Kieran Wright.

As the period enter its final minute Accies missed a great chance to increase their lead, a through ball sent Craig Johnston clear but this time he was denied by Kieran Wright who came off his line to block. Five minutes into the second period Blair Docherty won the ball and passed up to Kieran Pirrie at the edge of the box he passed inside to Sam Jamieson but his shot was just too high.

Ten minutes before the end of the second period Rangers equalised, a great run and reverse pass from Jamie Barjonas released Sam Jamieson to shoot past the keeper. At the start of the second period Connor Scullion and Craig Johnston exchanged passes as the attacked down the left with the former shooting just over.

A minute later Rangers were unlucky not to take the lead, Grant Nelson cut in from the left and his superb twenty-five yard shot crashed off the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Hamilton went straight to the other end looked certain to score when the ball broke for Craig Johnston deep inside the box but he shot wide of Kieran Wright’s left hand post.

Rangers came closest to grabbing a winner when Aidan Wilson challenged at the back post for Sam Jamieson’s corner from the right and the ball was cleared off the line.

Full-Time:- Hamilton Accies 1 Rangers 1

Hamilton Squad:- Ryan Craig (Gk), Tony Sharkey (Gk), Jamie Boyd, Rico Quitgongo, Cammy Stewart, Danny O’Halloran, Scott Grainger, Lewis Archer, Josh O’Hare, Craig Johnston, Morgan Smith, Connor Scullion, Lewis McLynn, Brian Martin, Luke Clarke, Alan Dunlop.

Rangers Squad:- Kieran Wright(Gk), Jordan Houston, Kieran Laing, Aidan Wilson, Scott Gray, Blair Docherty, Jamie Barjonas, Liam Burt, Kieran Pirrie, Sam Jamieson, Grant Nelson, Ben Andoh, Lewis Ferguson, Jack Frew.

Hamilton Accies 3 Rangers 1

Next up was the U13’s clash and the home side took an early lead, Kieran Campbell latching onto to a ball through the centre to shoot past Darren Montgomery. Rangers equalised before the end of the period, Carlo Pigniatello passed inside to Stephen Kelly and his pass split the home defence to send Zak Rudden clear to round the keeper and roll the ball into the net.

Accies got back in front in the second period, the Rangers defence was hesitant in dealing with a free-kick from the right and it landed at the feet of the unmarked Kieran Campbell at the back post who shot past Darren Montgomery. The home side threatened again at the start of the third period, Oliver Tobin broke forward and passed to Kieran Campbell at the edge of the box, he laid it back into the path of Aiden Lafferty who’s shot was saved by Darren Montgomery low to his left.

Rangers came close when Cammy Palmer’s corner from the left was headed goalwards by Lewis Mayo but the Accies defender was well placed to clear off the line. A ball over the top of the Rangers defence sent Kieran Campbell through and he knocked the ball past the advancing Darren Montgomery but Lewis Mayo got back to clear.

A Kieran Campbell pass then sent Aiden Lafferty through with Darren Montgomery coming from his area to block, the referee adjudged he had handled and Aidan Lafferty stepped up to send the free-kick wide of Darren Montgomery’s left hand post. The home side made the game safe in the dying minutes, a free-kick from the right again saw hesitancy in the Rangers defence, this time between defence and keeper allowing Lewis Smith to get between the two and knock the ball into the net.

Full-Time:- Hamilton Accies 3 Rangers 1

Hamilton Accies Squad:- Ross Connelly (Gk), John McCracken (Gk), Oliver Tobin, Leon McCann, Tyler Tobin, Max Potter, Martin Beattie, Stephen Copeland, Gary Beckett, Kieran Campbell, Aidan Connelly, Aidan Lafferty, Laurie Devine, Lewis Smith, Ross McKenzie, Tony McGuire, Matthew Innes.

Rangers Squad:- Darren Montgomery (Gk), Michael Hewitt, Aaron Reid, Rhys Breen, Lewis Mayo, Cammy Palmer, Jack Pow, Scott Blacklaw, Zak Rudden, Stephen Kelly, Carlo Pigniatello, Matthew Shiels, Dylan Patterson, Scott Gray.

Rangers Kids Take On English Academys

On Tuesday 2nd April a few of the young Rangers sides travelled to the Newcastle United academy for games against the English side’s youngsters. The U9’s through to U11’s games were 8-a-side, while the U15’s was a conventional 11-a-side game.

Under 9’s

Newcastle United 1 Rangers 10

Rangers Squad:- Leon King. McKenzie Carse, Rocco Rowan, Murray Johnston, Ben Stanway, Max Cullen, Kerr McQuillan, Logan Dunachie, Adedire Medube, Sam Lovie

Goalscorers were as follows:- Adedire Medube (4), Leon King, McKenzie Carse, Max Cullen, Sam Lovie, Ben Stanway & Rocco Rowan.

Under 10’s

Newcastle United 1 Rangers 10

Rangers Squad:- Grant Thackeray, Aaron Miller, Liam Morrison, Lewis Robertson, Robbie Fraser, Adam Devine, Alex Lowrie, Aaron Lyle, Ross Taylor, Rhys Caves, Reagan Aiken, Kai Kilpatrick, Lorenzo Giovanazzi.

Goalscorers were as follows:- Aaron Lyle (4), Robbie Fraser (2), Alex Lowrie, Kai Kilpatrick & Lewis Robertson

Under 11’s

Newcastle United 1 Rangers 4

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Budinauckas, Ciaran Dickson, Josh Henderson, Kai Kennedy, KyleMcLelland, Lewis Jameson, Luke Scullion, Lyle Carothers, Mark Woods, Mason Kelman, Matt Yates, Ryan Docherty, Stevie Bradley.

Goalscorers were as follows:- Matt Yates, Lewis Jameson, Ryan Docherty & Ciaran Dickson

Under 15’s

Newcastle United 1 Rangers 1

Rangers:- Robbie McCrorie, Ross Lyon, Sam Liddington, Reagan Milne, Ross McCrorie, Reece Duncan, Jamie Brandon, Max Ashmore, Josh Jeffries, Jamie Barjonas, Ben Reilly.

Subs:- John Cunningham, Jack Gilmour, Danny Bonner, Rhys Young

Rangers goal coming from Ben Reilly.

On Saturday 6th April the 9’s through to 11’s headed to Liverpool to taken on the sides from academy and again did the club proud.

Under 9’s

Liverpool 4 Rangers 5

The boys were 3-0 down to a very good Liverpool side and came back to win 5-4 with goals from Mackenzie Carse, Leon King, Gavin Gallagher, Mackenzie Kirk & Alex King.

Rangers Squad:- Murray Johnston, Leon King, Lewis McGregor, Mackenzie Kirk, Leyton Dunlop, Mackenzie Carse, Jack Scanlan, Robbie Ure, Gavin Gallagher, Jack Mason, Gavin Hamilton, Alex King.

Under 10’s

Two seven-a-side teams played the two Liverpool sides and the results in the four games saw Rangers winning two 10-1 & 5-3 and losing two 5-4 & 6-4.

The goals were scored by Reagan Aiken (5), Robbie Fraser (4),  Alex Lowery (4), Aaron Lyle (4) , Lewis Robertson (2),  Rhys Caves (2), Adam Devine & Liam Morrison.

Rangers Squad:- Grant Thackeray, Aaron Miller, Liam Morrison, Adam Devine,Reagan Aiken, Rhys Caves, Alex Lowry, Evan McSwegan , Ryan Stubbo, Lewis Budinauckas, Robbie Fraser, Lorenzo Giovanazzi, Ross Taylor, Lewis Robertson, Kai Kilpatrick, Aaron Lyle.

Under 11’s

Like the under 10’s the games were  four, seven-a-side games. With Rangers winning 7-1 & 5-1, drawing 3-3 and losing the other game 4-2.

The goals were scored by Lewis Jameson (4), Matt Yates (3), Ciaran Dickson (3), Mason Kelman, Lyle Carothers (2), Josh Henderson (2), Ryan Docherty (2), Mason Kelman, Kai Kennedy & Mark Woods.

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Budinauckas, Ciaran Dickson, Josh Henderson, Kai Kennedy, KyleMcLelland, Lewis Jameson, Luke Scullion, Lyle Carothers, Mark Woods, Mason Kelman, Matt Yates, Ryan Docherty, Stevie Bradley, Blair Rossiter.

 On Sunday 7th April the under 12’s through to 14’s entertained Doncaster Rovers. Rangers winning the three games, 13-1 at U12’s, 7-1 at U13’s and 7-2 at U14’s. I don’t have any further details.

15’s Grab Late Winner

Rangers 2 Falkirk 1

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Rangers under 15’s scored two minutes from time to secure a win in today’s friendly at Murray Park. The Ibrox youngsters had the bulk of the early possession without troubling the Falkirk goal and it was the visitors that had a long-range effort as the twenty-minute mark approached which Robbie McCrorie saved comfortably low to his left.

Rangers replied immediately with a similar effort, Reece Duncan stepping inside a defender before testing the keeper who saved without too much trouble. Seven minutes later Rangers came close to taking the lead, Reece Duncan gained possession at the edge of the box and his shot beat the keeper but bounced wide of his right hand post.

Just after the half-hour Jamie Brandon fed the overlapping John Cunningham and the full-back shot narrowly over. A minute later a long ball sent Reece Duncan through, as the keeper came out he tried a lob, the keeper getting enough on the ball to allow a defender to get back to clear.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Falkirk 0

Ten minutes after the break Jamie Barjonas passed to Josh Jeffries who progressed to the edge of the box before going for goal with the Falkirk keeper diving to his left to turn the ball over. Midway through the half Rangers took the lead, Ross McCrorie rising to head Jack Gilmour’s corner from the left past the keeper.

With eight minutes left on the clock Josh Jeffries let go from twenty-five yards with the keeper diving to divert the ball wide of his left hand post. Three minutes later Falkirk equalised, from a free kick on the right side of the box Robbie McCrorie dived to his right to parry but was helpless as the rebound was knocked into the net.

With a draw now looking likely Max Ashmore set off on a solo run that took him past three defenders and just inside the box, he then setup Daniel Bonner on the right side of the penalty area to shoot past the keeper. Rangers still had time to come close  to scoring a third from a Jamie Barjonas twenty-five yarder which was just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Falkirk 1

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie, Ross Lyon, John Cunningham, Reagan Milne, Ross McCrorie, Max Ashmore, Liam Burt, Jamie Brandon, Daniel Bonner, Josh Jeffries, Jamie Barjonas, Reece Duncan, Jack Gilmour.