Strikers Goals Secure Win Ove Accies

Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

A goal each from strikers Junior Ogen and Ryan Hardie proved enough to edge out Hamilton Accies in last night’s under 17’s Development League game at Murray Park. A Hamilton Accies side that included for Rangers player Ben Reilly created a couple of early shooting opportunities but they were a bit too high and failed to trouble Robbie McCrorie.

On twelve minutes Lewis White played the ball forward to Ryan Hardie on the left and after some good wing play he put a cross into the box, when it was headed out it was picked up by Jordan Hamill who brought out a save from the Accies keeper. The visitors responded and when a pass was sent inside David Brownlie, Jai Quitongo was clear and breaking into the Rangers box, the defender recovered to clear the ball for a corner with a superb challenge.

David Brownlie was in action at the other end on twenty-six minutes, getting on the end of a Junior Ogen corner from the right and powering a header against the Accies crossbar. As the game entered the final ten minutes of the half Junior Ogen’s pass released Ryan Hardie on the right side of the box but his shot was across goal and wide of the far post.

Lewis White was the creator of the next chance, attacking the left side of Hamilton’s penalty area he passed inside to Junior Ogen and his shot forced the keeper to dive low to left to save. Rangers were not to be denied and took the lead three minutes before the break, Ross McCrorie played the ball up to Junior Ogen from the left, the Rangers striker showed great strength to hold off and turn the Accies defender before shooting past the keeper from just inside the box.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers had a chance from a free-kick in the opening minute of the second half, Junior Ogen’s effort beat the defensive wall and forced a save from the keeper who was assisted by a well placed defender to clear the rebound. Hamilton capitalised on that let off by going straight up the other end and grabbing an equaliser. Jai Quitongo was progressing along the right hand byline and went down under Michael Mossie’s challenge for a penalty that was duly converted.

Accies took confidence from drawing level and when their defender broke forward he passed to Jai Quitongo on the left side of Rangers box, but he shot across goal and wide of the far post. It was the visitors that threatened again on sixty-five minutes this time the shot from the edge of the box was saved by Robbie McCrorie.

A couple of minutes later only a fine save from the Accies keeper kept the side level, Ross Lyon and Junior Ogen combined on the right to setup  a shooting chance for Jordan Hamill and he was denied by the keeper diving high to his left to turn the ball wide for a corner. With nine minutes remaining Rangers scored what proved to be the winner, Ross Lyon and Sam Jamieson combined on the right to send the full-back to the byline, his cross was right on the head of Ryan Hardie at the back post and he had a simple task to nod past the keeper.

Full-Time:-Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers:- Robbie McCrorie; David Browlie, Michael Mossie, Ross McCrorie; Ross Lyon, Kyle Clark (Sam Jamieson 74mins), Jordan Hamill, Max Ashmore (Jamie Barjonas 78mins), Lewis White (Chris McDonald 65mins); Ryan Hardie, Junior Ogen.

20’s Go Top

Rangers 2 Hibernian 0

Rangers Under 20’s took full advantage when tonight’s league fixture was reversed and moved to Murray Park when Livingston’s Energy Assets Arena was deemed unplayable. They produced one of their best performances of the season to overcome the league leaders and go two points clear at the top.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges and put pressure on the Rangers defence through a series of corners. The Rangers youngsters coped with these set plays and took the lead on twelve minutes ironically through a corner of the own, Darren Ramsay’s corner from the left was delivered to the near post and Luca Gasparotto attacked the ball and powered a header into the net.

Five minutes later the visitors had another corner and Ryan Baptie’s set play from the right hit the top of Scott Gallagher’s crossbar. Rangers replied when Robbie Crawford played the ball out to Callum Gallagher wide on the right and when he passed inside Darren Ramsay he forced Sean Murdoch into a fine save diving to his left.

Just after the hour Hibs had a free-kick to the left of Rangers penalty area, Ryan Baptie went for goal and Scott Gallagher had to be alert to push the effort over. Three minutes later Ryan Baptie delivered another corner into to Rangers box, this time from the right and Tom Gardiner’s looping header was destined for the net until Darren Ramsay popped up to head off the line.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Hibernian 0

As the hour mark approached Kyle McAusland hit the byline on the right, his cutback found Robbie Crawford with Sean Murdoch in the Hibernian goal keeping his shot out, although he didn’t seem to know too much about it, the ball then arrived at the feet of Callum Gallagher on the edge of the box and this time the Hibs keeper produced a fine save low at his left hand post.

A few minutes further had elapsed when Callum Gallagher and Robbie Crawford worked a short corner on the right and from the latter’s cross Craig Halkett headed against the crossbar. As the midpoint of the half passed Andy Murdoch broke forward before trying his luck from distance with Sean Murdoch saving comfortably.

As the game entered the final quarter of an hour Rangers had a free-kick close to the byline on the left, Darren Ramsay played the ball in low, Craig Halkett got a touch but the ball was just wide of the far post. Rangers then grabbed the clinching goal with six minutes remaining, Charlie Telfer won the ball in midfield and it broke for Darren Ramsay, seeing the keeper slightly off his line his shot from fully forty yards found the net via the keeper’s left hand post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hibernian 0

Rangers:- Scott Gallagher; Kyle McAusland, Craig Halkett, Luca Gasparotto, Ryan Sinnamon; Andy Murdoch; Jamie Burrows (Dylan Dykes 73mins), Robbie Crawford, Charlie Telfer, Darren Ramsay (Danny Stoney 89mins); Callum Gallagher.

Not Used:- Liam Kelly (Gk), Kris Gibson, Greg Pascazio

Hibernian:- Sean Murdoch; Andy Black, Tom Gardiner, Robert Wilson, Ryan Baptie; Euan Smith, Dean Horribine, Jamie Beaton, Rowan Vine (Max Todd 32mins); Danny Handling; Jason Cummings.

Not Used:- Kleton Perntreau, Aaron Dunsmore, Neil Martynuik, Gareth McCaffrey, Scott Martin, Jay Doyle.

Youth Update

Rangers 2 Stirling Albion 0

The weekend started with the Under 17’s taking on Stirling Albion on Saturday morning, with heavy rain the game was switched from grass to Astroturf  a few hours before kick-off.

Rangers had the first chance to take the lead after nine minutes, Jamie Brandon released Ryan Hardie inside the box with the visitor’s keeper standing tall to make a fine save. Five minutes later a poor goal-kick from Robbie McCrorie presented Stirling Albion with a chance and the keeper redeemed himself with a five save diving to his left.

Rangers took the lead on twenty minutes, Max Ashmore crossed from the left and Ryan Hardie finished with a controlled header into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The visitors threatened just after the half hour, moving the ball from left to right the shot from the right hand angle of the box was only just wide of the far post.

Ranger responded immediately by increasing their lead, when a corner from the right fell for Ryan Hardie  the keeper did well to block, the ball came back to the striker just left of the goal near the byline, his pass into the centre of the box setup a finish for Michael Mossie.

Rangers had a final chance five minutes before the break, Junior Ogen passed to Chris McDonald on the left side of the box, he passed inside to Ryan Hardie who turned to make space for a shot that the keeper saved low to his left.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Stirling Albion 0

When Scot Whiteside got his head to Junior Ogen’s corner from the right it took a goal line clearance to prevent a third Rangers goal. A minute later Kyle Clark’s cross field pass found Junior Ogen on the right side of the penalty area and the Stirling keeper saved bravely at the Rangers player’s feet.

On the hour mark the visitor’s had a free-kick just outside Rangers box and with the ball moving wickedly in the air Robbie McCrorie did well to turn the ball over. As the midway point of the half approached Ryan Hardie was clear on a through ball, he was a bit too casual with his finish which allowed the keeper to make the save.

With fifteen minutes remaining Michael Mossie drove forward before exchanging passes at the edge of the box with Ryan Hardie, the Stirling keeper diving to his left to save his shot on goal. Four minutes later Chris McDonald latched on to a poor pass back and his lob looked to be destined for the net only to bounce clear off the crossbar. The final chance came when Junior Ogen cut in from the  right past two defenders before testing the keeper low to his left.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Stirling Albion 0

Rangers:- Robbie McCrorie; Jordan Hamill, Scot Whiteside, David Brownlie; Jamie Brandon (Liam Burt HT(Sam Jamieson 67 mins)), Kyle Clark, Michael Mossie, Max Ashmore, Chris McDonald; Ryan Hardie, Junior Ogen.

Rangers U14’s 3 Glendowan FC U15’s 3

The second youth game of the weekend came on Sunday morning Rangers Under 14’s took on Belfast boys club Glendowan FC’s Under 15’s on the Astroturf at Murray Park.

http://www.glendowanfc.com/

Rangers were having the better of the play territorially without creating any clear-cut chances and it was Glendowan who took the lead with the first real chance of the game, when the ball was played up to the edge of the Rangers box Lewis Mayo’s clearance was more up in the air than away and the Glendowan forward set a looping header over Lewis Muir and into the net. The visitors had a chance to double their lead soon after when a pass released their attacker through the inside right channel, this time Lewis Muir dived low to his right to make a fine save.

Rangers were having plenty of possession but it was the Belfast side that looked the more likely to score and they had the first chance of the second period, it came from the right side of Rangers penalty area but the shot was across goal and wide of the far post. Rangers were then unfortunate not to draw level, Stephen Kelly’s pass sent Cammy Palmer through the inside right channel, he continued into the box and his shot beat the keeper but bounced clear off the inside of his right hand post.

The equaliser did come and the creator was Stephen Kelly, making his way across the eighteen yard line from right to left he left two defenders in his wake  before playing in Scott Blacklaw on the left side of the box and he beat the keeper with a cool finish. The visitor’s regained the lead before the end of the period, when the ball came into the edge of the penalty area from the left the striker got the break of the ball in a challenge with Jordan Houston and it gave him time and space to shoot past Lewis Muir.

Rangers got back on level terms in the early stages of the second period, Lewis Mayo sent a pass through to Carlo Pigniatiello on the edge of the box, his through ball caused panic in the Glendowan defence and when a defender knocked the ball across his own area it landed for Cammy Palmer to shoot high into the net.  Soon after the turn around in the final period Glendowan took the lead for the third time, the goal was created with a run along the left hand byline and when Rangers failed to take a couple of opportunities to clear the ball eventually came across goal and Lewis Muir was beaten from close range.

Rangers replied when Rhys Breen broke from defence before passing to Carlo Pigniatiello on the left who passed to Stephen Kelly inside the box, he made space for the shot by stepping inside a defender and was only denied by a fine save from the Glendowan keeper. The Rangers youngsters were not to be denied and came back for a third time with an equaliser in the final minute. Stephen Kelly exchanged passes with Cammy Palmer in the middle of the park before his pass released Carlo Pigniatiello on the left side of the box and he took a touch before shooting past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Glendowan FC 3

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Muir(Gk), Michael Hewitt, Aaron Reid, Jordan Houston, Lewis Mayo, Cammy Wray, Jack Pow, Cammy Palmer, Matthew Shiels, Stephen Kelly, Scott Blacklaw, Mati Zattafarra, Rhys Breen, Carlo Pigniatiello, Aaron Mooney.

Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 2

The weekend’s rain had let up for the final youth game of the weekend, the under 13’s clash with Hamilton Accies on Sunday afternoon. Rangers hand the first real effort on goal after eleven minutes, Kieran McKechnie won the ball on the right and passed inside to Dylan Patterson and his effort from just outside  the box was only just over.Towards the end  of the opening period Dylan Patterson came close again, this time from a free-kick just outside the box, his effort beat the defensive wall but was just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers again threatened  in the opening period of the second period, when a cross from the left in to the Accies box was headed clear, Lewis McGrattan gathered before shooting just wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Five minutes later Accies took the lead with their first real chance of the game, when the ball was played up to the left side of Rangers box it broke for a Hamilton player who finished with a fine lob over Nicky Hogarth.

Rangers replied a minute later with Dylan Patterson cutting in from the right past two defenders before testing the Accies keeper  who saved low to his left. Rangers equaliser came ten minutes into the second period, Lewis McGrattan passed in from the right to Dylan Patterson who fired the ball into the top corner from around twenty-five yards.

Five minutes later Rangers took the lead, their seemed little danger when Andy Rodden collected the ball twenty-five yards out just left of centre, he looked up and sent a shot over the keeper into the far top corner. A further five minutes elapsed when a superb passing move came close to a third Rangers goal. Started by Nathan Patterson on the right at halfway the ball was moved through half the team to Zack Butterworth inside the left side of the area, his shot beat the keeper but bounced clear off the inside of the keeper’s left hand post.

Dylan Patterson then sent a superb pass inside the left back to release Adedapo Mebude who was foiled by the Accies keeper. The final chance of the period came when Ben Williamson’s ball into the box was cleared as far as Lewis McGrattan who’s effort came back off the crossbar with Adedapo Mebude blazing the rebound high over.

Rangers extended their lead in the opening minute of the final period, Dylan Patterson’s dangerous free-kick from the right being diverted past the keeper by a Hamilton defender for an Own Goal. To their credit Accies responded immediately and reduced the deficit with an attack down the left that released their attacker to carry on into the box and shoot past Reece Murdoch.

Rangers restored their two goal advantage ten minutes into the period, Zack Butterworth won the ball on the left side of the box and when his low cross came along the six yard line Adedapo Mubude got the better of keeper and defender to force the ball over the goal line and into the net. Hamilton threatened Rangers goal with eight minutes remaining from an attack on the right side of the penalty area and it took fine Nathan Patterson block to stop the initial shot with Recce Murdoch saving the effort from the rebound.

Rangers then added to their tally with a couple of minutes remaining, Billy Gilmour providing the killer pass to free up Zack Butterworth inside the left side of the box and he shot across the keeper into far corner. There was one final chance when Adedapo Mubude set off on a solo run past a couple of defenders into the area with the keeper advancing from his line to block his shot with his legs.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 2

Rangers Squad:- Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Reece Murdoch (Gk), Nathan Patterson, Andy Rodden, Rhuaridh Mcintyre, Aiden Gibb, Lewis McGrattan, Kieran McKechnie, Billy Gilmour, Niyah Joseph, Dylan Patterson, Marc Leonard, Ben Williamson, Zack Butterworth, Kyle Ewing, Adedapo Mubude, Jamie Walker.

Footnote:- Rangers Under 15’s recorded a 5-3 win over Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park on Sunday morning with goals from Liam Burt, Jamie Barjonas, Kyle Bradley & Sam Jamieson (2)

Second Half Display Too Good For ‘Well

Rangers 6 Motherwell 0

A superb second half display from Rangers Under 15’s saw them hit Motherwell for six at Murray Park tonight. A little bit fortunate to be a goal ahead at the break the Rangers youngsters took the game by the scruff of the neck and produced a display that Motherwell couldn’t live with.

The game began with a whirlwind start with the visitor’s through one-on-one with Kieran Wright in the opening minute, a goal looked the likely outcome until the Rangers keeper produced a superb save low to his left. Rangers immediately broke to the other end and took the lead, Sam Jamieson played in Liam Burt on the left side of the penalty area and he beat the keeper with a calm finish.

Barely sixty seconds later Motherwell were through on Kieran Wright again, this time the shot beat the Rangers keeper but the ball bounced clear off his right hand post. This pace couldn’t last and we had to wait a further fifteen minutes for the next chance, it came when Sam Jamieson played the ball inside the right-back for Grant Nelson on the left side of the box with the Motherwell keeper advancing from his line to block with his legs.

Midway through the half Sam Jamieson knocked on a clearance to send Grant Nelson clear but his shot was narrowly wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Seven minutes before the break Motherwell opened up Rangers down the right, when the shot came in from the right side of the box it cannoned of the inside of Kieran Wright’s right hand post with the keeper beaten.

Rangers replied when Jamie Barjonas picked up a slack pass from the ‘Well defence and passed to Sam Jamieson on the edge of the box, a neat turn made space for the shot which was narrowly over. Almost immediately a pass through the centre of the Rangers defence sent the Motherwell striker through on Kieran Wright again, this time the effort was weak and it allowed Kieran Wright to make the save and Jason Krones was on hand to complete the clearance.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Motherwell 0

Rangers came out flying after the break and almost increased their lead after three minutes, Grant Nelson started the move on the left before passing to Sam Jamieson who played in Liam Burt, he prodded the ball past the advancing keeper but a defender got back to clear from the goal line.

Five minutes later Jamie Barjonas drove forward to the edge of the box and shot narrowly over. Rangers were now creating chances at will, the next came when Grant Nelson passed inside from the left, a neat Sam Jamieson flick set up a shooting chance for Liam Burt that the keeper saved.

Another drive forward from Jamie Barjonas again ended with an effort on goal from the edge of the box and this time the Motherwell keeper saved. On the hour mark Rangers showed good patience keeping possession, the moved ended with a Sam Jamieson through ball that the keeper just beat Andy Dallas to.

As the midway point of the half approached Motherwell eventually threatened the Rangers goal, from a cross from the left the visitor’s striker headed narrowly over. On sixty-nine minutes Rangers grabbed the second goal their play deserved, when Aidan Wilson took a heavy aerial challenge on the halfway line the ball went through the Motherwell defence and Andy Dallas was clear in the inside right channel, he continued into the box and unselfishly rolled the ball across goal to present Liam Burt with a simple tap in.

A minute later Andy Dallas progressed down the left and when he cut the ball back to Sam Jamieson only a great block by a Motherwell defender prevented a goal. As the final quarter-hour approached Rangers hit Motherwell with two carbon copy goals in as many minutes. Andy Dallas sent Sam Jamieson clear on the left side of the box and he calmly rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the net.

It was the same combination a minute later, an Andy Dallas pass sending Sam Jamieson clear on the left side of the box, on this occasion he prodded the ball past the advancing keeper. The fifth goal came with ten minutes remaining, Alex Lynn sent the ball out to Ben Andoh on the right, when his cross came in the Motherwell keeper fumbled and Sam Jamieson pounced to fire into the net to complete his hat-trick.

Rangers completed the scoring in the final minute, Andy Dallas took on the Motherwell defence  down the left, his low ball into the box was cleared to the edge of the box where Alex Lynn gave the keeper no chance with a powerful finish. In the dying seconds Kieran Wright ensured a clean sheet, a cross from the right was cleared to the edge of the box, the shot was heading for the top corner until the Rangers keeper dived high to his right to turn the ball over.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Motherwell 0

Rangers Squad:- Kieran Wright (Gk), Kyle Bradley, Kieran Laing, Jason Krones, Aidan Wilson, Kieran Balfour, Ben Andoh, Jamie Barjonas, Sam Jamieson, Liam Burt, Grant Nelson, Andy Dallas, Dean Picken, Alex Lynn.

Youngsters Take On Newcastle United

Newcastle United were the visitors at Murray Park with Rangers taking on their English opponents at Under 9, Under 10, Under 13 and Under 14. As is norm I take in the game involving the oldest age group.

Rangers 1 Newcastle United 2

Rangers 14’s never quite managed to recover from a first period that Newcastle dominated but a better performance in the second and third periods saw them come close to squaring the game.

The visitors came close to taking the lead on nine minutes, the attack was built on the left and when the ball was cleared to the edge of the box, the shot forced a brilliant save from Darren Montgomery low to his right, the rebound was knocked into the net but the referee ruled offside. The goal was only delayed sixty seconds, a pass split the Rangers defence to send the Newcastle player through on goal, with the Rangers defence claiming offside he continued on into the box to shoot past Darren Montgomery.

The English side were dominant and a further sixty seconds had passed when the impressive No.8 strode forward before shooting narrowly over. As the quarter-hour mark approached Newcastle increased their lead, the goal was created down the right and when the cross came in a flick volley found the far top corner giving Darren Montgomery no chance.

Rangers came into the game towards the end of the period and a storming run down the left on twenty-three minutes by Aaron Reid ended with a cross that the goalkeeper fumbled but a defender was well placed to clear from in front of goal. A minute later Cammy Palmer and Carlo Pigniatiello combined to set up a shooting chance for Joseph McMullan which was only just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Two minutes into the second period a long ball was missed by the Rangers defence and it took a fine save from Darren Montgomery diving to his left to turn the ball wide and prevent a further goal. As the ten minute mark of the period approached Carlo Pigniatiello found Stephen Kelly who’s superb pass split the defence with the Newcastle keeper saving bravely at the feet of Scott Blacklaw.

Two minutes later Carlo Pigniatiello delivered a free-kick into the box and when it was cleared to the edge of the box Joseph McMullan forced a save from the keeper low to his right. Newcastle replied and created a chance on the right side of Rangers penalty area, the shot went across goal and just wide of the far post.

The opening minute of the third period saw Rangers come close to pulling a goal back, great play down the left from Matthew Shiels left two defenders in his wake, when the keeper could only knock his cross towards the back post Mati Zattafarra headed just wide of the back post. The goal to bring Rangers back into the game came eight minutes into the final period, Jack Pow fed Jordan Houston on the right and what appeared to be a cross sailed over the keeper and into the net.

Rangers were now chasing an equaliser and missed a great chance with around ten minutes remaining, a superb Jordan Houston cross from the right found Matthew Shiels arriving at the back post, but he didn’t quite connect properly with his header and the ball went wide of the post. As the final five minutes approached Aaron Mooney created a chance with his cross from the right with Jack Pow heading just wide of the near post.

The visitors ended the game on the attack and they had the final effort on goal from the right hand side of Rangers penalty area and Lewis Muir did well to hold the effort on goal.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Newcastle United 2

Rangers Squad:- Darren Montgomery (Gk), Lewis Muir (Gk), Michael Hewitt, Aaron Reid, Scott Gray, Lewis Mayo, Cammy Palmer, Scott Blacklaw, Joseph McMullan, Zak Rudden, Stephen Kelly, Carlo Pigniatiello, Jordan Houston, Matti Zattafarra, Jack Pow, Cammy Wray, Matthew Shiels, Aaron Mooney.

Footnote:- At the same time on an adjacent pitch goals from Kieran McKechnie & Niyah Joseph gave Rangers under 13’s a 2-1 win over their Newcastle United counterparts.

Home Win “Away” In Glasgow Cup

Rangers 4 Clyde 0

With Clyde relinquishing home advantage tonight’s game at Murray Park was technically an away game for Rangers Under 17’s. The Ibrox youngsters dominated from start to finish and ran out comfortable winners.

The first chance of the game came after eight minutes, Adam Wilson’s shot from distance broke off a defender to Junior Ogen and he forced a fine save from the Clyde keeper low to his left. Five minutes later the Clyde defence struggled to clear an Adam Wilson free-kick delivered from the right, the ball eventually found its way to Scot Whiteside and he was denied by the keeper who dived to his right to turn the ball wide.

Next to try his luck was Jordan Hammill who’s shot from the edge of the box was only just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. On the twenty-minute mark the Clyde keeper was called into action when he tipped Adam Wilson’s twenty-five yarder over.

Five minutes later Michael Mossie’s cross from the left side of the box found the head of Junior Ogen who headed across goal and wide of the far post. Just before the half hour Rangers took the lead, Adam Wilson played the ball up to Junior Ogen on the edge of the box, he laid it back into the path of Adam Wilson who found the net from around twenty-five yards.

Clyde eventually ventured towards Rangers goal a few minutes later but the shot from distance never troubled Robbie McCrorie who save comfortably. Rangers doubled their lead five minutes before the break, Adam Wilson played the ball out to Jordan Hammill on the right and when his low cross came into the box Junior Ogen swept the ball into the net.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Clyde 0

Rangers began the second half as they finished the first and Ross Lyon’s effort from distance in the opening minute had to be helped over by the Clyde keeper. A storming run down the left from Lewis White took him to the byline, his cutback found Ryan Hardie who beat the keeper but a defender popped up on the line to clear.

A minute later it was Ryan Hardie who got to the left hand byline when his ball into the box found Junior Ogen a goal looked certain but his finish was casual and a combination of keeper and defender kept the ball out. Rangers extended their lead on fifty-five minutes, Ross Lyon broke forward before passing to Ryan Hardie on the left side of the box, he stepped inside a defender before firing past the keeper.

Next chance came when Michael Mossie cutting in from the right  passed inside to Junior Ogen who shot just over. On sixty-five minutes Adam Wilson’s corner from the right was headed against the near post by a Clyde defender. As the game entered the final ten minutes Lewis White progressed on the left and when his pass found Junior Ogen his effort on goal was saved by the Clyde keeper.

Two minutes later Rangers scored a fourth, it was created with some skilful play on the left from Max Ashmore before he passed to Junior Ogen who shot across the keeper into the corner of the net. With five minutes to go Ryan Hardie exchanged passes on the edge of the box and just when it looked like a goal would follow he shot over. The final chance of the game came for Ryan Hardie when Max Ashmore fed him from the left and on this occasion he was denied by the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Clyde o

Rangers:- Robbie McCrorie; Jordan Hamill, Scot Whiteside, David Brownlie; Ross McCrorie (Max Ashmore 66mins), Ross Lyon (Jamie Brandon 85mins), Adam Wilson, Michael Mossie, Chris McDonald (Lewis White HT); Junior Ogen, Ryan Hardie.

Not Used:- Kieran Wright (Gk), Sam Jamieson.

Glasgow Cup 2013-14 table
	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Celtic	6	5	1	0	26	3	+23	16
Queen’s Park	4	2	2	0	10	6	+4	8
Rangers	4	2	1	1	13	5	+8	7
Partick Thistle	4	1	0	3	3	12	-9	3
Clyde	6	0	0	6	7	33	-26	0

All Square With Hibs

Rangers 1 Hibernian 1

Rangers Under 15’s drew with Hibernian on another wet night at Murray Park. Rangers took an early lead but the visitor’s got the equaliser they deserved near then end.

Rangers early goal came when Jamie Barjonas delivered a free-kick from just right of centre into a dangerous area, as the keeper came off his line a defender diverted the ball past him into the net for an Own Goal. Rangers came close again when Liam Gibson found Sam Jamieson on the edge of the box and the keeper had to dive to his left to turn the ball round the post.

The next chance came from a great Sam Jamieson run along the left hand byline and when his cutback was cleared to the edge of the box Aidan Wilson’s shot was deflected just over. Hibernian eventually had a chance to threaten the Rangers goal from a free-kick just outside the right side of the box, the shot cleared the wall but failed to trouble Kieran Wright who saved comfortably.

The final chance of the half came when Kieran Balfour won possession and tried his luck from around twenty-five yards and was only just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Hibernian 0

Rangers missed a great chance to increase their lead from the first clear chance after the break, Jamie Barjonas was the creator as he progressed along the byline on the left,his cutback found Sam Jamieson around eight yards from goal but he shot over. Hibs replied with an attack down the left and when the cross came in it was knocked just wide of the near post.

On their next attack they missed an even better chance, this time it came down the right and when the cross found an unmarked player at the back post Rangers were relieved when he shot over. The visitor’s were now having the bulk of the possession but Jamie Barjonas relieved a bit of pressure when he strode forward to shoot from distance and the ball was only just wide of the left hand post.

Hibernian got the goal their second half performance deserved with around five minutes remaining, from a through ball Jason Krones and Kieran Wright got into a mixup and with neither dealing with the danger it left the ball for the striker to fire the into the net from the edge of the box.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Hibernian 1

Rangers Squad:- Kieran Wright (Gk), Kyle Bradley, Dean Picken, Robbie Smith, Jason Krones, Aidan Wilson, Kieran Balfour, Jamie Barjonas, Sam Jamieson, Liam Gibson, Grant Nelson, Ben Andoh, Andy Dallas, Kieran Laing, Alex Lyon.

14’s Draw With Select Side

Rangers U14’s 2 SYFA Under 15’s 2

Rangers Under 14’s shared four goals with the Scottish Youth FA’s Under 15 Select in an entertaining game at a wet Murray Park tonight. The Select side took an early lead finding the back of the net after only five minutes, the attack came down the left and when the ball was cut back from the byline a powerful finish gave Lewis Muir no chance.

Ten minutes later the select side threatened again, coming in from the right the shot from the edge of the box looked netbound until Lewis Muir leapt high to his left to claw the ball away. As the end of the first period approached the Rangers youngsters turned the game around with two goals in the final three minutes. The first goal started with a Zak Rudden pass to Stephen Kelly on the edge of the box and he slipped the ball to his left for Carlo Pigniatiello to shoot across the keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Just before the whistle to end the period the ball was played in to Carlo Pigniatiello from the left and his pass released Zak Rudden inside the box, the keeper rushed from his line to make a fine block but was helpless as the ball broke for the striker to roll the ball into the net.

Nine minutes into the second period Lewis Mayo was dispossessed on the halfway line a powerful run took the attacker deep into the left side of Rangers penalty area but the attack was thwarted by a fine Lewis Muir save at the near post. Rangers replied six minutes later when they missed a great opportunity, Scott Gray and Aaron Reid combined on the left and from the former’s cross Zak Rudden looked certain to score but his header was wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

The start of the third period began with a great opportunity for Rangers to extend their lead when Zak Rudden was clear inside the box but he was denied by a fine save. At the other end when a short corner was worked on the left from the resultant cross the ball was headed narrowly over.

With seven minutes remaining the Select side drew level, when the ball was played through the right side of Rangers penalty area the attacker when down under Jack Thomson’s challenge and the referee pointed to the spot, the penalty was duly converted giving Darren Montgomery no chance. A couple of minutes later Rangers thought they had grabbed a winner, Matthew Shiels got on the end of Jordan Houston’s superb cross from the right to head past the keeper but the referee adjudged him to be in an offside position.

Ful-Time:- Rangers U14’s 2 SYFA Under 15’s 2

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Muir (Gk), Darren Montgomery (Gk), Michael Hewitt, Scott Gray, Jack Thomson, Lewis Mayo, Cammy Palmer, Carlo Pigniatiello, Scott Blacklaw, Zak Rudden, Stephen Kelly, Aaron Reid, Cammy Wray, Mati Zattafarra, Jordan Houston, Matthew Shiels, Aaron Mooney.

Warm Up Win Over Ayr United

Rangers 4 Ayr United o

Youth football is back after the festive break and Rangers Under 17’s recorded a win in  a warm up game against Ayr United in preparation for their competitive Glasgow Cup games later in the month. With Rangers lining up in an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation it was the visitors that showed the early promise.

On thirteen minutes  a run along the left hand byline created the chance with Robbie McCrorie saving the resultant shot comfortably. Three minutes later he was called into action again, this time saving bravely at the feet of the striker when Ayr attacked through the right side of the penalty area.

A minute later Robbie McCrorie failed to take a corner from the left cleanly and the Ayr centre-back headed over. The twenty-five minute mark had just passed when Rangers carried a real threat for the first time, Ryan Hardie doing the creative work on the right side of the box before cutting the ball back to Junior Ogen who’s shot was deflected just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

On the half-hour mark Jordan Hamill rose to challenge the impressive Ayr No.9 for a long ball, both players went down with head knocks, the  observers from the sidelines were then astounded to see the referee issue a straight red card to the Ayr striker for what looked like no more than a clash of heads. As is the norm in development games it meant an enforced substitution rather than a reduction to ten men/ Less than five minutes later Max Ashmore delivered a free kick from the right on to the head of Ryan Hardie but his effort was just the wrong side of the keeper’s right hand post.

Rangers were now on top and when Michael Mossie drove forward before passing to Junior Ogen on the left side of the box the striker’s effort was only just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.Two minutes before the break Rangers took the lead, Junior Ogen passed to Ryan Hardie on the right side of the Ayr United penalty area and the striker’s shot beat the keeper with the aid of a slight deflection.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Ayr United 0

Seven minutes after the break Rangers almost doubled their lead in bizarre fashion, when the Ayr keeper took a swipe at a pass back and missed, he was relieved to watch the ball roll just wide of his left hand post. The second goal was delayed until the hour mark, Adam Wilson’s free-kick from close to the halfway line on the right was delivered towards the back post where David Brownlie headed back across goal to present Ryan Hardie with a simple tap in.

The third goal followed for minutes later, when the ball was played up to Kyle Clark at the edge of the box his reverse pass opened up the defence and freed Lewis White to step into the penalty area and shoot past the keeper. The fourth goal came as the game entered the final quarter-hour, Chris McDonald showed great skill to take on two defenders at the edge of the box before slipping a pass to Michael Mossie on his right and he gave the keeper no chance with a low drive into the far corner.

The final chance came with six minutes remaining on the clock, Scot Whiteside’s pass sent Chris McDonald clear on the right, he went past the full-back and progressed along the byline, with team mates in the middle expecting a cutback he tried his luck from a tight angle and a combination of defender and keeper deflected the ball wide.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Ayr United 0

Rangers:- Robbie McCrorie; Scot Whiteside, Jordan Hammill, David Brownlie; Michael Mossie, Ross Lyon (Chris McDonald 70mins), Adam Wilson, Max Ashmore (Kyle Clark 57mins), Ross McCrorie (Lewis White 6o mins); Junior Ogen, Ryan Hardie (Jamie Brandon 64mins).