Development Side Win at Benfica

SL Benfica 2 Rangers 3

A couple of days away from the Scottish weather in the great city of Lisbon and the thermometer nearing 20C, coupled with a game at Estadio Da Luz to watch Benfica play Vitoria Setubal (6~0 for Benfica) and finish off on the Monday watching Rangers Development side take on their Benfica counter parts at the Caixa Futebol Campus. What is there not to like about that.

When Cammy Palmer was fouled in the third minute twenty-five yards from goal Jordan Thompson stepped up to strike a shot just wide of the keepers left hand post. The home side replied with a free kick of their own from thirty yards and left of centre, from the cross it was nodded on and the ball bounced off the crossbar on the way over.

Jack Thomson then sent the ball over the top of the Benfica defence and the keeper raced from his box to clear from the onrushing  Zak Rudden. Five minutes later Jack Thomson headed the ball forward to Cammy Palmer who played it wide left to Serge Atakayi, he passed inside to Zak Rudden who shot straight at the keeper.

Rangers then missed a great chance on the twenty-minute mark, the ball was worked to Andy Dallas wide on the right, he advanced deep into the Benfica penalty area before playing the ball low across goal to Zak Rudden at the back post but with the goal at his mercy he shot wide. Rangers next attack saw Jordan Thompson cross from the left and the ball went to Serge Atakayi beyond the back post, he looked up to pick out Stephen Kelly and his effort had the keeper stretching to tip over.

From Rangers corner Benfica broke quickly and a couple of passes saw them clear inside the right side of Rangers penalty area but the shot was straight at Aidan McAdams. Rangers capitalised by taking the lead just before the half hour. Serge Atakayi sent Zak Rudden down the left and his low cross into the box was converted by the unmarked Andy Dallas.

A slack, high pass from Cammy Palmer had Aidan Wilson under pressure and when he was beaten to the ball in the air Benfica were free inside the right side of the box but shot into the side netting. The home side then drew level when a free kick from wide left was delivered into the box and Zak Rudden diverted a header beyond Aidan McAdams for an Own Goal.

Straight from the kick off Rangers were back in front with Zak Rudden supplying the pass that sent Andy Dallas clear, he continued into the box to calmly beat the keeper. Rangers could have extended their lead before the break when Aidan Wilson switched play to Serge Atakyi wide on the left, he cut inside before forcing the keeper to save at the near post.

Half Time: SL Benfica 1 Rangers 2

There was under ten minutes of the second half on the clock when Benfica drew level in controversial circumstances. Their attack took them to the right hand byline and the shot from the cutback went across goal and was knocked into the net from almost on the goal line. With two Benfica coaches on linesman duty no flag was fourth coming despite the Rangers players protests. The home side then carved out a chance on the right hand angle of the box that forced Aidan McAdams to get down to his left to make the save.

Ten minutes later Zak Rudden and Stephen Kelly combined on the right to send the ball into the box where a defender cleared it to the left hand angle but only as far as Kyle Bradley and his drive forced the keeper to tip over. With eight minutes remaining Rangers took the lead, Dapo Mebude showed great tenacity to win the ball wide on the left, he passed to Stephen Kelly who switched the play to Serge Atakayi on the right side of the penalty area where he cut inside a defender before firing a shot across the keeper and into the far top corner.

With five minutes remaining Jordan Thompson played a one two with Serge Atakayi on the right side of the box and his shot forced a save from the keeper diving to his left. Benfica then threw everything forward including the keeper for set plays. Despite a couple of dubious free kick awards and six minutes of added time they failed to trouble the Rangers defence. Deep into injury time Mati Zata broke forward and his twenty-five yarder was parried by the keeper with Kai Kennedy following up to net from the rebound, only to be flagged offside by the Benfica coach.

Full Time: SL Benfica 2 Rangers 3

Rangers: Aidan McAdams; Kyle Bradley (Dapo Mebude 75 mins), Aidan Wilson,  Lewis Mayo, Jordan Thompson (Mati Zata 88 mins); Cammy Palmer; Jack Thomson (Jordan Houston 58 mins), Stephen Kelly (Kai Kennedy 89 mins); Andy Dallas, Zak Rudden, Serge Atakayi (Zac Butterworth 85 mins).

Not Used: Kieran Wright (Gk)

 

16’s Draw With Queen’s Park

Rangers 2 Queen’s Park 2

In the latest of these informal “Under 16’s” games Rangers shared four goals with Queen’s Park tonight at Auchenhowie. The Rangers squad was made up of 15’s and 16’s with one Under 17 and they used the opportunity to give Under 18 Jordan Houston thirty minutes after a four-month injury lay off.

Rangers took the lead after only four minutes, Robbie Fraser passed to Ryan Muir wide on the right and he moved it forward to Tom Henderson who’s cross was converted by Adam Mansouri. Just after the half hour Robbie Fraser again fed Ryan Muir on the right and when he got to the byline he looked up and picked out Cole McKinnon but he miss hit his shot and the keeper saved comfortably.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Queen’s Park 0

Rangers doubled their lead before the ten minute mark of the second half, Robbie Fraser swung in a free-kick from wide on the right and Cole McKinnon rose to head past the keeper. The visitors then created a chance with an attack into the right side of Rangers penalty area with Jay Hogarth saving with his foot.

Queen’s then hit Rangers with two goals in as many minutes around the midpoint of the half. The first was a solo effort cutting in from the left past two Rangers defenders and shooting low past Jay Hogarth. The next attack came through the middle and when their striker turned Mark Woods he was tripped and the referee pointed to the spot and the penalty was confidently converted.

The chance to win the game came to Queen’s Park with an attack into the left side of Rangers penalty area and it took a brave save from Jay Hogarth at the feet of the attacker to prevent a goal.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Queen’s Park 2

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas (Jay Hogarth HT); Ryan Muir, Ally Monro, Jordan Houston (Euan Deveney 30 mins), Jamie Walker (Leon King HT); Robbie Fraser (Mark Woods 62 mins); Cole McKinnon, Callum Biggar; Tom Henderson (Alex Lowrie 62 mins), Adam Mansouri (Rhys Caves 54 mins), Darren Watterson.

 

Development Side Advance In The Cup

Rangers 5 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers Development side found it difficult to overcome Partick Thistle in tonight’s Youth Cup tie at Ibrox. They struggled to get going in a poor first half and then when they did get in front they managed to lose a two goal lead before putting the game to bed in extra time.

Thistle were first to threaten on seven minutes when Mark Lamont attacked the centre of the box but his shot was weak and Kieran Wright saved comfortably. Two minutes later Stephen Kelly, Zak Rudden and Jamie Barjonas combined to work a short corner on the left, Zak Rudden’s effort from a tight angle was cleared from the line by Jason Krones at the back post.

Midway through the half Jamie Barjonas strong challenge just inside the Thistle half saw the ball break to Serge Atakayi on the edge of the box but he shot straight at Jamie Stevenson.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Partick Thistle 0

The second half was less than five minutes old when Rangers took the lead, Cammy Palmer latched on to Harry Granger’s clearance and his first time pass sent Zak Rudden through to slot the ball past Jamie Stevenson. The second goal came with twenty minutes remaining, Stephen Kelly  on the left picked out Andy Dallas inside the box and he turned before shooting past the keeper.

Within a couple of minutes it should have been three, Cammy Palmer won the ball and passed to Zak Rudden who sent Andy Dallas clear but as he tried to round Jamie Stevenson the keeper saved at his feet. With the final quarter-hour approaching Callum Wilson was challenged by Matthew Shiels as he broke into the right side of the box and the referee, rather harshly, awarded a penalty that was converted by Neil McLaughlin.

Three minutes later Thistle were level, a corner was swung in from the right and headed goalwards, it landed at the feet of Neil McLaughlin who spun to fire into the net from close range. With the game entering the final ten minutes Serge Atakayi in possession on the left side of the box passed inside to Zak Rudden who’s shot went narrowly wide of Jamie Stevenson’s left hand post.

With a minute remaining Jamie Barjonas passed to Zak Rudden on the left, he passed inside to Serge Atakayi, his shot took a deflection and looked to be looping over Jamie Stevenson but bounced off the crossbar and over.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers created a chance early in extra time, Jamie Barjonas passed to Zak Rudden who got to the right hand byline, he looked up and picked out Cammy Palmer who was denied by Jamie Stevenson. Zak Rudden and Jamie Barjonas then combined to work the ball to Serge Atakayi on the left hand angle of the box but again Jamie Stevenson made the save.

Just before the half-time whistle in extra time Rangers took the lead, Stephen Kelly sent a free-kick from wide right into the box and the ball broke for Serge Atakayi to shoot into the net.

Half-Time Extra-Time:- Rangers 3 Partick Thistle 2

With ten minutes remaining Thistle had a chance when Andy McCarthy hooked the ball back from the right hand byline and Mark Lamont fired over from close range. Rangers then made the game safe within a couple of minutes, Dapo Mebude breaking forward before sending Zak Rudden through to beat the keeper.

With three minutes remaining Andy McCarthy received a second yellow and subsequent red card for a rash challenge on Serge Atakayi. There was still enough time for Rangers to grab a fifth, Serge Atakayi in possession on the left side of the box passed inside to Zak Rudden, his shot was saved by Jamie Stevenson but Dapo Mebude pounced on the rebound to side step a defender and fire into the net.

Full-Time Extra-Time:- Rangers 5 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers:- Kieran Wright; Ross Lyon, Aidan Wilson, Lewis Mayo, Matthew Shiels; Cammy Palmer; Jamie Barjonas (Grant Nelson 98 mins), Stephen Kelly; Andy Dallas (Dapo Mebude 103 mins), Zak Rudden (Zac Butterworth 119 mins), Serge Atakayi.

Not Used:- Aidan McAdams (Gk), Mati Zata, Izhaak Ahmed, Kyle McLelland.

Partick Thistle:- Jamie Stevenson; Jason Krones, Harry Granger, John Kelly (Evan Galasso 119 mins); Andy McCarthy; Lee Duncanson (Ian Stokes 103 mins), Mark Lamont, Callum Wilson, James Stokes; Neil McLaughlin; Connor Higgins (Aidan Fitzpatrick 72 mins).

Not Used:- Luke Scullion (Gk)

Weekend Youth Round Up

With youths teams scheduled to meet Partick Thistle at four age groups on Sunday the venues and kick-off times meant I could take in three of the four games. A 10am kick-off at Auchenhowie for the Under 13’s followed by kick-offs at 12:15 and 2:15 at Lochinch for the 15’s and 17’s games.

Rangers 4 Partick Thistle 2

This morning’s game at Auchenhowie was an entertaining affair and I felt Rangers deserved their win. Perhaps a single goal margin would have been a fairer reflection of the ninety minutes.

Thistle were first to threaten with an attack down the right and when the ball was played inside the shot forced a save from Jack Glen diving to his left. Rangers responded immediately with Kole Connelly’s pass sending Jamie Newton racing clear, his shot beat the keeper but came back off the crossbar.

Midway through the half Thistle took the lead, a corner was swung in from the left and it took a flick of a defender’s head and looped in at the back post for an own goal. Again Rangers had an immediate response Ryan Muir sending Ricco Diack through the inside right channel but he shot just wide of the far post.

In Rangers next attack the ball was played up to Ricco Diack on the edge of the box and he turned a defender before shooting past the keeper. The visitor’s had an early chance at the start of the second period with a shot from the edge of the box that was straight at Jack Glen.

The end to end theme continued with Euan Ross and Zak Mackay combining to tee up a shot for Jamie Newton from the edge of the box that the keeper saved comfortably. Ricco Diack then sent Zak Mackay racing down the right, he went past two defenders before returning the ball to Ricco Diack whose shot from distance was tipped over.

Twelve minutes into the second period Thistle missed a great chance to take the lead, Brodie Kerr was dispossessed on the edge of the box but was rescued when Jack Glen produced a fine point-blank save. Rangers capitalised on their keeper’s save by going up the other end and taking the lead. Zak Mackay got to the right hand byline and cut the ball back to Ricco Diack, he held the ball up well before teeing up Jamie Newton to shoot past the keeper.

The next attack came at the other end  with Thistle attacking the right side of the box, when the ball was played inside the shot beat Kyle Budinauckas but bounced off his right hand post. The equaliser came with six minutes of the period remaining, Rangers got caught trying  to play out from the back and the ball was fired past Kyle Budinauckas.

Rangers were pushing to get back in front before the period end and when a Zak Queen corner found its way to Elliot Dunlop on the edge of the box his shot forced the keeper to dive to his right to save. Seconds later Elliot Dunlop went past a defender inside the left side of the penalty area and crossed to the back post for Brodie Kerr to nod into the net.

Early in the final period Rangers came close to extending their lead, Zak Queen sending Zak Mackay racing through the inside right channel but his shot bounced of the far post. The goal was only delayed a couple of minutes, Elliot  Dunlop passed to Zak Mackay who went past a defender on halfway line and broke down the left, he took on another defender as he broke into the box and shot past the keeper.

Thistle came close to a third goal when an indirect free-kick was touched to the side and the shot rebounded off Kyle Budinauckas left hand post. The final chance came when Zak Mackay won possession and broke into the right side of the box but was denied by a superb save with the keeper’s touch diverting the ball on to the underside of the bar.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers Squad:- Jack Glen (Gk), Kyle Budinauckas (Gk), Max Conway, Adam Forrester, Brodie Kerr, Ryan Murray, Euan Ross, Kole Connelly, Callum Sandilands, Zak Mackay, Ricco Diack, Jamie Newton, Kian Gunn, Elliot Dunlop, Zak Queen

 

Partick Thistle 0 Rangers 1

In contrast to the previous game the 15’s game was disappointing with few chances and only a penalty to separate the teams.

There was little of note in the first half with a long-range effort from each team. Thistle’s came first when the ball was played up to Albert Orr and he teed up Billy Owens to shoot from around twenty-five yards that Jay Hogarth saved comfortably to his left. Rangers effort was a twenty-five yard free-kick from Robbie Fraser that Mason McCready couldn’t hold and with a couple of Rangers players waiting to pounce the referee blew for offside.

Half-Time:- Partick Thistle 0 Rangers 0

Rangers had an early chance after the break when Aiden Berry played the ball out to Lewis Robertson on the left, he cut inside before shooting which the keeper saved at the near post. Five minutes later Arron Lyall and Alex Lowry combined on the right side of the box to set up a chance for Cole McKinnon that the keeper saved at the near post.

Just after the hour Aaron Lyall sent in a corner from the right that Leon King headed goalwards with the keeper saving low at his right hand post. Rangers made the break through at the midpoint of the half, Aaron Lyall took on the defence inside the right side of the box and was brought down with Robbie Fraser converting the penalty.

The home side had a chance when Aiden Berry’s headed pass back was a bit short but Albert Orr fired over. In the final minute Aaron Lyall opened up the right side of the Thistle defence with a one-two with Adam Devine but shot just wide of the far post. Thistle had one final chance with a Robaidh Whyte twenty-five yarder that Jay Hogarth saved to his right.

Full -Time:- Partick Thistle 0 Rangers 1

Rangers Squad:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Rhys Caves, Aiden Berry, Leon King, Ben Duncan, Robbie Fraser, Alex Lowry, Reegan Aitken, Lewis Robertson, Matthew Collins, Matthew Henderson, Adam Devine, Cole McKinnon, Adam Mansouri, Aaron Lyall.

 

Partick Thistle 1 Rangers 5

Last up was the under 17’s clash with Rangers looking for revenge after their recent Glasgow Cup defeat. With Ciaran Dickson suspended and Kyle McLelland and Dapo Mebude in tomorrow’s youth cup squad there were a few changes. Rangers chose to take the option of fielding one Under 18 player, which allowed Jack Thomson to get another forty-five minutes under his belt as he returns from injury.

There was only five minutes of the clock when Rangers took the lead, Kai Kennedy passed to Jack Thomson on the edge of the box and his neat back heel setup Matty Yates to find the net off the inside of the keeper’s right hand post. Less than five minutes later Kai Kennedy touched a free-kick to Jack Thomson who’s shot took a wicked deflection but the keeper manged to change direction and touch the ball on to his right hand post.

The half had just passed the midpoint when Thistle drew level, the attack down the left took them to the byline and the cross was headed past Nicky Hogarth at the back post. The home side created another chance five minutes before the break with an attack into the right side of the box with Nicky Hogarth saving the shot.

Rangers took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a superb goal, Zac Butterworth progressed down the left and from  his cross Kieran McKechnie met it full on the volley to give the keeper no chance.

Half-Time:- Partick Thistle 1 Rangers 2

Rangers extended their lead two minutes after the break when Josh McPake capitalised on a slip by a defender on the left side of the box to shoot past the keeper. On ten minutes he chased a Murray Miller through ball and went wide of the keeper but could only find the side netting.

Midway through the half Kai Kennedy cut in from the left and from his cross come shot Matty Yates got a touch but the ball bounced off the far post. Rangers extended their lead with just over ten minutes remaining, Nick Hogarth’s ball over the Thistle defence freed Josh McPake to continue into the box and neatly lob the keeper.

Murray Miller and Jamie Walker then combined on the left hand side of the box to tee up Matty Yates whose shot was deflected narrowly wide of the keeper’s right hand post. With five minutes remaining Jay Mack broke forward and exchanged passes with Kai Kennedy before seeing his shot cleared off the line.

The scoring was completed in the final minute when a neat Josh McPake flick inside the box freed Matty Yates to shoot past the keeper. 

Full-Time:- Partick Thistle 1 Rangers 5

Rangers:- Nicky Hogarth (Lewis Budinauckas 82 mins); Nathan Patterson, Jay Mack, Harris O’Connor, Zac Butterworth (Jamie Walker 59 mins); Ben Williamson; Jack Thomson (Murray Miller HT), Kai Kennedy; Kieran McKechnie (Euan Deveney 71 mins), Matty Yates, John Balde (Josh McPake HT).

16’s Edge Out Thistle

Rangers 5 Partick Thistle 4

These informal Under 16 fixtures are sometimes miss named as there are usually Under 17 players involved, but last night’s Rangers team was made up of under 16, Under 15 and one Under 14. They managed to edge out a spirited Thistle team, who twice came back from two goals down, by the odd goal in nine.

Rangers took the lead on three minutes, Robbie Fraser attacked the centre of the box and when challenged the ball broke to Matty Yates. with the Thistle defence claiming offside he shot in off the keeper’s right hand post. Five minutes later Cole McKinnon broke forward and passed to Darren Watterson who entered the box before forcing the keeper to save at the near post.

Thistle replied with an attack down the right and when the ball was passed inside Lewis Budinauckas dived high to his right to save the shot. Rangers doubled their lead as the midpoint of the half approached, Robbie Fraser worked a short corner on the left with Tom Henderson before crossing to the back post for Matty Yates to nod into the net.

Almost immediately Thistle broke through the middle and their attacker won the race to poke the ball past Lewis Budinauckas. Rangers were soon back on attack with Darren Watterson attacking down the left, he crossed to Matty Yates who moved the ball on to Adam Devine who’s shot was deflected over.

The visitor’s capitalised immediately with a passing move taking them through the Rangers defence, with Rangers claiming offside the ball was shot past Lewis Budinauckas. Just before the break Robbie Fraser passed to Darren Watterson on the left and he cut inside to shoot which the keeper saved.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers created an early chance after the break, Darren Watterson crossed from the left with the keeper saving first from Matty Yates and then Tom Henderson’s effort from the rebound. Within sixty seconds Matty Yates collected a ball in from the left, turned a defender twice before shooting just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Rangers were soon back in front, Tom Henderson chased the ball to the right hand byline and laid it back to Adam Devine who’s cross broke to Darren Watterson at the back post to shoot past the keeper. Thistle replied with a superb strike from wide left that bounced off Jay Hogarth’s crossbar. 

Just before the hour Matthew Henderson won the race for a ball in the box and poked it to Matty Yates who went down as he rounded the keeper and the referee adjudged it was a penalty that he duly converted. Rangers next chance came when Ally Monro hit the right hand byline before picking out Reegan Aitken inside the box be he shot just wide of the far post.

Thistle reduced the deficit when their striker chased a through ball and won a challenge with Jay Hogarth before rolling the ball into the net. Within minutes Thistle were level again, Jay Hogarth failed to gather a cross from the right and the ball fell for an attacker to hook the ball into the net.

With thirteen minutes remaining Rangers got back in front with a well worked goal, a fine passing move ended with Aaron Lyall exchanging passes close to the right hand byline with Adam Devine and driving in a low cross that was converted at close range by Matty Yates.  Five minutes later Euan Deveney fired in a free-kick from the edge of the box and right of centre, the ball struck the crossbar and Reegan Aitken’s effort from the rebound hit the bar on the way over.

Thistle replied with a shot from the edge of the box that Jay Hogarth dived to hIs left to save. The final chance came from an Aaron Lyall solo run that took him past a couple of defenders, as he tried to round the keeper a heavy touch took the ball away from him and it was cleared from the line.

Rangers 5 Partick Thistle 4

Rangers Squad:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Jay Hogarth (Gk), Adam Devine, Ally Monro, Leon King, Euan Deveney; Robbie Fraser; Cole McKinnon, Callum Biggar; Tom Henderson, Matty Yates, Darren Watterson, Rhys Caves, Matthew Henderson, Aaron Lyall, Reegan Aitken.

Got the Thistle squad but it was after the game and couldn’t include the names in match report.

Partick Thistle Squad:- Sam Kerr (Gk), Mason McCready (Gk), Dominic Reilly, Robaidh Whyte, Bradley Renfrew, Mark Ward, Billy Owens, Euan Cameron, Shea Scally, Jordan Kemoe, Albert Orr, Blair Craig, Ryan Todd, Gospel Ocholi, Lorenzo Giovannazi

Glasgow Cup Defeat For 17’s

Rangers 1 Partick Thistle 2

Following on from Sunday’s disappointing result and performance against Ayr United a failure to capitalise on a number of chances cost the 17’s dear as they slipped to defeat in tonight’s Glasgow Cup Sectional tie against Partick Thistle at Auchenhowie.

Rangers first chance came on seven minutes when Kai Kennedy’s corner from the left broke to Ciaran Dickson on the edge of the six yard box, his shot was blocked on the line and gathered by the keeper. Five minutes later Ben Williamson’s pass sent John Balde breaking into the right side of the box with the keeper comfortably saving his shot at the near post.

On the twenty-minute mark Jay Mack’s long pass saw John Balde win the battle with a defender but he failed to get a decent connection on his shot and the ball trickled wide of the keeper’s right hand post. With the final ten minutes of the half approaching Kai Kennedy sent Zac Butterworth to the left hand byline where he turned up and picked out a return pass to Kai Kennedy on the edge of the box and his shot had the keeper stretching to save.

The breakthrough came a couple of minutes later, Jay Mack sent Zac Butterworth down the left and his cross to the back post was volleyed into the net by Ciaran Dickson.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Partick Thistle o

Ten minutes after the break Thistle had their first real effort of the match when a pass in from the left set up a shot from around twenty-five yards that Nick Hogarth stretched to save. With the hour mark approaching the Thistle striker inside the right side of the penalty area hooked the ball over his head and looping towards the goal, Nicky Hogarth under pressure failed to gather and the ball ended up in the net for a equaliser.

As the midpoint of the half approached Ciaran Dickson sent John Balde breaking into the right side of the box where his shot took a deflection and with the keeper stranded went just wide of the far post. In Rangers next attack Dapo Mebude sent Zac Butterworth to the right hand byline where he looked up and picked out Kai Kennedy who’s effort was blocked and John Balde’s close range shot from the rebound was saved by the keeper. 

Rangers were pushing to get back in front with Jay Mack breaking forward and passing to Zac Butterworth who’s neat flick released Ciaran Dickson on the right side of the box with the keeper turning the shot wide of his left hand post. From the short corner Kai Kennedy attacked the right side of the penalty area and again the keeper turned the ball wide of his left hand post.

With twelve minutes remaining Thistle edged ahead, the attack was built down the right and when the ball was played inside it was knocked into the net at the near post. Rangers tried to respond with Jay Mack breaking forward and passing to Zac Butterworth, he cut in from the right and his shot was deflected off a defender and on to the far post.

Inside the final five minutes Kyle McLelland sent Euan Deveney racing to the left hand byline, his driven cross found Dapo Mebude who shot over from around the penalty spot. With the clock on the ninetieth minute Thistle’s striker was shown a straight red following a tussle with Kyle McLelland. Injury time saw a Zac Butterworth shot deflected just wide of the keeper’s left hand post and from the corner Matty Yates volley was narrowly wide of the same post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Partick Thistle 2

Rangers:- Nicky Hogarth; Nathan Patterson (Euan Deveney 55 mins), Kyle McLelland, Jay Mack, Zac Butterworth; Murray Miller; Ben Williamson (Matty Yates 80 mins), Ciaran Dickson; John Balde, Dapo Mebude, Kai Kennedy (Kieran McKechnie 86 mins).

Weekend Youth Round Up

 

With all teams taking on Ayr United I had the choice of watching the younger teams at Auchenhowie or a trip down to Belmont Academy to take in the older group’s games. I opted for the latter not having been there before. I won’t rush back. it’s a small narrow plastic pitch and you have to watch the game through a mesh fence.

Ayr United 1 Rangers 1

Rangers had the bulk of possession but failed to create much in the way of clear-cut chances and with the home side missing a penalty it was a game that could easily have been lost. The big disappointment was that after drawing level early in the second half they never looked like winning the game.

Rangers dominated possession in the early stages but there was twenty-five minutes on the clock before the Ayr goal was seriously threatened. Josh McPake sent a pass inside the left back to pick out Nathan Patterson’s run with the keeper saving his shot. The home side almost immediately took the lead with their first serious attack. Their striker cutting in from the left before shooting low past Nicky Hogarth. 

Rangers came close to an equaliser when Zac Butterworth broke into the right side of the penalty area but his shot across the keeper struck the junction of post and bar. Only a fine Nicky Hogarth save prevented Ayr from doubling their lead. The ball was played in from the left and their striker held of Harris O’Connor to get his shot away that the Rangers keeper blocked with his legs.

Rangers had another chance before the half-time whistle, Kai Kennedy on the left hand angle of the box passed inside to Ben Williamson who moved the ball onto Zac Butterworth but he shot narrowly over.

Half-Time:- Ayr United 1 Rangers 0

Less than ten minutes of the half had elapsed when Rangers drew level, Dapo Mebude attacked the right hand angle of the box and when the ball broke to Nathan Patterson he curled a shot over the keeper and into the net. With the twenty-minute mark of the half approaching Jay Mack failed to deal with a long ball allowing it to bounce towards the box, Nicky Hogarth came from his line and flattened the striker for a clear penalty, but the keeper redeemed himself saving the spot-kick with his legs.

Rangers only significant effort came with seven minutes remaining, Dapo Mebude volleying a bouncing ball from around twenty-five yards the keeper turned wide of hos left hand post.

Full-Time:- Ayr United 1 Rangers 1

Rangers:- Nicky Hogarth; Nathan Patterson, Kyle McLelland, Harris O’Connor (Jay Mack 35 mins) Euan Deveney (Dapo Mebude 50 mins); Murray Miller; Josh McPake, Ben Williamson (Ciaran Dickson 65 mins); Zac Butterworth, Matty Yates (Kieran McKechnie 6o mins), Kai Kennedy.

 

Ayr United 1 Rangers 1

Next up was the Under 15’s clash and it was a mirror of the previous game, Rangers falling behind and struggling to create clear opportunities on the narrow pitch despite dominating possession.

Ayr took the lead on five minutes when a free kick was delivered from wide left and was missed by everyone and went in at the far post. Rangers reply was a Robbie Fraser cross from the left hand byline that was met at the back post by Trialist No.5 who’s header forced a fine point-blank save from the keeper.

Midway through the half Robbie Fraser played a one-two with Alex Lowry before shooting just wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Just after the half-hour Alex Lowry went past a defender and hit the left hand byline, from his cross Leon King didn’t get enough on his header and the ball went wide of the far post.

Rangers got the equaliser they deserved four minutes before the break, Trialist No 9 broke into the left side of the penalty area and his shot across the keeper bounced off the far post with Aaron Lyall following up to find the net with a fine finish under pressure.

Half-Time:- Ayr United 1 Rangers 1

When Reegan Aitken was short with a pass back early in the second half it took a great challenge from Leon King to disposes the attacker and clear the danger. Rangers then worked a short free-kick on the right and from Adam Devine’s cross Trialist No.5 headed just wide of the far post.

Matthew Collins progressed on the left and from his cross Adam Mansouri’s header was comfortably saved by the keeper diving to his left. Rangers final chance came when Aaron Lyall set off on a solo run from the halfway line, he went past three defenders before passing to Reegan Aitken who shot over from the edge of the box.

Full-Time:- Ayr United 1 Rangers 1

Rangers Squad:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Aiden Berry, Adam Devine, Robbie Fraser, Trialist No.5, Leon King, Aaron Lyall, Rhys Caves, Trialist No.9, Alex Lowry, Lewis Robertson, Matthew Henderson, Reegan Aitken, Matthew Collins, Adam Mansouri.

 

Footnote:- Rangers 13’s and 14’s recorded comfortable wins by 6-1 and 7-0 respectively in the games at Auchenhowie.