16’s Edge Out Morton

Rangers 1 Morton 0

Rangers Under 16’s edged out Morton in an entertaining game at Murray Park last night, it was a pretty even game which was settled by Niyah Joseph’s second half strike. There was early drama before the game kicked off when the Morton keeper got injured in the warm up. As a result Lewis Budinaukas lined up for Rangers in the first half while Nicky Hogarth was between the sticks for Morton, with the keepers changing sides at half-time.

The visitor’s had an early chance with an attack started down the left, when the ball into the box arrived at the back post the shot flashed across goal and wide of the far post. Rangers best chance came ten minutes before the break when Lewis McGrattan’s pass sent Izzak Ahmed through with Nicky Hogarth advancing from his line to make a brave save and the midfielder’s feet.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Morton 0

Like the first half it was Morton who threatened first, working a short corner on the left they moving along the byline before forcing a save from Nicky Hogarth at the near post. Rangers replied just after the hour when Nathan Patterson hit the right hand byline his cross was cleared as far as Ross Young who fired narrowly over.

Midway through the half Niyah Joeseph was played through into the right side of the penalty area only to be denied by Lewis Budinauckas with a fine save, diving high to his left to turn the ball over. The deadlock was broken within five minutes. John Balde crossed from the left and beyond the far post where Matty Yates knocked it back across goal giving Niyah Joseph a simple finish from close range.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Morton 0

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Nathan Patterson, Jamie Walker, Ben Williamson, Aiden Gibb, Jay Mack, Lewis McGrattan, Gregor Woods, Owen McGinty, Izzak Ahmed, Kieran McKechnie, Harris O’Connor, Kai Kennedy, Murray Miller, John Balde, Ross Young, Matty Yates, Niyah Joseph.