Nuneaton Tournament

Prior to the game at Sheffield Wednesday I travelled to Nuneaton where the Under 20’s were playing against Jong PSV Einhdoven on Saturday and Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. I was able to take in the first game and half of Sunday’s game.

Rangers 1 PSV Eindhoven 3

Saturday was a tough ninety minutes against a slick and older PSV side who went on to record a similar scoreline against Liverpool U23’s and win the tournament. The Rangers starting line up was made up of six U19’s , four U18’s and Ryan Hardie who is now U21 in football terms. The six subs were of a similar mix U18’s & 19’s with U20 Ross McCrorie.

PSV fielded two different outfield tens in the match, first have five U19’s, one U20, three U21’s and a 24-year-old. Their second half lineup was slightly younger with one U21, four U20’s and five U19’s.

Rangers were pinned back in the early stages and PSV missed a great chance on ten minutes, Mauro Junior provided the through ball  for Dani Van Der Moot to shoot wide of Aidan McAdams right hand post. A couple of minutes later Leanandro Fernandes just right of centre on the edge of the box, passed inside to Marcel Ritzmaier who’s shot forced Aidan McAdams to tip over.

The Dutch side took the lead just after the midpoint of the first half, there seemed little danger when their Brazilian winger Mauro Junior picked up the ball fully thirty yards from goal until he fired a superb shot past Aidan McAdams and into the keeper’s top right hand corner. Ten minutes later it was two, a cutback from the right hand byline teed up Dani Van Der Moot, he miscued his shot but it went straight to Matthias Verreth almost on the goal line and his back heel squirmed past Aidan McAdams.

Rangers came close to pulling a goal back on the stroke of half time, Jamie Barjonas free-kick from the right was headed from the box where Izzak Ahmed fired in a powerful shot that had Mike Van De Meulenhof diving to his left to parry.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 PSV Eindhoven 2

Rangers had a major let off early in the second half, Kieran Wright’s attempted pass went straight to Cody Gakpo, he teed up Justin Lonwijk who was denied by a superb block from Cammy Palmer, the ball went back to Cody Gakpo who’s effort rebounded of Kieran Wright’s right hand post. Rangers responded immediately when Jamie Barjonas sent Ryan Hardie down the left, he turned a defender inside the left side of the penalty area with Mike Van De Meulenhof blocking the shot with his left foot.

With ten minutes of the half elapsed Andy Dallas won possession inside the PSV penalty area and passed to Ryan Hardie but with the goal at his mercy he shot wide of the keeper’s left hand post. PSV carved open Rangers defence just after the hour, Lennerd Daneels, Philippe Rommens and Baggio Wellenburg combined but Lennard Daneels shot straight at Kieran Wright.

At the midpoint of the half Ryan Hardie robbed Gokhan Hardes and passed to Serge Atakayi but a poor first touch allowed the ball to run through to the keeper. Around seven minutes later the winger had another great chance, Cammy Palmer winning possession and setting Serge Atakayi free but fired over when in a good position.

PSV relieved the period of Rangers pressure by scoring a third, Philippe Rommens firing a free-kick over the wall and past Kieran Wright. Rangers got the goal their play deserved with eight minutes remaining, Jamie Barjonas passed to Zak Rudden wide left and his cross come shot evaded all to find the net at the far post.

PSV were soon back on the attack with Cody Gakpo breaking down the left, he passed in side to Lennard Daneels who moved the ball on to Joey Konings and it took a good Kieran Wright save to prevent a fourth. Rangers came close to reducing the deficit to a singe goal when Ryan Hardie passed to Zak Rudden his curled shot was heading inside the post until Mike Van De Muelenhof dived to his left to produce a brilliant save.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 PSV Eindhoven 3

Rangers:- Aidan McAdams (Kieran Wright HT); Jordan Houston (Michael Hewitt 68 mins), Aidan Wilson (Ross McCrorie HT), Lewis Mayo (Jack Thomson 73 mins), Myles Beerman; Cammy Palmer; Jamie Barjonas, Izzak Ahmed (Jordan Thompson 73 mins); Andy Dallas (Zak Rudden 63 mins), Ryan Hardie, Serge Atakayi.

Not Used:- Scott Gray, Matthew Shiels, Grant Nelson.

PSV 1st Half:- Mike Van De Meulenhof; Dirk Abels, Jordan Teze, Suently Alberto, Wesly Decas; Laros Duarte; Leandeo Fernandes, Marcel Ritzmaier; Mauro Junior, Dani Van Der Moot, Matthias Verreth.

PSV 2nd Half:- Mike Van De Meulenhof; Baggio Wallenburg, Gokhan Kardes, Armando Obispo, Jurich Carolina; Philippe Rommens; Jaell Hattu, Justin Lonwijk; Lennerd Daneels, Joey Konings, Cody Gakpo.