Friendly Win For 17’s

Rangers 3 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers Under 17’s were due to start their competitive fixtures with a home game against Aberdeen this weekend, when that game was postponed Rangers quickly arranged a friendly against Partick Thistle at Murray Park tonight. With a few players unavailable it was an opportunity for others to get valuable game time.

It looked like Rangers had taken a very early lead when Sam Jamieson headed a Kyle Clark cross from the left past the keeper but the goal was ruled out by a late linesman’s flag. The early lead did come on six minutes,a  Josh Jeffries pass released Grant Nelson inside the right side of the penalty area and he strode on to shoot past the keeper.

A minute later Kyle Clark broke towards the box and let fly from around twenty-five yards only to see his effort go just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Just before the quarter-hour mark Jamie Barjonas sent Sam Jamieson down the right his  pass inside set up Josh Jeffries but his shot went wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

On the half-hour Grant Nelson attacked the right side of the box before puling the ball back for Sam Jamieson who’s shot looked destined for the net until the keeper dived to his left to produce a fine save. The visitors hand a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box seven minutes before the break and Lewis McMinn made a comfortable save low to his right.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Partick Thistle 0

The second half started at a furious pace with three goals in the opening six minutes, yet the first opportunity in the opening minute saw a superb Sam Jamieson shot beat the keeper but bounce of the crossbar. Thistle replied immediately by attacking the right side of Rangers penalty area and their attacker round Lewis McMinn before knocking the ball into the net for the equaliser.

Barely sixty seconds had elapsed before Rangers were back in front, Sam Jamieson played the ball to Grant Nelson on the right before making his way into the box to get on the end of the return pass and shoot past the keeper from around eight yards. Those watching had to wait a full two minutes for Thistle’s second equalizer, Lewis McMinn was beaten from a  twenty-five yard free-kick,  the ball bounced of the inside of his right post and across goal where a Thistle attacker was well placed to covert the rebound.

The fast paced continued and ten minutes into the half Sam Jamieson played a one-two with Max Ashmore on the left side of the box, he tried to beat the keeper from a tight angle but the keeper stood up to make a fine parry and his defence completed the clearance. Ten minutes later Jamie Bajonas took on the Thistle defence on the left before passing inside to Sam Jamieson who was denied at close range by the keeper.

Rangers then took the lead just after the midpoint of the half, Jamie Barjonas broke towards the Thistle box before releasing Andy Dallas breaking into the right side of the penalty area and he took his time before placing the ball past the keeper. Thistle were reduced to ten men when their centre back was red carded for a reckless challenge on Jamie Barjonas that saw the Rangers midfielder leave the field unable to continue. There was one final chance in injury time when Presmyslaw Dachnowicz went past a couple of defenders of the left before finding Andy Dallas inside the box but his shot was tame and the keeper save easily.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers:- Lewis McMinn ( Kieran Wright 58mins); Jamie Brandon, Robbie Smith, Kyle Bradley, Lewis White; Josh Jeffries , Jamie Barjonas (Premyslaw Dachnowicz 80mins), Max Ashmore, Kyle Clark (Andy Dallas HT); Grant Nelson (Kieran Balfour 69 mins); Sam Jamieson ( Mohamed Niang 78mins).

Under 12’s Edge Out Older Opponents

Rangers U12’s 3 Dumbarton U13’s 2

Rangers Under 12’s continued their preparation for moving to the eleven-a-side game in the new year with a friendly against Dumbarton U 13’s at Murray Park tonight. It took the youngsters a while to get to grip with their physically bigger opponents and early exchanges produced little in the way of chances.

There was almost twenty minutes gone when the Trialist No.6 played the ball over the top of the Dumbarton defence and Aaron Lyall latched on to the ball, he progressed into the box but dragged his shot wide of the keeper’s left hand post. A similar ball over the top of the Rangers defence created a chance for the visitors and it took a superb challenge from Lorenzo Giovanazzi to clear the ball for a corner.

The next chance came when Robbie Fraser took on the Dumbarton defence as he attacked the penalty area, when challenged on the edge of the box the ball broke to the Trialist N0 11 who shot over. Five minutes before theend of the first period the same players created the best chance so far, Robbie Fraser’s pass setting up a shooting chance for the Trialist No. 11, his first effort was blocked but he followed up and his second shot was saved by the keeper’s legs.

Dumbarton capitalised on the let off by taking the lead, the attack came down the right and Jay Hogarth did well to save the initial effort but was left exposed as the visitors converted the rebound. Rangers started the 2nd period on the front foot and when Robbie Fraser played the ball to the Trialist No.11 inside the left side of the penalty area he attempted to score from a narrow angle which the keeper saved.

The second period was eight minutes old when Rangers equalised, Robbie Fraser and the Trialist No.11 combined on the left and latter’s cross found its way to Alex Lowrie on the left hand byline, from his low centre Reegan Aitken found the net from close range. Rangers continued to press and Reegan Aitken’s pass gave Trialist No 19 a chance on the left side of the penalty area, he shot across the keeper but the ball rebound clear off the far post.

With five minutes of the period remaining Rangers took the lead, the Trialist N0.20 attacked the box before exchanging passes with Reegan Aitken and he then found the net from just inside the penalty area despite the keeper getting a hand to his shot. A few minutes later Rangers increased their lead, the Trialist No.20 played the ball forward to Robbie Fraser, his pass released Reegan Aitken inside the left side of the box and he rounded the keeper before rolling the ball into the net.

In the final period two trialists combined and  come close to extending Rangers lead, Trialist No.20 setup the chance for Trialist No. 19 inside the right side of the penalty area but he shot across goal and wide of the far post. The visitors then reduced the deficit with an attack down the right and into the penalty area where Jay Hogarth was beaten with a fine shot. Neither side seriously threatened to score again and Rangers comfortably held on for a deserved win.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Dumbarton 2

Rangers Squad:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Kai Kilpatrick, Ryan Stobbo, Lorenzo Giovanazzi, Liam Morrison, Trilaist No.6, Alex Lowrie, Robbie Fraser, Aaron Lyall, Reegan Aitken, Trialist No.11, Greg Chalmers, Matthew Collins, Lewis Robertson, Adam Devine, Rhys Caves, Trialist No 19, Trialist No 20.

15’s Share Six Goals With Hibs

Rangers 3 Hibernian 3

A host of missed chances, a fine display from the Hibs and the fact that the visitors converted 75% of their chances meant Rangers Under 15’s had to settle for a draw at Murray Park this afternoon. There was only five minutes on the clock when the visitors took the lead from the penalty spot, With Rhys Breen and Jack Donaldson leaving a through ball to each other the Hibs players nipped in between them and Jack Donaldson was forced to bring him down for a clear penalty which was blasted straight down the middle and into the net. Rangers were only behind for four minutes, Zak Rudden sent Jordan Houston down the right, he skipped past a defender on the byline before picking out the Rangers centre forward who had continued his run into the box to shoot past the keeper.

Midway through the half Rangers took the lead, Jordan Houston and Mati Zata combined in midfield before the latter’s pass sent Zak Rudden through the inside left channel, he continued into the box before shooting past the keeper. Just before the half-hour a Mati Zata pass sent Zak Rudden through in a similar position, on this occasion he was thwarted by the keeper who dived to his left to save.

As the half entered the final ten minutes the Rangers defence struggled to clear a corner from the left, when the ball fell for a Hibs player his shot seemed to be heading for the top corner till Jack Donaldson threw himself high to his left to turn the ball over. Rangers replied when a Carlo Pignatiello pass sent Jordan Houston clear and into the left side of the penalty area, he opted to try to round the keeper who bravely dived and his feet and dispossessed the Rangers attacker.

A few minutes before the break Jack Thomson broke from midfield and went passed a couple of defenders before firing in a powerful shot from the edge of the box that the Hibs keeper parried before his defence cleared.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hibernian 1

Rangers created an early opportunity at the start of the second half, Jack Thomson in possession just outside the left side of the Hibs box passed inside to Reece Rintoul who’s strike forced the keeper to leap and tip the ball over. Midway through the half Jordan Houston played the ball forward on the right, Zak Rudden showed great skill with a head flick the took him clear of a defender and he headed towards the byline, his cutback picked out Reece Rintoul who’s shot was netbound until the keeper threw himself to his right to turn the ball wide.

Rangers extended their lead with seventeen minutes remaining, from a Hibernian goal-kick Stephen Kelly headed the ball back towards the penalty box, Zak Rudden outpaced the defence and broke into the box to shoot past the keeper. With the game inside the final ten minutes Hibs reduced the deficit, the attack came down the left and into the penalty area, Lewis Muir did well to block the initial effort but was left helpless as the rebound was fired into the net.

Rangers responded immediately and a superb pass found Zak Rudden deep inside the left side of the Hibs box, his shot was good and on target but he was denied by the keeper who dived to his left to touch the ball wide of the post. The visitor’s capitalised on their keeper’s excellence by drawing level with six minutes remaining, they opened up the centre of Rangers defence to create the space for a shot from around the penalty spot past Lewis Muir.

With the game entering injury time Jack Thomson passed the ball to Scott Gray out on the left, his cross beat the keeper but bounced clear off the face of the crossbar. There was still time for once last Rangers chance, Zak Rudden got to the byline on the right, his centre picked out Matthew Shiels who didn’t connect with his shot cleanly and although he beat the keeper a defender got back to clear from the line.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Hibernian 3

Rangers:- Jack Donaldson (Lewis Muir 61mins); Cammy Wray (Reece Rintoul), Lewis Mayo, Rhys Breen, Scott Gray; Mati Zata (Scott Blacklaw 61mins), Jack Thomson, Carlo Pignatiello (Stephen Kelly HT), Cammy Palmer (Matthew Shiels 33mins); Jordan Houston; Zak Rudden.

Footnote;- Meanwhile through at the Hibs Training Centre in Tranent Rangers U13’s recorded a 4-1 win, with goals from Ally Munro (2), Matt Yates & Robbie Fraser,  while the U14’s went down by 4-2. I don’t have any further details.

Glasgow Cup Dozen For Gers

Clyde 0 Rangers 12

Rangers Under 17’s found the net no fewer than twelve times in tonight’s Glasgow Cup tie, which was played at the Broadwood Complex, not in the stadium as in previous season’s but on one of the adjacent astroturf pitches. Yet it was the home side  that had the first shot on goal on two minutes from around twenty-five yards that Robbie McCrorie saved comfortably,

Five minutes later from a free-kick close to the byline on the left, Jason Krones got on the end of Jamie Barjonas’s cross but headed narrowly wide of the keeper’s left hand post. On nine minutes Sam Jamieson cut in from the right to the angle of the box before going for goal that the keeper saved comfortably.

The first goal followed within a minute, Jamie Barjonas delivered a free-kick from the left midway inside the Clyde half, as the keeper came off his line Aidan Wilson glanced a header over his head and into the net. Clyde replied within a couple of minutes, a good pass freed their attacker on the right who advanced to the angle of the box before shooting with Robbie McCrorie saving low to his right.

Rangers doubled their lead on twenty minutes and it was almost a carbon copy of the first goal, a Jamie Barjonas free-kick from almost the same position was sent into the box, on this occasion the keeper stayed but Aidan Wilson again rose highest to head into the net.

The home side tried to respond immediately with an attack down the left and when the ball was passed inside Jamie Barjonas pulled the Clyde player back as he was about to enter the penalty area, the resultant free-kick was fired against the Rangers wall and cleared easily. Rangers were soon back on the attack with Kyle Clark cutting in from the left past two defenders, his reverse pass released Sam Jamieson inside the box but he was denied by the keeper who came off his line to block.

A the half-hour mark approached the Clyde keeper took a fresh air swipe at a pass back, Grant Nelson look certain to roll the ball into the net until the Clyde defender appeared to clear the ball for a corner with a superb challenge. Rangers attacked and again and grabbed a third goal in the net attack, Kyle Clark crossed from the left hand byline, Sam Jamieson challenged with keeper and defender and when the ball was cleared to the penalty spot Grant Nelson fired into the net.

With three minutes Rangers scored again, from Max Ahsmore’s corner from the right Aidan Wilson attempted an over head kick, the ball was diverted goalwards by Jason Krones and Ross McCrorie knocked the ball over the line from close range. Rangers were now attacking at will, Ross Lyon went passed the full-back as he attacked down the right, from his cutback to the edge of the box Grant Nelson brought out a save from the keeper low to his right.

Rangers then hit Clyde with a further two goals in the final two minutes, Aidan Wilson cut in from the right to the angle of the box and sent an unstoppable shot into the far top corner of the net. Right on the whistle Kyle Clark swung a cross from the left to the back post where Aidan Wilson arrived to take a great touch before shooting past the keeper.

Half-Time:- Clyde 0 Rangers 6

Rangers started the second half the way they finished the first, by scoring two goals in as many minutes, Liam Burt’s pass sent Ross Lyon through on the right side of the box and he calmly knocked the ball past the keeper. When the ball was played up to Sam Jamieson his superb first time pass released Ross Lyon again on the right side of the penalty area and he beat the keeper with a similar finish.

Rangers scored again and Ross Lyon completed his hat-trick before the hour, he latched on to Jamie Barjonas’s lob over the Clyde defence, the keeper got a block on his initial shot but he won the race to knock the ball into the net from around a yard. Within five minutes Jamie Brandon and Kieran Balfour combined on the right before passing inside to Ross Lyon, who moved it on to Liam Burt and he beat the keeper with a superb shot from the edge of the box.

Midway through the half Liam Burt’s thirty yarder was destined for the top corner until the keeper dived high to his left to tip the ball over. The Clyde keeper was doing his best to keep the score down, Jamie Brandon’s crossfield pass saw Liam Burt take a great touch on the left side of the box, but the keeper denied him with a superb save.

At this stage it was seemed a personal duel between Liam Burt and the keeper, with the keeper again coming out on top as the game approached the final ten minutes, diving to his right to turn the midfielder’s twenty-five yarder wide of the post. With seven minutes remaining Rangers scored again, following a corner Jamie Brandon’s shot from the edge of the box was parried by the keeper but the ball went straight to Jason Krones who blasted the ball into the net.

The scoring was completed with a couple of minutes remaining, Lewis White broke forward from left-back, as he cut inside he exchanged passes before shooting across the keeper into the bottom corner.

Full-Time:- Clyde 0 Rangers 12

Rangers:- Robbie McCrorie; Aidan Wilson, Jason Krones, Ross McCrorie (Jamie Brandon 53mins), Lewis White; Ross Lyon, Jamie Barjonas (Kieran Balfour 58mins), Max Ashmore, Kyle Clark; Grant Nelson (Liam Burt HT); Sam Jamieson.

Not Used:- Kieran Wright (Gk), Andy Dallas, Zak Rudden, Jack Thomson.

Clean Sweep For Youths Over Hearts

This week’s development league games saw Rangers record four wins our of four against Hearts with the Edinburgh side failing to find the net in any of the games. With the older sides through at Riccarton my game for the day was the Under 14’s fixture at Murray Park.

Rangers 5 Hearts 0

Rangers Under 14’s turned in a fine display to run out comfortable winners, with Dapo Mebude grabbing the headlines with four goals. There was eight minutes on the clock before we seen the first real goalmouth action, Kieran McKechnie floated a free-kick from the left towards the far post and it almost crept in with the Hearts keeper reacting late to turn the ball wide. Five minutes later Andy Rodden was in possession on the left and he passed to Dylan Patterson inside the box, his layoff gave Dapo Mebude a shooting chance which the Hearts keeper gathered at the second attempt with Niyah Joseph ready pounce.

Just before the twenty-minute mark Kieran McKechnie  sent Dapo Mebude down the right and as he broke into the box the Hearts keeper came out to save bravely at the striker’s feet. The visitors came into the game as the period progressed and a few minutes before the first break an exchange of passes created a chance on the left of Rangers penalty area which was thwarted when Brian Kinnear came off his line to divert the ball wide. The resultant corner broke to the Hearts centre back on the edge of the six yard box and a goal looked certain till Andy Rodden popped up to head from the goal line.

The second period was five minutes old when Rangers took the lead, Dylan Patterson went for goal from a free-kick just outside the box and the Hearts keeper dived to his right to turn the ball wide of the post. Kieran McKechnie’s corner caused problems inside the Hearts box, Danny Finlayson kept it alive but couldn’t quite get his shot away, but when the ball broke for Dapo Mebude he found the net with a controlled finish into the keeper’s bottom right hand corner. Just after the period’s twenty-minute mark the visitors created a chance on the left side of the penalty area, just as Nicky Hogarth came off his line to narrow the angle the Hearts player missed his kick and the Rangers defence cleared easily.

With a couple of minutes of the period remaining Rangers doubled their lead from the penalty spot, Dapo Mebude was in possession just inside the left hand angle of the box with his back to goal and the referee adjudged his was bundled over by a Hearts defender, a decision that was a wee bit harsh in my opinion but the Rangers striker stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from twelve yards. The final period was in its eighth minute when Rangers scored again and Dapo Mebude completed his hat-trick, Andy Rodden got the byline on the left and when he hung across into the box the Rangers striker rose to power a header past the keeper.

Ten minutes later and he had the keeper picking the ball out of the net again, Billy Gilmour passed to Dylan Patterson on the right hand touchline , his pass released Dapo Mebude to break into the right side of the box, he took a couple of strides before drilling the ball across the keeper and into the far corner. The scoring was completed five minutes later when Andy Rodden sent a free-kick from thirty yards into the penalty area and it was missed by everyone before finding the net just inside the keeper’s left hand post.

Full-Time;- Rangers 5 Hearts 0

Rangers Squad;- Briank Kinnear (Gk), Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Ruaridh McIntyre, Andy Rodden, Danny Finlayson, Zac Butterworth, Ben Williamson, Kieran McKechnie, Billy Gilmour, Dapo Mebude, Dylan Patterson, Niyah Joseph, Lewis McGrattan, Nathan Patterson.

Footnote:- Meanwhile Rangers Under 13’s hit their Hearts counterparts for nine without reply, the goals coming from. Reegan Aitken, Stevie Bradley, Callum Biggar, Blair Rossiter, Gary Greig, Ally Munro (2), Ciaran Dickson & Kai Kennedy.

Through at Riccarton a goal form Under 15’s striker Zak Rudden gave the Under 17’s a 1-0 win. His Under 15’s colleagues recorded a 2-0 win with goals from Mati Zata & Rhys Breen.

Early Goal Enough For 17’s

Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 0

Sam Jamieson’s early goal was enough to secure victory in tonight’s Under 17’s game at Murray Park, it was a game they should have won more comfortably but failed to convert any of the one on one chances they created.

There was only seven minutes on the clock when Rangers took the lead, the goal came from what was a Jason Krones clearance that went over the Accies defence and Sam Jamieson held off a defender before advancing into the box and shooting past the keeper. The visitor’s replied with an attack down the right and when the cross landed at the left hand angle of the box the shot was just a bit too high.

On seventeen minutes Sam Jamieson out muscled a defender as they chased a long ball down the left, he then went past another defender and into the penalty area but on this occasion the keeper got the better of him , advancing from his line and blocking with his legs. Within a minute a flick on from a corner from the right almost produced an equaliser but Ross Lyon cleared from the line, the ball went to an Accies player on the edge of the box who’s shot through a crowded penalty area was saved by Robbie McCrorie.

Robbie McCrorie was called into action again on twenty-five minutes, this time coming quickly off his line to save at the striker’s feet when the ball was played through the inside right channel. Rangers had a great chance to double their lead four minutes before the break, Kyle Clark made his way along the left hand byline and the referee adjudged he was impeded and awarded what looked like a soft penalty. Max Ashmore stepped up but his shot was straight down the middle and the keeper saved comfortably.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers were first to create in the second half on seven minutes, Josh Jeffries sent the overlapping Lewis White down the left, Sam Jamieson got on the end of his cross but headed just wide of the keeper’s left hand post. As the game entered the final quarter of an hour  Jamie Brandon sent Andy Dallas through on goal, but the keeper raced from his line to block with his legs.

Soon after Andy Dallas was sent clear from the halfway line from a Ross Lyon pass but on this occasion a heavy touch allowed the keeper to race from goal to gather at the striker’s feet. The final chance came in the final minute, Kieran Balfour played a one-two with Andy Dallas on the right side of the box but his shot was straight at the keeper who saved comfortably.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie, Aidan Wilson, Lewis White, Ross McCrorie, Jason Krones, Max Ashmore, Ross Lyon Jamie Barjonas, Sam Jamieson, Josh Jeffries, Kyle Clark, Liam Burt, Jamie Brandon, Kieran Balfour, Andy Dallas.

14’s Share The Spoils With Accies

Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 1

With the school holidays coming next week this weekend’s Under 14 development fixture was brought forward and the teams met at Murray Park tonight. It was an entertaining game with a draw probably a fair result.

The visitors had the first chance on nine minutes,  a free-kick just outside the penalty area and close to the byline on the right was delivered into the box and their defender headed narrowly over. In their next attack on seventeen minutes Hamilton took the lead, their striker was sent clear with a pass through the centre of Rangers defence and he went past Nicky Hogarth before firing into the net.

Rangers were struggling to create against their physically bigger opponents, but on twenty-two minutes Billy Gilmour and Niyah Joseph combined to set up a shooting chance for Zac Butterworth, his shot lacked a bit of power and the keeper saved comfortably low to his right. The equaliser came eleven minutes into the second period, Andy Rodden sent a cross from the the left to the edge of the box, a superb take from Dylan Patterson took him past a defender and into the penalty area where he went round the keeper before scoring from a tight angle.

Accies attacked with ten minutes of the period remaining and Ruaridh McIntyre headed a cross from the left clear, it only went as far as a Hamilton attacker who shot for goal with Brian Kinnear saving comfortably low to his right. Rangers replied when Dylan Patterson broke into the left side of the box, the keeper forced him wide and when he played the ball across goal Kieran McKechnie was stretching to reach it and could only knock the ball wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers were having a dominant spell and when Hamilton cleared the ball from a corner from the left Ben Williamson left fly from twenty-five yards and with the keeper struggling the ball only just cleared the crossbar. Within sixty seconds Ben Williamson played the ball to Dylan Patterson inside the box and followed up to shoot narrowly wide of the keeper’s left hand post from the lay off.

The final chance of the period came at the other end, the ball was flicked on from a corner from the right and Nathan Patterson was well placed to head off the line. Hamilton had a great chance close to the final period turn around, a free-kick from the left broke kindly for an Accies player right in front of goal with Brian Kinnear saving bravely and his feet.

With three minutes remaining Brian Kinnear excelled with a stunning double save, Accies right-back dispossessed Kieran McKechnie midway inside Rangers half, took a couple of steps forward before going for goal, the Rangers keeper got down low to his left to parry and was quickly back on his feet to deny the striker from the rebound turning the ball wide of his right hand post from close range.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers Squad:- Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Brian Kinnear (Gk), Nathan Patterson, Andy Rodden, Aiden Gibb, Ruaridh McIntyre, Zac Butterworth, Kieran McKechnie, Billy Gilmour, Dapo Mebude, Dylan Patterson, Niyah Joseph, Trialist, Lewis McGrattan, Ben Williamson.

Development Side Loses Again

Hibernian 4 Rangers 1

Rangers Development/Under 20 squad lost their fourth in six league games at Ainslie Park last night. It was my first trip to the home of Spartans and Greg Pascazio was listed in the Rangers starting lineup, but when the teams took the field his place in defence was taken by David Brownlie wearing the number 10 shirt. Rangers started brightly but as the half progressed the home side got on top but in truth neither side were seriously threatening the others goal.

There was half-an-hour on the clock before the first real chance of the game, Jake Sinclair attacked the centre of Rangers defence and he was soon deep into the penalty area, just when it looked likely he would score a superb Sebastien Faure challenge cleared the ball for a corner. Five minutes later Sam Stanton attacked down the left and went past David Brownlie with Lee Robinson saving bravely at the Hibs player’s feet.

Just before the break Rangers lost Darren Ramsay to injury with Junior Ogen coming on to take his place in midfield.

Half-Time:- Hibernian 0 Rangers 0

Eight minutes after the break a mixup between keeper Kleton Perntreou and Neil Martynuik almost presented a goal to Ryan Hardie, as the three players converged the ball rebounded off the Rangers striker and behind for a goal-kick. Midway through the half the home side missed a great chance to take the lead, Lewis Allen crossed from the right hand byline on to the head of Scott Martin but his close range header went narrowly wide of the far post.

Rangers capitalised on that let off by going straight up the other end and taking the lead, Danny Stoney played the ball up to Ryan Hardie on the edge of the box, a superb turn took him clear of Jordan McGregor and he shot high past Kleton Perntreou. Just as the game entered the final quarter-of-an-hour Hibernian equalised. The goal was both a defensive error and exquisite finish, David Brownlie failed to gather the ball just inside his own half and when Sam Stanton gained possession he saw Lee Robinson off his line and fired the ball over the keeper and into the net off his left hand post.

Two minutes later the home side were in front, Sam Stanton cutting in from the left past two defenders before beating Lee Robinson low to his right. Hibs made the game safe with six minutes remaining, in the initial attack Alex Harris went past Kris Gibson as he attacked on the left, Lee Robinson managed to block his shot from a tight angle. Seconds later the Hibs midfielder was in possession again, this time when he cut in past Kris Gibson he had the space to prod the ball past the Rangers keeper.

A couple of minutes later David Brownlie was woefully short with a pass back allowing Sam Stanton to take the ball past Lee Robinson and roll the ball into the net to complete his hat-trick. Rangers did manage another shot on goal in the final seconds, Junior Ogen passed from right to Scott Roberts on the left hand angle of the box, he cut inside before going for goal with Kleton Perntreou diving to his left to save comfortably.

It was another disappointing performance with nobody in the Rangers team reaching the level of performance of the three Hibs players with first team experience, Danny Handling, Alex Harris and Sam Stanton.

Full-Time:- Hibernian 4 Rangers 1

Hibernian:- Kleton Perntreou; Aaron Dunsmore (Jordan Sinclair 83mins), Jordan McGregor, Neil Martyniuk, Callum Crane; Alex Harris, Scott Martin, Danny Handling, Sam Stanton; Jake Sinclair; Lewis Allen.

Not Used;-Sean Brennan (Gk), Gareth McCaffrey, Conor Duthie, Max Todd.

Rangers:- Lee Robinson; Kris Gibson, David Brownlie, Sebastien Faure, Ryan Finnie; Darren Ramsay (Junior Ogen 43mins), Kyle Hutton, Andy Murdoch, Scott Roberts; Danny Stoney, Ryan Hardie.

Not Used:- Robbie McCrorie (Gk), Adam Wilson, Jordan Hammill.

Development Teams Meet Dundee United

This weekend’s Development League games were against Dundee United, the younger teams were at Murray Park and the older teams were due to play away from home, but with Dundee United playing a youth cup tie this weekend the 17’s game was cancelled. Therefore my game for today was the Under 14’s game at Murray Park.

Rangers 5 Dundee United o

Rangers took lead on five minutes from the penalty spot, Billy Gilmour passed the ball up to Dylan Patterson on the edge of the box and burst forward to pick up his lay off, as he strode onto the box he was tripped at the referee pointed to the spot, the Rangers midfielder calmly stepped up to stroke the ball home from the spot. On twenty minutes Rangers moved the ball through Andy Rodden and Billy Gilmour from left to Kieran McKechnie on the right hand angle of the box and his shot had the United keeper stretching to tip over.

Six minutes later Rangers doubled their lead, superb skill from Dylan Patterson saw him flick the ball over the head of a defender as he broke towards the box and slipping a pass to release Kieran McKechnie on the right side of the penalty area, he shot across the keeper and into the far corner. Only a fine save denied Rangers a third in the opening minute of the second period, Lewis McGrattan sent a superb pass inside the left back to Dylan Patterson who stepped inside a defender before going for goal with the United keeper diving to his right to push the shot away.

The visitors replied when a fine pass allowed them to break down the left and into the Rangers penalty area, but the shot went across goal and wide of Brian Kinnear’s left hand post. Chances were coming along at sixty-second intervals in the early stages of the second period, the next being a superb Niyah Joseph volley from the left hand angle of the area looked destined for the net until the United keeper flew through the air to touch the ball on to the bar.

The next chance a further minute later produced Rangers third, Billy Gilmour’s pass sent Kieran McKechnie heading towards the byline on the right, from his low cross Dylan Patterson got a touch and the ball creeped in at the back post. United threatened to reduce the deficit on the period’s twenty-minute mark, their impressive No.10 sent a pass out to the right and the resultant cross found the head of their striker with Nicky Hogarth making a fine one-handed save.

A further five minutes had elapsed when Zac Butterworth went passed two defenders on the left, his low cross was met by Dylan Patterson at the near post with the keeper denying him a second goal with a point-blank save. The fourth goal was delayed barely sixty seconds, when Rangers were awarded a free-kick just outside the left side of the penalty area Kieran McKechnie steeped up to send a shot past the wall and into the far corner despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

Rangers continued to be the dominant force at the start of the third period and when Lewis McGrattan danced through the defence he looked certain to score but the United keeper dived to his right to divert the ball wide. Rangers then put a flowing move together that created another chance and just when it looked like United had survived, an attempted clearance wet back into the penalty area where Niyah Joseph controlled the ball on his chest before firing into the net.

Rangers had further chances after the final period’s turn around, Zac Butterworth knocked a United clearance back towards the penalty area where Niyah Joseph latched on to it, his attempt to place it in the far corner was thwarted by the keeper who saved low to his left. In the final minute Andy Rodden’s corner from the right found its was to Billy Gilmour at the back post who’s close range effort was blocked on the line.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Dundee United 0

Rangers Squad:- Brian Kinnear (Gk), Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Ruaridh McIntyre, Andy Rodden, Aiden Gibb, Danny Finlayson, Lewis McGrattan,  Kieran McKechnie, Billy Gilmour, Dapo Mebude, Dylan Patterson, Niyah Joseph, Ben Williamson, Zac Butterworth.

Footnote:- Rangers Under 13’s recorded a 9-4 win over United, the goals coming from Matt Yates (2), Josh Henderson (2), Steven Bradley (2) & Ally Munro (3).

14’s At Rugby Park

Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 6

Rangers Under 14’s had a comfortable win against Kilmarnock on the artificial surface at Rugby Park tonight, although it did take the Rangers youngsters a while to get going. After a goalless first period that Rangers dominated they stepped it up in the second and third period with some quality finishing.

The first goal came six minutes into the second period, Kieran McKechnie  attacked on the right, his cross eluded Dapo Mebude but found its was to Niyah Joseph beyond the far post and he lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the far corner. The second goal came right at the end of the period, Rangers moved the ball along the back four from right to Andy Rodden on the left, his cross found Billy Gilmour on the edge of the box and he found the net with another sublime lob over the keeper.

Rangers then hit Killie with two goals in two minutes early in the final period, the first came when a Lewis McGrattan pass sent Dapo Mebude through  the inside right channel and he continued into the box before hammering the ball past the keeper. The home side were punished again within sixty seconds, Lewis McGrattan intercepted a pass from defence and advanced into the box before slotting the ball past the keeper.

The third period had reached the ten minute mark when Dapo Mebude was making his way along the Killie eighteen yard line when he was tripped just inside the box, he stepped up to place the ball into the keeper’s bottom left hand corner. The scoring was completed after the final period turn around, Niyah Joseph picked up possession on the left hand angle of the box and he found the net with another controlled finish over the keeper and into the far corner.

Full-Time:- Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 6

Rangers Squad:- Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Brian Kinnear (Gk), Ruaridh McIntyre, Andy Rodden, Jamie Walker, Danny Finlayson, Lewis McGrattan, Kieran McKechnie, Zac Butterworth, Dapo Mebude, Dylan Patterson, Niyah Joseph, Ben Williamson, Billy Gilmour, Aiden Gibb.