Heavy Defeat For 20’s

Annan Athletic 5 Rangers 2

Rangers Under 20’s/reserves promising pre-season came down earth with a bump, going down heavily to Annan Athletic in Steven Sloan’s Testimonial last night. Rangers never recovered from a poor first half and despite improvements after the break Annan ran out comfortable winners.

The home side took the lead after seven minutes, Liam Kelly started to come for Steven Black’s long ball but hesitated on the edge of his box giving Stuart McColm time and space to lob the ball over his head and into the net. Rangers then had a let-off just over ten minutes later, Stuart McColm’s corner from the right found the head of Peter Weatherston and the ball bounced off Liam Kelly’s left hand post with the keeper beaten.

The game had just passed the half-hour mark when the home side increased their lead, Martin McNiff’s cross from the left went all the way to Rabin Omar inside the right side of the penalty area and his shot found the net via the inside of the far post. At this stage Rangers best had been a couple of tame efforts that former Rangers keeper Blair Currie dealt with comfortably. Seven minutes before the break Ryan Sinnamon in possession wide right passed inside to Darren Ramsay on the angle of the box, he cut inside before shooting just wide of Blair Currie’s left hand post.

Within three minutes Annan increased their lead, Matty Flynn attacked the centre Rangers defence before exchanging passes with Peter Weatherston and beating Liam Kelly with a neat finish.

Half-Time:- Annan Athletic 3 Rangers 0

There was less than five minutes of the second half gone when Rangers pulled a goal back, Scott Roberts corner from the left found a late run into the box from Ross McCrorie and got to the ball ahead of Blair Currie to head into the net. Rangers came close again soon after, Ryan Sinnamon attacked down the right before passing to Darren Ramsay on the edge of the box, the ball was laid back into the path of Dylan Dykes who shot narrowly over.

The Ibrox youngsters created and missed a further chance just after the hour, Ryan Hardie held the ball up midway inside the Annan half and laid it back to Darren Ramsay, his pass freed Scott Roberts breaking into the left side of the penalty area but he shot across goal and wide of the far post. The home side increased their lead midway through the half, Luca Gasparotto should have dealt with a ball heading towards the corner flag on the left but he was robbed of possession by Smart Osadolor who continued along the byline before shooting past Liam Kelly.

Annan came close to a fifth goal within a couple of minutes, Josh Todd attacked the left side of the box and the ball was moved across the area via Smart Osadolor to Jamie Watson who’s shot beat Liam Kelly but was headed off the goal line by Ross McCrorie. As the game entered the final quarter-hour Rangers grabbed a second with their best move of the night, Andy Murdoch played a one-two with Dylan Dykes on the right side of the box that took him to the byline, his low cross was fired past Blair Currie by Scott Roberts.

Within a couple of minutes a quick corner on the right presented a shooting chance for Josh Jeffries from the angle of the box that flashed across goal and wide of the far post. Annan responded by scoring a fifth goal with nine minutes remaining, Dan Wadge got to the byline on the left and his cutback was slammed past Liam Kelly by Smart Osalodor. Rangers had a chance in the final minute to put a better reflection on the scoreline, Max Ashmore picked out the unmarked Ross McCrorie with a pass from just inside the Annan half, with the goal gaping the Rangers defender volleyed over.

Full-Time:- Annan Athletic 5 Rangers 2

Annan Athletic Squad:- Blair Currie (Gk), Jordan Hart (Gk), Steven Black, Steven Swinglehurst, Martin McNiff, Peter Watson, Steven Sloan, Rabin Omar, Matty Flynn, Peter Weatherston, Josh Todd, Stuart McColm, Smart Osalodor, Connor Liddell, Dan Wadge, Jamie Watson, Scott Norman, Benji Wagner, Greg MacDonald, Dan Wood.

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon (Max Ashmore 63mins), Craig Halkett (Ross McCrorie HT), Luca Gasparotto, Lewis White; Andy Murdoch; Ross Lyon (Josh Jeffries HT), Robbie Crawford (Dylan Dykes HT); Darren Ramsay (Danny Stoney 63mins), Ryan Hardie, Callum Gallagher (Scott Roberts HT).

Not Used:- Kieran Wright (Gk).

Milk Cup Warm Up For 16’s

Rangers 4 Partick Thistle 1

Rangers Under 16’s took on Partick Thistle in a friendly at Murray Park tonight, it was a final warm up before they head to Northern Ireland for the Milk Cup next week. A series of missed chances when almost proved costly when Thistle missed a great chance of their own as the game entered the final quarter-hour. Rangers responded by adding two further goals that put a more accurate reflection on the ninety minutes.

The first opportunity came when Carlo Pignatiello passed to Zak Rudden on the halfway line, the striker headed towards the Thistle box before passing to Jordan Houston breaking into the right side of the penalty area, his shot went across the face of goal and wide of the far post. Rangers should have taken the lead soon after when Zak Rudden outstripped the Thistle defence down the right, when he entered the box he shot for goal with the Thistle keeper standing up to make a fine save.

The goal came on the sixth minute, Cammy Palmer’s pass sent Zak Rudden through the inside right channel and when he got into the box he unselfishly rolled the ball across goal for Matthew Shiels to knock the ball into the net. Thistle threatened five minutes later, the Trialist keeper was late in seeing the shot from the edge of the box but got down to his right to make the save.

Midway through the half a Matthew Shiels pass sent Zak Rudden clear in the inside left position but he screwed his shot wide of the near post. Just after the half-hour Scott Gray tried to catch the keeper out from a free- kick wide on the right but he reacted to turn the ball wide of his near post.

Rangers then missed two great opportunities to increase their lead, Zak Rudden’s pass sent Matthew Shiels through, when he cut inside a defender deep inside the penalty area a goal looked certain, but again the keeper stood up to make another fine save. Just before the break some good skill took Carlo Pignatiello  clear of two defenders in midfield before threading a pass through to Matthew Shiels, he tried to prod the ball past the advancing keeper who got down to his left to save.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Partick Thistle 0

Rangers didn’t have to wait long after the break before increasing their lead, Jordan Houston turned past a defender on the left side of the box, with his shot taking a significant deflection that totally wrong footed the keeper and ended up in the net. Within sixty seconds the ball was won by Mati Zata and moved onto  Stephen Kelly who setup Zak Rudden on the left side of the box, the keeper dived to his left to get a touch and a defender completed the clearance from just in front of goal.

The next attack came on the right side of the box Mati Zata exchanging passes with Zak Rudden before forcing a save from the keeper. Thistle replied with a superb twenty-five yard drive the beat the Trialist keeper before crashing off the underside of the bar.

Rangers were soon back on the attack, a Scott Gray pass sent Zak Rudden down the left, with possibly better options in the centre he shot from a narrow angle with the keeper saving at the near post. Thistle reduced the deficit on seventy-six minutes, the ball was moved in from the left and the powerful strike from the edge of the box gave Lewis Muir no chance.

Rangers reacted with a Zack Butterworth pass sending Premyslaw Dachnowicz attacking through the centre, he went past a defender on the edge of the box before going for goal with the keeper stretching to tip his shot over. Thistle then missed a glorious chance to equalise, the ball was worked out to wide right and when the cross came to an unmarked player at the back post he headed over with the goal gaping.

Rangers then restored their two goal cushion three minutes later, Zack Butterworth attacked down the left, his pass into the box found Cammy Palmer who laid the ball back to Premyslaw Dachnowicz who found the net from just inside the box. A Carlo Pignatiello pass then sent Dapo Mebude through on the right with the Thistle keeper doing well to block his shot with his legs.

Rangers completed the scoring with a well worked goal with a couple of minutes remaining, Dapo Mebude passed to Michael Hewitt wide on the right, he passed inside to Josh McPake who picked out Cammy Palmer’s run into the box and he continued to beat the keeper from close range.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Partick Thistle 1

Rangers Squad:- Trialist (Gk), Lewis Muir (Gk), Jordan Houston, Scott Gray, Cammy Palmer, Lewis Mayo, Rhys Breen, Carlo Pignatiello, Mati Zata, Zak Rudden, Stephen Kelly, Matthew Shiels, Michael Hewitt, Premyslaw Dachnowicz, Scott Blacklaw, Dapo Mebude, Zack Butterworth, Josh McPake.

14’s Open With A Win

Rangers 4 Ayr United 2

Ahead of tournaments at Sheffield, Ireland and Newcastle Rangers Under 14’s supplemented by an Under 15 goalkeeper and two Under 15 trialists opened their pre-season with a win over Ayr United’s 15’s this afternoon. It was interesting to note that they lined up with a similar formation used by the Under 20’s so far this season.

Rangers had the first real chance after seven minutes, Kai Kennedy passed to Josh Black inside the penalty area, he cut inside a defender before forcing a fine save from the Ayr keeper low to his left. Just after the ten minute mark Ayr broke through the centre of the Rangers defence with Nicky Hogarth advancing quickly from his line to make a fine block.

Rangers responded immediately by taking the lead, a superb Matty Yates pass switched the play from the left sending Simon Miller through on the right, the Ayr keeper could only knock his shot up in the air presenting Josh Black with the simple task of nodding the ball into the empty net. Ayr had another opportunity with ten minutes of the period remaining, the attack coming into the right side of Rangers penalty area which was again thwarted by Nicky Hogarth standing tall to make another block.

Five minutes later Rangers doubled their lead, Simon Miller’s pass sent Blair Rossiter off in a race with the keeper and the Rangers player showed bravery to get there first, prodding the ball past the keeper and into the net. Nicky Hogarth was called into action again just before the period ended, this time he was unsighted as the shot came through a defenders legs but he reacted well to block the shot with his foot.

The visitors started the second period on the front foot and Nicky Hogarth had to get down to his left to save a shot from the edge of the box in the opening minute. He was called into action again when a cross from the right hand byline was headed goalwards and he stretched to turn the ball wide of his left hand post.

When the resultant corner was cleared Ayr moved the ball quickly from the right side of the box across to the left from where Nicky Hogarth was left exposed and eventually beaten by a fine shot. Rangers first real effort of the period came when Kai Kennedy just outside the right side of the box moved the ball across to Matty Yates on the left side who shot narrowly over.

Within sixty seconds Matty Yates wide on the left passed inside to Ciaran Dickson who waltzed past two defenders deep into the left side of the penalty area, but his shot was across goal and only just wide of the far post. Ayr were to capitalise on that missed chance by drawing level, a solo run on the left side of the box opened up the space for the player to roll the ball across goal and give his colleague a simple tap in.

Five minutes before the period ended Lewis Budinauckas delayed a clearance and almost got caught but recovered to make a brave save and ensure the teams went in level at the end of the second period. Rangers took less than five minutes of the final period to regain the lead Kai Kennedy’s pass splitting the defence and sending Simon Miller through the inside right channel, he continued into the box before shooting past the keeper.

Ayr then missed a great chance to draw level again when they capitalised on slackness to break through the middle but their attacker screwed his shot wide. The Rangers youngsters then made the game safe with a couple of minutes remaining, Kai Kennedy moved the ball forward to Callum Biggar and his pass sent Simon Miller through on the left side of the box to shoot across the keeper and into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Ayr United 2

Rangers Squad:- Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Ally Munro, Callum Biggar, Ciaran Dickson, Robbie Hillis, Kyle McLelland, Simon Miller, Kai Kennedy, Josh Black, Blair Rossiter, Matty Yates, Josh Henderson, Ryan Muir.

Impressive Win For 20’s

Rangers 5 Arbroath 0

Rangers Under 20’s stepped up their pre-season with an impressive win against League 2 side Arbroath at Murray Park tonight. The side was bolstered with the addition of a few player that have been with the first team and they controlled the game with some great play and not a long ball into the channels all night.

Unfortunately note paper, pen and heavy rain don’t mix too well and my report as the second half wore on became a bit curtailed. Rangers came close to taking the lead in the opening minute, Callum Gallagher attacked through the centre moving from right to left, when he entered the penalty area his shot was headed for the top corner until Allan Fleming leapt high to his right to turn the ball over and wide.

The watching crowd only had to wait a further five minutes for the opening goal, Ryan Sinnamon attacked down the right, he passed inside to Callum Gallagher who broke into the right side of the box before shooting across Allan Fleming and into the far corner. That strike was bettered with a brilliant second goal, Andy Murdoch played a one-two with Lewis White on the left hand angle of the box before curling a superb shot round Allan Fleming into the far top corner.

Arbroath’s only noteworthy effort came not long after the half’s midpoint when David Gold cut in from the left before shooting from the edge of the box that had Liam Kelly diving to his left to parry.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Arbroath 0

It didn’t take Rangers long to increase their lead with the third goal coming seven minutes after the break, when the ball was played out to Robbie Crawford on the left his first time pass sent Lewis White towards the byline, his low cross was turned past Allan Fleming by Graham Hay for an Own Goal. Rangers fourth goal came following a short corner on the left and from Robbie Crawford’s cross Tom Lang rose to bullet a header past Allan Fleming.

The fifth goal came just after the hour mark, Jamie Brandon was in possession midway inside the Arbroath half, he moved the ball on to Josh Jeffries who setup Darren Ramsay who’s unstoppable twenty-five yarder gave Allan Fleming no chance. Rangers looked most likely to add to the scoring with Danny Stoney and Darren Ramsay coming close. Arbroath did manage a couple of shots on target but they gave Liam Kelly little trouble.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Arbroath 0

Rangers:- Liam Kelly; Ryan Sinnamon (David Brownlie), Luca Gaparotto (Tom Lang), Ross McCrorie (Craig Halkett), Lewis White (Graham Bryan); Max Ashmore (Dylan Dykes); Andy Murdoch (Jamie Brandon), Ross Lyon (Josh Jeffries); Scott Roberts (Darren Ramsay), Callum Gallagher (Danny Stoney) Robbie Crawford.

Not Used:- Robbie McCrorie.

Arbroath Squad:- Allan Fleming (Gk), Callum Brodie (Gk), Craig Wilson, Jonathan Lowdon, Ricky Little, Graham Hay, Jamie Clarke, Bobby Linn, David Gold, Lewis Coult, Kieran Stewart, Jamie Reid, Kane Hester, Martin Grehan, Kieran McWalter, Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D.

20’s Hit Tynecastle For Six

Rangers 6 Tynecastle FC 0

Rangers Under 20’s took on East Of Scotland League side Tynecastle FC, coached by Rangers player Lee Wallace and with former Rangers youth player Robbie McIntyre in their line up. With Mark Warburton on the sidelines keeping an eye on this game and the 17’s game on an adjacent pitch it was a comfortable win for Ian Durrant’s side.

The first chance came around the ten minute mark, Darren Ramsay and Scott Roberts combined to play in Ross Lyon inside the left side of the penalty area but he placed his shot wide of the far post. Rangers made the break through midway through the first half, Danny Stoney in possession outside the right side of the box laid the ball back to Scott Roberts who tried to pick his spot, but his controlled shot bounced off the keeper’s right hand post but into the path of Ross Lyon who fired into the net.

A second goal followed a couple of minutes later, Jack Parr attacked the right side of the penalty area before passing inside for Danny Stoney to shoot past the keeper. Around the half-hour mark Darren Ramsay passed in from the right to Scott Roberts who picked out Lewis White arriving in the box but he shot across goal and wide of the post.

The next chance was created with a Ross Lyon pass inside the left-back to release Scott Roberts inside the box, but he shot across the face of goal and wide of the far post. Rangers started to create more chances as the break approached, Danny Stoney fed Scott Roberts wide on the right, he picked out Darren Ramsay but again the shot was across goal and wide.

Five minutes before the break the visitors missed a great chance to reduce the deficit, a corner from the right found their centre back unmarked beyond the far post but he could only volley into the side netting. Rangers responded by increasing their lead, Ross Lyon and Danny Stoney combined to send Scott Roberts through on the right side of the penalty area and this time he made no mistake as he shot past the keeper.

There was still time for a further Rangers goal before the break, when Ross McCrorie headed the ball forward and into the Tynecastle box Scott Roberts showed good technique to control the ball and turn before shooting into the net.

Half-Time:- Rangers 4 Tyncastle FC 0

There was scarcely ten minutes of the second half gone when Rangers scored again, Josh Jeffries sent Jamie Brandon towards the byline on the right and his cutback was knocked into the net from close range by Darren Ramsay. Rangers continued to dominate but their finishing was either wide or blocked by a defender. When the clock reached seventy minutes Tynecastle created a chance through the right side of the box, Robbie McCrorie was quick from his line to make a block and Tom Lang was well placed to comfortably stop the rebound on the line and bring the ball clear.

Another similar attack from the visitors forced another save from Robbie McCrorie this time low to his left. Within sixty seconds the scoring was complete, Lewis White passed to Josh Jeffries twenty-five yards from goal and his shot found the keeper’s bottom left hand corner.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Tynecastle FC 0

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie (Gk), Ross McCrorie, Lewis White, Max Ashmore, Craig Halkett, David Brownlie, Darren Ramsay, Jack Parr, Danny Stoney, Ross Lyon, Scott Roberts, Luca Gasparotto, Tom Lang, Dylan Dykes, Jordan Gibson, Jamie Brandon, Graham Bryan.

Footnote:- On the adjacent pitch Rangers 17’s drew 2-2 with Ayr United 18’s. Rangers goals coming from Andy Dallas and Kyle Bradley.

20’s Open With Friendly Win

Rangers 4 Dumbarton 0

Rangers 20’s recorded a comfortable win over their Dumbarton counterparts in their opening pre-season game at Murray Park this afternoon. The Rangers youngsters were always in control against a Dumbarton side that included the experienced Pedro Moutinho as a trialist.

A cross field pass on twelve minutes looked certain to produce the opening goal, the ball was controlled by Darren Ramsay deep inside the right side of the Dumbarton penalty area, when he cut inside the trialist left-back the goal opened up but he was denied by a superb Jamie Ewings save who turned the ball on to the crossbar. A minute later Rangers hit the wood work again, a short corner from the right was laid back to Ross McCrorie and his cross to the back post bounced of the face of the crossbar.

On twenty-six minutes Josh Jeffries and Ross Lyon combined to set up Jack Parr inside the left side of the box but he shot over from a good position. Rangers then broke the deadlock just after the half hour, Jack Parr and Darren Ramsay combined to tee up Scott Roberts inside the left side of the penalty area who shot past Jamie Ewings.

Six minutes before the break Darren Ramsay’s pass inside the left back released Ross McCrorie inside the right side of the penalty area and his effort was saved by Jamie Ewings at his near post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Dumbarton 0

Rangers first threatened seven minutes after the break, Darren Ramsay flicked on Ross McCrorie’s cross from the right with Danny Stoney stretching to knock the ball just wide at the far post. Four minutes later Rangers doubled their lead, Scott Roberts won the ball in midfield before feeding Danny Stoney inside the left side of the box, the striker held off a defender to make space and shoot past Jamie Ewings.

As the half approached the twenty-minute mark Jamie Brandon passed to Darren Ramsay inside the right side of the penalty area and his effort had Jamie Ewings diving to his right to turn the ball wide of the far post.Rangers increased their lead in the seventieth minute, the goal came direct from a free-kick just outside the right side of the penalty area, with most expecting a cross Darren Ramsay went for goal and caught out Jamie Ewings who was stranded as the ball hit the back of the net.

The scoring was completed with seven minutes remaining, Jack Parr took on a defender inside the right side of the box and was brought down, Dylan Dykes stepped up to beat Jamie Ewings low to his left.

Rangers 4 Dumbarton 0

Rangers Squad:- Robbie McCrorie (Gk), Kieran Wright (Gk), Ross McCrorie, Lewis White, Max Ashmore, Tom Lang, Luca Gasparotto, Darren Ramsay, Josh Jeffries, Jack Parr, Ross Lyon, Scott Roberts, Craig Halkett, David Brownlie, Dylan Dykes, Danny Stoney, Jamie Brandon.

Dumbarton Squad:- Jamie Ewings (Gk), Nathan Adger (Gk), Chris Martin, Trialist, Danny Lightbody, Stuart Fyfe Keir Whitfield, Trialist, Matthew Beckett, Andy Biddulph, Pedro Mountinho, John Cunningham, ????? Pior, Brian Cameron, ????? Gray.