15’s Hit Six

Rangers 6 Queen’s Park 1

Rangers Under 15’s with five Under 14’s included in the squad had a comfortable victory against Queen’s Park at Murray Park tonight. Although it took them a while to get into gear and there was twenty minutes on the clock before either keeper was troubled, Sam Jamieson cut in from the left past two defenders and his shot from the edge of the box had the Queen’s Park keeper diving to his right to turn the ball wide for a corner.

Four minutes later Rangers took the lead, from midway inside the Queen’s Park half and wide on the right Grant Nelson’s cross was headed into the net by Sam Jamieson. Ten minutes later Rangers doubled their lead, Kieran Balfour sent the ball out to Sam Jamieson on the left, from his cross Ben Andoh held off a defender before shooting past the keeper.

Just before the break Grant Nelson played a corner short to Liam Burt who worked his way into the penalty area before forcing a save from the keeper at his near post. Liam Burt took the resultant corner which Jason Krones volleyed high over from close range.

Half-Time;- Rangers 2 Queen’s Park 0

Rangers started the second half in whirlwind fashion, hitting the Hampden side with three goals in six minutes. First up Sam Jamieson hooked the ball over his head at the edge of the box to send Andy Dallas clear to grab Rangers third. Two minutes later Liam Burt sent a free kick from just outside the left side of the penalty area into the far corner of the net.

Three minutes later Ben Andoh shot from just outside the right side of the box which the keeper failed to hold and following up Andy Dallas knocked the ball into the net. The visitor’s had their first real chance a few minutes later with an attack fashioned on the right, when the ball was played inside the shot on goal was saved by Kieran Wright diving to his right.

Five minutes later Kieran Wright was called into action again when he stood tall to block after an attack through the inside right channel.  Just after the sixty-fifth minute it was Rangers substitute keeper that was called into action, following an attack through the centre Ryan Millar dived to his right to turn the shot wide of his right hand post.

Rangers went straight to the other end and Stephen Kelly progressed from the left along the eighteen yard line before setting up Kieran Balfour, with the Queen’s keeper getting down to save his shot. This period of the game was end to end and when Queen’s Park moved the ball from right to left it took a fine Jason Krones challenge to divert the ball for a corner.

With six minutes remaining Rangers grabbed a sixth from a superb strike, there seemed little danger when Alex Lynn picked the ball up outside the right side of the penalty area but he sent a superb shot into the top corner of the net. The visitor’s then grabbed a consolation goal when a pass sent their player through one-on one with Ryan Millar and he poked the ball past the keeper and into the net.

There was still time for Matthew Shiels to get a touch on Ben Andoh’s right-wing cross but he was denied by the Queen’s Park keeper who made a decent save.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Queen’s Park 1

Rangers Squad;- Kieran Wright (Gk), Ryan Millar (Gk), Dean Picken, Scott Gray, Robbie Smith, Jason Krones, Jack Thomson, Alex Lynn, Kieran Balfour, Sam Jamieson, Liam Burt, Grant Nelson, Ben Andoh, Andy Dallas, Stephen Kelly, Lewis Mayo, Matthew Shiels.

 

Reserves Reach Final

Rangers 3 Stenhousemuir o

Rangers reached “last” season’s Reserve League Cup Final with a comfortable win at Murray Park tonight. With both sides agreeing to make this an Under 20 fixture, there were no “trialists” in the Rangers line up.

Rangers took the lead after thirteen minutes, some excellent play by Tom Walsh close to the corner flag on the right made space for the cross which was met by Danny Stoney who sent a looping header back across goal and into the net close to the post. The lead was increased after a further thirteen minutes, when a corner from the right was cleared to the edge of the box Dylan Dykes shot through a crowded penalty area into the net.

Just after the half hour mark Charlie Telfer tried his luck from distance with keeper Dean Shaw held under his crossbar, Seven minutes before the break Andy Murdoch sent a pass out to Tom Walsh on the left from his cross Luca Gasparotto powered a header goalwards that bounced of keeper Dean Shaw’s legs and was cleared.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Stenhousemuir o

It was twenty minutes into the second half before a clear-cut chance was created, Charlie Telfer and Tom Walsh combining to create a chance for Danny Stoney on the left side of the penalty area and Dean Shaw turned his shot wide for a corner. On seventy-two minutes an enterprising run from Ryan Sinnamon looked certain to lead to a third goal, but Charlie Telfer coud only knock the ball wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

A minute later strong play from Callum Gallagher on the left side of the box saw him shrug off a defender but he shot was across goal and wide of the far post. As the game approached the final ten minutes Rangers clinched the tie by scoring a third goal, Danny Stoney’s run and cross from the right saw Callum Gallagher take a superb touch to take him clear of a defender before shooting past Dean Shaw.

Rangers had another couple of chances before the final whistle, Jamie Mills passed inside to Danny Stoney who’s shot was saved by Dean Shaw at his near post. Tom Walsh then intercepted a slack pass and setup Charlie Telfer on the penalty spot, a goal seemed certain but Dean Shaw produced a fine save.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Stenhousemuir 0

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Craig Halkett,  Luca Gasparotto, Greg Pascazio, Ryan Sinnamon (Jamie Mills 82mins); Dylan Dykes (Darren Ramsay 63mins), Charlie Telfer, Andy Murdoch, Danny Stoney; Tom Walsh; Callum Gallagher (Kris Gibson 79mins).

Not Used;- Jamie Wilson (Gk)

Stenhousemuir:- Dean Shaw; Robbie Duncan, David Nimmo, Sean Armstrong, Ciaran Summers; Andy Thomson, Ross McNeill, Charles Docherty, Kyle Doherty, Chris Banks (Greg Stewart 60mins); Salim Kouider-Alissa.

Not Used;- Jamie McGregor (Gk), Greg Pearson, Mark Allan, Paul Brennan.

Linfield Youngsters Visit Murray Park

Rangers U13’s 4 Linfield U14’s 4

It was a stiff test for Rangers Under 13’s against older opponents at Murray Park tonight, but the Rangers youngsters impressed with their passing game especially in the first and third periods, with the Belfast side being equally impressive as they got their own passing game together in the middle period.

Rangers opened the scoring in the first minute, Nathan Patterson progressed to the byline on the left and his cross found its way to Kieran McKechnie at the back post who slotted home. Linfield replied a couple of minutes later with an attack down the left and the shot from the left side of the penalty area found the net via Brian Kinnear’s left hand post.

The visitors threatened again on the twenty-minute mark with another attack on the left, this time the shot was across goal and wide of Brian Kinnear’s left hand post. Rangers replied immediately by taking the lead, Billy Gilmour won possession just outside the right side of the penalty area and lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Linfield hit back in the opening minutes of the second period with an attack through the centre, a neat exchange of passes at the edge of the box opening up the Rangers defence and allowing a strike past Brian Kinnear. The Belfast side then took the lead on thirty-six minutes, they passed the ball across the face of Rangers penalty area from right to left which ended with a shot past Brian Kinnear and into the net.

Midway through the period Linfield looked certain to increase their lead when they were through one-on-one on Brian Kinnear, but the Rangers keeper stood tall to make a fine save. The goal did come five minutes before the end of the period, when the ball came into the Rangers box from the right they struggled to clear and it eventually fell for a Linfield player to shoot past Brian Kinnear.

The final attack of the period saw Ben Williamson send Mark Leonard through and he was desperately unlucky when his shot hit the inside of the keeper’s left hand post and flashed across goal. Rangers started the third period with a superb move that was almost rewarded with a goal, Andy Rodden played the ball up to Dylan Patterson on halfway, his headed layoff sent Lewis McGrattan heading towards the Linfield box. He passed to Mark Leonard on the edge of the box and his layback to Lewis McGrattan saw the midfielder beat the keeper but watch his shot rebound off the crossbar.

Kieran McKechnie then hit the byline on the right and his cross found Dylan Patterson at the back post and he was only denied by a fine save by the Linfield keeper low to his left. Rangers reduced the deficit with their next attack, again it was a burst to the right hand byline this time by Nathan Patterson and when the cross came into the box the referee adjudged it was handled by a defender and the same player converted from the spot.

The visitors the had a chance to regain their two goal advantage when a powerful run down the left outstripped the Rangers defence and keeper Reece Murdoch dived to his left to pull off a fine save. Rangers capitalised by equalising from another penalty, Kieran McKechnie was body checked as he busrt into the right side of the box and Mark Leonard beat the keeper from twelve yards.

Full-Time:- Rangers U13’s 4 Linfield U14’s 4

Rangers:- Brian Kinnear (Gk), Reece Murdoch(Gk), Aiden Gibb, Jamie Walker, Rhuaridh McIntyre, Danny Finlayson, Ben Williamson, Kieran McKechnie, Billy Gilmour, Niyah Joseph, Dylan Patterson, Nathan Patterson, Kyle Ewing, Lewis McGrattan, Andy Rodden, Mark Leonard.

Under 20’s Win At Beith

Beith Juniors 1 Rangers 3

Rangers Under 20 squad travelled to Bellsdale Park for a friendly against Ayrshire Junior side Beith. After a goalless first half the Rangers youngsters took control and win the game in the second forty-five.

The home side missed the first chance after six minutes, from Andy Gibson’s corner from the right John Sheridan’s header was into the ground and bounced over the crossbar. Rangers reply was a long-range Andy Mitchell strike that Neil Greenwood dived to his right to parry.

Just before the twenty-minute mark the home side looked certain to take the lead when Andy Gibson’s cross from the right was right on the head of Paul Craig right in front of goal but he was denied when Liam Kelly produced a brilliant point-blank save. Rangers reply was a run on the left from Barrie McKay and pass inside to Andy Mitchell who shot over from around twenty-five yards.

Five minutes before the break Andy Gibson’s corner was cleared to the edge of the box but only as far as Paul Firze who’s shot was deflected forcing Liam Kelly into a save low to his right.

Half-Time:-Beith Juniors 0 Rangers 0

Rangers took the lead in the opening minute of the second half. Barrie McKay’s corner from the right saw Greg Pascazio’s header arrive back at his feet on the right byline, he passed back to Andy Mitchell who’s cross was headed past Neil Greenwood by Callum Gallagher. Just after the hour Stuart McDonald passed inside from the right to David McGowan and his shot from distance saw Liam Kelly dive to his left to produce a fine save.

The equaliser was only delayed a couple of minutes, when Beith worked a short corner on the right Andy Reid’s cross was headed past Liam Kelly by Kenny McLean. Rangers regained the lead barely sixty seconds later, a neat turn on halfway by Danny Stoney allowed him space to deliver the pass the sent Callum Gallagher clear and the striker continued into the box before shooting past Neil Greenwood.

Five minutes later Tom Walsh passed inside to Dylan Dykes from the left and the substitute’s shot was tipped over by Neil Greenwood. Rangers made the game save with four minutes remaining, Dylan Dykes pass sent Barrie McKay on a race to the ball with keeper Neil Greenwood, when they converged the ball broke for the Rangers striker who fired into the net.

The home side had one final chance to pull a goal back when Marc McShane rose to meet Joe Bradley’s corner from the right but his header was just too high.

Full-Time:- Beith Juniors 1 Rangers 3

Beith:- Neil Greenwood; Brian McKeown (Stuart McDonald 53mins), David Donnelly (Marc McShane 73mins), John Sheridan, Nicky Docherty; Robert Storrie; Andy Gibson (Joe Bradley 53mins), Paul Firze , Andy Reid; Paul Craig (Kenny McLean 53mins), Charlie Hobbs (David McGowan 53 mins).

Not Used:- Adam Strain

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon (Dylan Dykes 53mins), Greg Pascazio, Kris Gibson, Jamie Mills; Tom Walsh, Andy Murdoch (Darren Ramsay 58mins), Andy Mitchell, Barrie McKay; Charlie Telfer (Danny Stoney 58mins); Callum Gallagher.

Not Used:- Jamie Wilson (Gk)

Easy Win For 13’s

Rangers 14 Queen’s Park 0

Rangers under 13’s had an easy win against Queen’s Park at Murray Park this morning, the Ibrox youngsters were so dominant that goalkeepers Brian Kinnear and Reece Murdoch barely got a touch of the ball. Credit to the Queen’s Park youngsters who never gave up and kept trying to play their own game.

The scoring started after five minutes, Dylan Patterson sent Kieran McKechnie clear and he side stepped the goalkeeper before rolling the ball into the net. A further twelve minutes had elapsed before Rangers scored again, this time the source was an Andy Rodden corner from the right that was headed past the goalkeeper by Danny Finlayson.

A minute later and Rangers increased their lead with a similar goal, but this time the corner was by Kieran McKechnie and was from the left and the finishing header came from Mark Leonard. Rangers were rampant and when Lewis McGrattan moved the ball to Dylan Patterson, he played in Kieran McKechnie on the right side of the penalty area and he drilled the ball past the keeper.

The visitors managed to stem the tide a bit before losing a fifth goal in the final minute of the period, Billy Gilmour’s cross from the right hand byline was headed into the air and Kieran McKechnie finished with a spectacular over head volley. It took Rangers nine minutes of the second period to find the net again, Andy Rodden and Dylan Patterson worked a short corner on the right and when the cross came in Danny Finlayson was in space at the back post to head into the net.

The next goal followed three minutes later, Nathan Patterson played a one-two with Kieran McKechnie on the right and when his cross came into the box Mark Leonard headed past the keeper. The scoring in the second period was completed with four minutes remaining, Andy Rodden’s corner from the right eventually fell for Niyah Joseph who scored from close range.

Five minutes into the final period Rhuaridh McIntyre’s pass inside the right full-back sent Andy Rodden clear on the left, Niyah Joseph couldn’t quite reach his cross but Kieran McKechnie arrived at the back post to fire home.  Rangers the grabbed further goals around the twenty minute mark of the period, Dylan Patterson took on a defender on the left before crossing for Niyah Joseph to net.

Next the ball was played out to Andy Rodden on the left and his cross was converted at the back post by the prolific Kieran McKechnie. With the visitor’s a bit demoralised Rangers signed off with three goals in the final three minutes. First of all Mark Leonard converted a cross from the left.

Dylan Patterson was then fouled as he broke through the middle and into the penalty area, and he stepped up to convert from spot. The scoring was complete when Dylan Patterson’s attack on the right caused panic in the Queen’s Park defence and when they failed to clear the ball eventually fell for Niyah Joseph to shoot past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 14 Queen’s Park 0

Rangers:- Brian Kinnear (Gk), Reece Murdoch (Gk), Nathan Patterson, Jamie Walker, Kyle Ewing, Danny Finlayson, Lewis McGrattan, Kieran McKechnie, Billy Gibson, Mark Leonard, Dylan Patterson, Andy Rodden, Ben Williamson, Rhuaridh McIntyre, Niyah Joseph.

17’s Edge Out Queen’s Park

Rangers 2 Queen’s Park 1

Rangers under 17’s came from behind to edge out Queen’s Park today at Murray Park, with the first team training this morning we had the rare sight of first team manager and coach taking in part of the game from the balcony.

Rangers carved out the first opening after six minutes, Max Ashmore passed to Junior Ogen who hit the byline on the left, when he cut the ball back to the edge of the box Adam Wilson fired just over. Just before the twenty minute mark a long diagonal pass created a chance for Queen’s Park inside the right side of the penalty area and it took a superb Chris McDonald challenge to snuff out the danger.

Ten minutes later the visitor’s took the lead, Jamie Wilson missed a low driven cross from the right hand byline and the ball was knocked into the net at the back post. Rangers tried to reply and from Ross Lyon’s cross field pass Max Ashmore showed great chest control to go past the right full-back and force the keeper into a diving save to his left.

Queen’s Park were looking as likely to score as Rangers and from a free-kick wide on the left the resultant header was just wide of Jamie Wilson’s left hand post. Just before the break Ross Lyon played the ball up to Kyle Clark, it broke to Junior Ogen on the edge of the box but his shot was wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Half-Time:-Rangers 0 Queen’s Park 1

The visitor’s were first to threaten three minutes after the break with an attack down the right, when the ball came inside the shot was wide of Jamie Wilson’s right hand post. Midway through the half the ball was played up to Kyle Clark at the edge of the box and he laid it into the path of Jordan Hammill who’s shot was saved by the keeper.

With Rangers struggling to create chances they were thrown a lifeline on seventy-one minutes, when Ross Lyon sent a free-kick from halfway into the box the referee spotted an off the ball incident and pointed to the spot, Junior Ogen stepped up to convert from twelve yards. Two minutes later Rangers edged ahead with what proved to be the winner, excellent play on the left from Chris McDonald took him past two defenders to the byline and his cross found Trialist No.16 at the back post to nod into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Queen’s Park 1

Rangers:- Jamie Wilson; Ross Lyon, Michael Mossie (Ross McCrorie HT), Scot Whiteside, Chris McDonald, Kyle Clark (Trialist No,15), Junior Ogen, Jordan Hammill, Adam Wilson, Max Ashmore (Trialist No.16), Andy McKinnon (Daniel Bonner).

Not Used:- Kieran Wright (Gk)

Footnote:- I noticed a few ex-Rangers youth players scored today. From Charlie Adam in the premiership, through Ross McCormack and Chris Burke in the championship, Barry Nicholson for Killie, Kane Hemmings  (Cowdenbeath), Scott Durie (East Fife) and I was particularly pleased to see “wee” Scott Ferguson score for Clyde, as did Kieran McDonald.

Rangers Face French Academy

Rangers 2 French Football Academy 2

A Rangers U15 side supplemented with four under 16’s took on a side from one of the French Regional Academies at The National Sports Centre in Largs. The game was played over two thirty-five minute halves, with Rangers dominating the first half and the French side who looked on average slightly younger having the better of the second half.

The first chance came for Rangers on six minutes when Liam Burt found Daniel Bonner inside the box but he shot across goal and wide of the keeper’s left hand post. A minute later Daniel Bonner fed Sam Jamieson on the right side of the box with the keeper saving his shot.

Rangers took the lead on the quarter-hour mark, Liam Burt won the ball at the edge of the box before lobbing the ball over the keeper and into the net. Two minutes later Max Ashmore had a chance when he broke through the inside right channel but the keeper made a decent save.

Just after the half hour Rangers were gifted a second goal, the French keeper was far too casual in dealing with a pass back and his attempted clearance rebounded off Sam Jamieson and into the net. The visitors had a chance just before the break with an attack on the right side of the Rangers penalty area with Kieran Wright saving with his legs at the near post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 French Football Academy 0

The French side came close in the opening minute of the second half, the ball was moved from the left across midfield to the right side of the box, the strike beat Kieran Wright but crashed off the underside of the bar. Four minutes later they reduced the deficit, winning possession midway inside the Rangers half and attacking through the centre of defence before shooting past Kieran Wright.

Rangers replied with Sam Jamieson feeding Andy Dallas on the right side of the box with the keeper saving his effort on goal. As the game entered the final fifteen minutes Andy Dallas broke into the right side of the penalty area, the keeper parried his shot from a narrow angle, Sam Jamieson knocked the rebound against the post before the defence cleared.

From a free-kick on the edge of the Rangers box the ball was deflected into the path of a French forward and it took a superb point-blank save from Ryan Millar to deny the visitors an equaliser.  A cross from the right wing then bounced off the Rangers crossbar before being cleared. The leveler did come a few minutes before the end from an attack deep inside the right side of the box, Ryan Millar produced another save from close range but was helpless when the rebound was knocked into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 French Football Academy 2

Rangers:- Kieran Wright (Ryan Millar 45mins); Kyle Bradley, Jason Krones, Robbie Smith, Ross Lyon; Sam Jamieson, Ross McCrorie, Kieran Balfour (Ben Andoh 39mins), Max Ashmore, Liam Burt (Dean Picken 44mins); Daniel Bonner (Andy Dallas 40mins).

Youngsters Take On Forth Valley Academy

Rangers 4 Forth Valley Academy o

This was the opening weekend of the Development League fixtures and with Rangers scheduled to take on the new Forth Valley Academy I took in the Under 14’s Fixture at Murray Park. With the nucleus of the the Forth Valley side provided by Falkirk a continuation of the passing style of Falkirk was evident, but Rangers were too good and won comfortably with the visitor’s rarely threatening in an attacking sense.

Although the first chance of the game fell to the visitor’s from an attack through the centre of Rangers defence with Lewis Muir saving bravely at the attacker’s feet. Ranger responded immediately by taking the lead, Zak Rudden on the right passed inside to Matthew Shiels inside the box and he thundered a shot off the underside of the bar and into the net.

Rangers doubled their lead before the end of the first period, Zak Rudden sent the ball out the Michael Hewitt overlapping on the right, he then made his way into the box to meet the cross and find the net with a diving header.

Zak Rudden was again involved at the start of the second period, playing in Grant Forrester  on the left side of the box who’s shot was powerful but was straight at the keeper who saved. When the Falkirk defence lost the ball inside their own box Matthew Shiels was presented with a chance and he tried to do a “Wellbeck” on the keeper but his lob was too high and cleared the crossbar.

A Stephen Kelly solo run saw him slalom through the visitor’s defence into the left side of the box an exceptional goal looked certain but his shot was just wide of the far post. A third goal was to arrive before the end of the second period, it came after a sustained assault on the visitor’s goal which they were struggling to repel and the ball eventually arrived at Cammy Palmer who shot through the crowded area into the net.

After a quiet first half of the third period, Rangers threatened on the turn around, Cammy Palmer passing to Jack Thomson on the right side of the box and he forced the keeper to save low to his left. The scoring was completed with the goal of the game, when Jack Thomson broke from the back it setup a passing sequence that cut through the Forth Valley defence. he exchanged passes with Carlo Pigniatello before freeing Zak Rudden on the left side of the penalty area who unselfishly rolled the ball across goal to give Matthew Shiels a tap in.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Forth Valley Academy 0

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Muir (Gk), Michael Hewitt, Scott Gray, Jack Thomson, Lewis Mayo, Cammy Palmer, Matthew Shiels, Stephen Kelly, Zak Rudden, Scott Blacklaw, Grant Forrester, Carlo Pigniatello, Aaron Reid, Cammy Wray.

Footnote:- At the same time and venue Rangers Under 13’s took on their Forth Valley counterparts winning 13-1.

Rangers Under 17’s travelled to Stirling University for their game against Forth Valley and goals from Ryan Hardie 2, Adam Wilson, Andy McKinnon, Jordan Hamill and Sam Jamieson gave them a 6-0 win.

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie (Gk), Jamie Wilson (Gk), Adam Wilson, Sam Liddington, Scot Whiteside, Jordan Hammill, Junior Ogen, Andy McKinnon, Max Ashmore, Ryan Hardie, Kyle Clark, Lewis White, Chris McDonald, Sam Jamieson, Jason Krones, Daniel Bonner.

The Under 15’s game was cancelled.

Mark Hailstones Testimonial

Clydebank 2 Rangers 6

What was a Rangers under 18 team made the trip to Holm Park to honour Clydebank striker Mark Hailstones in his testimonial match after ten years service for the club. The Ibrox youngsters ran out comfortable winners although it should be noted that the home side’s starting lineup was not their strongest and possibly included a few “guests”.

The home side lost possession straight from kick-off and Ryan Hardie broke into the right side of the penalty area before shooting past the keeper. Within sixty seconds Rangers had doubled their lead, Andy McKinnon’s initial effort was saved but the defence failed to clear and when the ball came back to him he shot home.

Clydebank replied immediately with an attack down the right and when the cross came in Liam Kelly was beaten by a powerful header that rebounded clear off the crossbar. On eight minutes Rangers scored again, from Adam Wilson’s corner from the right Greg Pascazio’s header was blocked and in the ensuing scramble Ryan Hardie forced the ball over the line.

On the quarter-hour mark Junior Ogen drove forward before feeding Andy McKinnon on the right side of the box and he forced the keeper to save low to his right. Andy McKinnon then turned provider passing to Ryan Hardie from the left and the striker’s shot was saved low to the keeper’s right.

On twenty minutes Clydebank pulled a goal back and the “man of the moment” was the scorer. From a free-kick on the left, midway inside Rangers half was sent towards the back post and Mark Hailstones volleyed past Liam Kelly. Five minutes later the home keeper misjudged a long ball allowing Ryan Hardie to run past him but the angle was too tight and his effort rolled across goal.

Just before the half hour Adam Wilson progressed on the left and his superb pass freed Ryan Hardie inside the box and he shot past the keeper. A couple of minutes later and Adam Wilson got on the score sheet, the home keeper allowing his long-range shot to slip under his body and into the net.

As half time approached Greg Pascazio sent Ryan Hardie through the inside right channel but his pass across goal was just to strong for Junior Ogen who collided with the post in his attempt to score. Right on the whistle the home side attacked down the right and when the cross was knocked down into the forwards path a goal looked certain but Liam Kelly produced a superb point-blank save.

Half-Time:- Clydebank 1 Rangers 5

The second half was tame by comparison and it was the midway point when Scot Whiteside broke forward from defence, he passed to Jordan Hamill who burst past two defenders into the box with the keeper saving bravely at the midfielder’s feet. At the other end a low driven cross from the right hand byline brought substitute keeper Robbie McCrorie in to action, diving full length to punch the ball clear.

The Bankies grabbed their second goal on seventy-two minutes, the source was a corner from the right which the Rangers defence struggled to clear and the linesmen indicated that one of the efforts on goal had crossed the line. Rangers replied when Jamie Brandon sent Ryan Hardie down the right and he made his way into the box to nod the ball into the path of Jamie Mills who was denied by the keeper.

A few moments later was the night’s only sour note when Jamie Brandon got injured in a challenge and had to leave the field on a stretcher with Max Ashmore returning to the action. In the final minute Ryan Hardie charged down the keeper’s clearance, lobbed the ball over a defender before knocking it into the empty net.

Full-Time:- Clydebank 2 Rangers 6

Rangers:- Liam Kelly (Robbie McCrorie 68mins); Jordan Hamill, Greg Pascazio, Scot Whiteside, Sam Liddington (Lewis White 62mins); Andy McKinnon (Chris McDonald 67mins), Junior Ogen, Max Ashmore (Jamie Brandon 60mins) Adam Wilson, Jamie Mills; Ryan Hardie.

Rangers Edge Pars In Goal Fest

Rangers 5 Dunfermline Athletic 4

Rangers Under 20’s edged out Dunfermline at Dumbarton tonight with the odd goal in NINE !! With both defences looking like losing a goal almost every time they were attacked it certainly made for an entertaining ninety minutes.

The Fife side took the lead after only five minutes, when Scott Mercer crossed from the right Alan Smith failed to gather under pressure and the ball fell to Faysaal El Bakhtaoui at the back post and he shot into the net. Five minutes later Rangers equalised, from Alan Smith’s long clearance Lewis Martin and keeper Ryan Goodfellow hesitated allowing Jamie Burrows to nip in and knock the ball over the keeper and into the net.

The visitor’s restored their lead on twenty minutes, a free-kick from the right was delivered into the box and was headed clear by Craig Halkett but only to the edge of the box where Faysall El Bakhtaoui volleyed past Alan Smith. Rangers replied within three minutes from a free-kick of their own, Tom Walsh delivered from the right and the ball broke for Luca Gasparotto just outside the six yard box and he shot through a crowd of players into the net.

On the half-hour Anestis Argyriou broke forward from left-back and when he was challenged at the edge of the box the ball broke to Tom Walsh who forced a save from Ryan Goodfellow low to his right. It was the Greek defender’s last involvement as he was injured in the challenge and was replaced by Kris Gibson. A couple of minutes later Darren Ramsay touched the ball into the path of Tom Walsh just inside the box but he shot over.

As the half entered the last ten minutes Callum Gallagher played a one-two with Jamie Burrows on the right side of the box before firing a shot off the crossbar, the Dunfermline defence failed to clear and when the ball arrived at the feet of Tom Walsh at the edge of the box he fired into the net. Just before the break Stephen Husband broke forward and his pass released Robert Thomson breaking into the box and only a superb Craig Halkett challenge averted the danger.

Half-Time:- Rangers 3 Dunfermline Athletic 2

As the hour point approached the game was all square again, when Luca Gasparotto fouled Jordan Moore just outside the box Stephen Husband stepped up to fire past the wall and Alan Smith and into the bottom corner. The Pars almost edged ahead on sixty-five minutes when Faysaal El Bakhtaoui’s shot from around twenty-five yards was deflected just wide of Alan Smith’s left hand post.

Rangers replied and a Jamie Burrows lay off freed Dylan Dykes inside the penalty area but he was denied by Ryan Goodfellow and a stretching Danny Stoney could only knock the rebound over. I neat exchange of passes involving Barry McKay, Kyle McAusand and Danny Stoney created a chance for Kyle McAusland who forced a save from Ryan Goodfellow low to his left.

Rangers got their noses in front with twelve minutes remaining, Barrie McKay’s free-kick from left of centre midway inside the Dunfermline half was headed across goal by Craig Halkett and Dylan Dykes was on hand to net from close range. At the other end Faysaal El Bakhtaoui’s cross from the right was headed out by Craig Halkett, it fell to Scott Mercer on the left angle of the box and his shot went across goal and wide of Alan Smith’s left hand post.

Rangers seemed to have made the points save with only four minutes on the clock, Jamie Burrows and Tom Walsh exchanged passes in midfield before the former broke towards the penalty area before releasing Danny Stoney on the right side of the box and he took a touch before shooting across Ryan Goodfellow and into the net. Barely sixty seconds later the visitor’s ensured a nervy few minutes by reducing the deficit. Scott Mercer’s free-kick from the right midway inside the Rangers half was swung to the back post where Scott Gray rose to head past Alan Smith.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Dunfermline Athletic 4

Rangers:- Alan Smith; Ryan Sinnamon, Craig Halkett, Luca Gasparotto, Anestis Argyriou (Kris Gibson 31mins); Callum Gallagher (Dylan Dykes 53mins), Kyle McAusland, Darren Ramsay (Danny Stoney 67mins), Barrie McKay; Tom Walsh; Jamie Burrows.

Not Used:- Liam Kelly (Gk), Greg Pascazio, Jamie Mills, Ryan Hardie.

Dunfermline Athletic:- Ryan Goodfellow; Ryan Williamson, James Washburn, Lewis Martin, Ross Drummond; Faysaal El Bakhtaoui, Lewis Spence, Stephen Husband, Scott Mercer; Jordan Moore (Scott Gray 65mins), Robert Thomson.

Not Used;- Cammy Gill (Gk), Jordan Orru, Gavin McMillan, Finn Graham, Declan O’Kane, Cameron McClair.