17’s Leave It Late

 

Rangers 4 Hibernian 1

Trailing at the break Rangers Under 17’s hit four in the final quarter-hour to secure a win against Hibernian at Auchenhowie this afternoon. With Nathan Patterson, Kyle McLelland, Josh McPake and Dapo Mebude on international duty with Scotland Rangers opted to go ahead with the first 17’s league fixture. Opponents Hibernian also had Kane O’Connor on Scotland duty.

It was the Edinburgh side who started the better and created a chance before the ten minute mark, Calum Yeats sent Ryan Shanley down the left and when he passed inside to Ruari Paton it took a fine block at the post from Nicky Hogarth to prevent a goal.  Less than five minutes later Hibs took the lead, Dean Cornelius and Ruari Paton combined to send the ball out to Campbell Notley wide on the right, his ball into the box found Ruari Paton who beat Nicky Hogarth with the aid of a deflection.

The half had entered the final twenty minutes when Rangers created their first real chance, when a corner from the right was cleared from the box Harris O’Connor hooked it back in and the ball broke to Jay Mack at the back post but his shot was weak and Mackenzie Watson saved. Just after the half-hour Andrew Muir sent the ball out to Ryan Shanley on the left who sent Yrik Galantes chasing into the left side of the penalty area with Nicky Hogarth coming from his line to save bravely at the attacker’s feet.

Seven Minutes before the break, Kai Kennedy took a short corner and received the ball back from Niyah Joseph before crossing to the back post where Danny Finlayson’s header was gathered at the second attempt by Mackenzie Watson.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 1

Rangers started the second half in a determined mood and there was only three minutes on the clock when Jay Mack sent Ciaran Dickson to the right hand byline his cutback found Niyah Joseph with Mackenzie Watson saving his effort. Three minutes later Kai Kennedy went past two defenders on the left hand byline before picking out Zac Butterworth with his cutback but he fired over from around the penalty spot.

On the hour mark Zac Butterworth robbed Scott Walker on the left hand byline before cutting inside and going for goal that Mackenzie Watson saved, The Hibs keeper was soon in action again, this time saving a Niyah Joseph header from a Jamie Walker left-wing cross. The visitors came close to doubling their lead with twenty minutes remaining, Calum Yeats breaking into the left side of the penalty area before being denied by Nicky Hogarth who turned his powerful shot wide of the near post.

Rangers got back on level terms just as the game entered the final quarter-hour, Kai Kennedy delivered a corner from the left and Danny Finlayson towered above everyone to power a header past Mackenzie Watson. Three minutes later Rangers were in front, Murray Miller passed to Kai Kennedy who fed Zac Butterworth inside the left side of the box and he shot across the keeper into the far corner.

With two minutes remaining Owen McGinty whipped in a free-kick ten yards from the left hand byline and Alan Higgins diverted the ball past his own keeper. In the final minute Kieran McKechnie cut in from the right, Mackenzie Watson got down to save his shot but Gregor Woods pounced on the rebound to side step the keeper and knock the ball into the net.

Rangers:- Nicky Hogarth; Jay Mack, Danny Finlayson, Harris O’Connor, Jamie Walker (Matty Yates 82 mins); Murray Miller; Jordan Critchley (John Balde 57 mins), Ciaran Dickson (Gregor Woods 89 mins); Zac Butterworth, Niyah Joseph (Owen McGinty 67 mins), Kai Kennedy (Kieran McKechnie 82 mins).

Not Used :- Brian Kinnear (Gk), Ben Williamson.

Hibernian:- Mackenzie Watson; Aidean Moffatt, Scott Walker, Alan Higgins, Calum Yeats; Dean Cornelius; Ruari Paton, Andrew Muir, Campbell Notley (Sean Quipp 67 mins), Ryan Shanley (Marc Ross 80 mins), Yrik Galantes.

Not Used:- Greg Fisher (Gk)

 

Footnote:- Earlier in the day Rangers Under 15’s recorded a 5-1 win over their Hibernian counterparts with the goals coming from Matthew Collins (2), Matthew Henderson, Aaron Lyall (2).