U18’s Edge Win

Rangers 1 St.Mirren 0

In the bizarre world that is Scottish football Rangers Under 18’s played a league game against a side that is not in their league. Let me explain, the CAS Elite League consists of eight clubs who play each other twice giving fourteen games. They then play the eleven clubs in the second tier once to give a total of twenty-five games, with points counting towards the respective league. Had tonight’s game ended in a draw each club would have got one point for their respective league. It was a bit of a struggle for the young Rangers side but probably just deserved to win.

Rangers had an early chance on four minutes when a good passing move ended with Ciaran Dickson’s pass freeing Joao Balde who’s shot from around the penalty spot was tipped over. Two minutes later Rangers made the break through, following a corner from the left a couple of shots were blocked, the ball came to the edge of the box and Kieran McKechnie shot through a crowded box and the keeper blocked with his legs but Matty Yates was on hand to fire the rebound into the net.

As the half hour approached St.Mirren had a great chance to draw level, the ball was sent out to the left and when the cross came in it was headed back across goal but just wide of the post. Rangers replied when Joao Balde switched the ball to James Maxwell on the left, a series of passes between the full back,  Josh McPake and Ciaran Dickson ended when the keeper turned the latter’s shot wide.

Five minutes before the break the visitor’s attacked centrally and a long-range shot had Nicky Hogarth stretching to hold underneath his crossbar. On the stroke of half-time Matty Yates combined with Joao Balde  on the right to set up a shooting chance for Ciaran Dickson which the keeper blocked with his legs.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 St.Mirren 0

Little happened after the break until St.Mirren broke into the right side of Rangers penalty area with twenty minutes remaining with Nicky Hogarth blocking the shot with his legs. Five minutes later Kieran McKechnie’s cross from the left broke off a defender to Ciaran Dickson but he was denied by a fine save at close range.

With eight minutes remaining Murray Miller played the ball forward to Josh McPake who went past two defender before forcing the keeper to save low to his left. The final chance came when Josh McPake passed to Ciaran Dickson who moved the ball on to James Maxwell on the left hand angle of the box, he took on a defender and shot narrowly over.

Full-Time:- Rangers 1 St.Mirren 0

Rangers:- Nicky Hogarth; Nathan Patterson, Leon King (Harris O’Connor 61 mins), Kyle McLelland, James Maxwell; Murray Miller; Joao Balde (Cole McKinnon 54 mins), Ciaran Dickson; Kieran McKechnie (Ryan Muir 83 mins), Matty Yates (Chris McKee 61 mins), Josh McPake.

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Jay Mack.