Injury Time Stunner For Under 20’s

Celtic 3 Rangers 2

Rangers Under 20’s suffered a cruel defeat in tonight’s Glasgow Cup Final at Celtic Park. Trailing to two first half goals, two Glenn Middleton strikes in the last fifteen minutes drew them level. They then missed a great opportunity to win it only to lose a goal with virtually the last kick of the ball.

Rangers were first to threaten when Stephen Kelly passed to Josh McPake on the right, he went past Daniel Church into the box and centred for Andy Dallas whose shot was blocked by Wallace Duffy right in front of goal. Celtic took the lead just before the twenty minute mark, Jack Aitchison cutting in from the left side of the penalty area and shooting across Kieran Wright into the far corner.

Rangers came close to drawing level on the half-hour mark, Jamie Bajonas exchanged passes with Josh McPake on the right side of the box and passed inside to Glenn Middleton, the ball broke back to Jamie Barjonas inside the right side of the penalty area and his shot beat Ryan Mullen but crashed back off the crossbar. Celtic’s reply was a Daniel Church run on the left and a pull back to Michael Johnston who shot just over from the edge of the box.

Celtic doubled their lead seven minutes before the break, Michael Johnston curling a free-kick from round twenty-five yards over the wall and into Kieran Wright’s top left hand corner. A couple of minutes later Glenn Middleton broke forward and his twenty-five yard effort forced Ryan Mullen to save low to his left. Celtic really should have scored a third on the stroke of half-time, Michael Johnston on the right played the ball across the six yards box and Ewan Henderson with the goal at his mercy knocked the ball over from a couple of  yards.

Half-Time:- Celtic 2 Rangers 0

The second half seemed to running its course with little goal mouth action and the game had passed the hour mark before any real threat on goal. It came from a Stephen Kelly pass that released Andy Dallas inside the right side of the penalty area but he shot over. Five minutes later a Michael Johnston turn took him clear to attack the inside right channel and from the edge of the box he shot just wide of the far post.

With the game now in the final quarter hour the ball was worked from Andy Dallas on the right through Stephen Kelly to Glenn Middleton on the left hand angle of the box and he cut inside to shoot across Ryan Mullen and into the far corner. Jamie Barjonas then passed to Glenn Middleton on the left, Dapo Mebude poked a foot out at the cross into the box but the ball went just over.

There were seven minutes remaining when Cameron Harper broke from halfway deep into the right side of Rangers box, Kieran Wright made the save but when the ball broke to Ewan Henderson it took a superb Cammy Palmer block to divert the ball behind. With five minutes remaining there seemed little danger when Glenn Middleton picked the ball up more than thirty yards from goal but he sent an unstoppable shot high past Ryan Mullen into his top left hand corner.

With the game in the first of five minutes of injury time Glenn Middleton fired in a twenty-five yard free-kick that Ryan Mullen dived to his left to parry, it appeared that Rhys Breen had a tap in to win the cup but the ball ran past the Rangers defender. In the final minute of injury time Scott Robertson sent a free-kick from wide on the left and close to the halfway line into to Rangers box where it broke for Robbie Deas to hook a shot past Kieran Wright.

Full-Time:- Celtic 3 Rangers 2

Celtic;- Ryan Mullen; Wallace Duffy (Grant Savoury 81 mins), Stephen Welsh, Robbie Deas, Daniel Church; BarryCoffey, Ewan Henderson; Michael Johnston (Ross McLaughlin 71 mins); Karamoko Dembele (Scott Robertson 81 mins), Jack Aitchison (Cameron Harper 47 mins), Armstrong Oko-Flex.

Not Used:- Reece Willison (Gk), Paul Kennedy, Ciaran Diver.

Rangers:- Kieran Wright; Danny Finlayson, Lewis Mayo, Rhys Breen, Matthew Shiels; Cammy Palmer; Jamie Barjonas, Stephen Kelly; Josh McPake (Dapo Mebude 62 mins), Andy Dallas, Glenn Middleton.

Not Used:- Nicky Hogarth (Gk), Harris O’Connor, Ben Williamson, Leon King, Ciaran Dickson, Kai Kennedy.

2006’s Win At Lesser Hampden

Queens Park 1 Rangers 3

Rangers had an early chance when Ethan Sutherland latched on to a slack pass back and his effort clipped the bar on the way over. A few minutes later a Rocco Friel ball over the top of the Queens defence allowed Ethan Sutherland to break into the left side of the penalty area but his shot was weak and the keeper saved comfortably.

We still hadn’t reached the ten minute mark when Rangers created their third chance, Kerr Robertson knocked the ball forward Rory Wilson held off a defender but he shot narrowly wide of the keeper’s left hand post. A further ten minutes had passed when a Kerr Robertson pass sent Rory Wilson through the inside right channel but his shot was weak and didn’t trouble the keeper.

A minute later Rangers took the lead, a great forward run from left back from Dylan Brown took him past a couple of Queens Park players and passed to Kerr Robertson who sent Rory Wilson clear to continue into the box and shoot past the keeper. Five minutes later a good move ended with a great through ball from Cooper Knox that released Rory Wilson to break into the right side of the box but he screwed his shot wide of the near post.

At the beginning of the second period the home side had a chance with an attack down the right when the ball was centred the shot went wide of Sam Kane’s right hand post. Queens the attacked on the right again and when it was passed inside their midfielder’s shot from the edge of the box was just wide of Sam Kane’s left hand post.

Rangers first chance of the second period came when Crispin McLean latched on to a slack pass from the keeper, he laid the ball back to Kerr Robertson who picked out Finlay Curtis but the keeper redeemed himself with a fine save. Queens Park were rewarded with an equaliser just after the midpoint of the second period. Again the attack came down the right but on this occasion when the ball was centred the striker volleyed past Sam Kane.

It took Rangers a further ten minutes to restore their lead, Kerr Robertson started the move with a pass to Crispin McLean who picked out Ethan Sutherland who shot high past the keeper. Two minutes into the final period a brilliant dummy from Crispin McLean allowed Lewis Stewart to break down the left, he passed on to Rory Wilson who broke into the left side of the box but the keeper blocked with his legs.

With ten minutes remaining only a brilliant save from Sam Kane kept Rangers lead intact. Queens Park broke through the middle and a goal seemed certain but the Rangers keeper produced a fantastic point blank save. Rangers then made the game save with five minutes remaining, Jamie Bradley provided the pass to sent Rory Wilson through on the right and he lofted the keeper from the right hand angle of the box.

Full-Time:- Queens Park 1 Rangers 3

Rangers Squad:- Sam Kane (Gk), Zander Hutton, Leyton Grant, Rocco Friel, Dylan Brown, Cooper Knox, Jamie Bradley, Kerr Robertson, Finlay Curtis, Rory Wilson, Ethan Sutherland, Niall Rogerson, Crispin McLean, Lewis Stewart, Grant Leitch.

2005’s Hit Queen’s For Seven

Rangers 7 Queens Park 2

Rangers took the lead after only five minutes, the ball was moved forward to Zak McKay on the right and he cut inside before beating the keeper at his near post. Five minutes later the visitor’s attacked on the right and when the ball was centred it took a fine Kian Gunn challenge to prevent a goal.

With the midpoint of the half approaching a good passing move created a chance for Rangers. The ball moved from Euan Ross through Zak Queen to Elliott Dunlop and from his through ball Tyler Pasnik won a challenge with the keeper, gathered the loose ball but shot narrowly over. Rangers doubled their lead a couple of minutes later, Tyler Pasnik in possession on the right hand angle of the box passed to Zak McKay and his low cross was converted by Elliot Dunlop on the edge of the six yard box.

With the game reaching the half-hour mark Rangers scored a third,  Zak McKay breaking from his own half and continued into the box to shoot past the keeper. Eight minutes before the break Zak McKay hit the right hand byline and from his low cross it looked like Elliot Dunlop would score again but the keeper produced a fine save tipping over. 

Within in a minute Rangers scored a fourth, Kole Connelly took a short corner on the right and passed to Elliott Dunlop, his cross from the angle of the box picked out Zak McKay arriving at the back post and he volleyed past the keeper. The half finished with a goal at each end in the final minute. Rangers goal came first, Zak McKay exchanged passes with Tyler Pasnik on the right side of the box before entering the penalty area and poking the ball past the keeper. Queens Park responded with an attack down the right and when the ball was moved across to the left hand angle of the box a shot was curled over Scott Cowie.

Half-Time:- Rangers 5 Queens Park 1

Queens had a chance in the opening minute of the second half when the ball broke kindly inside the box but the shot was hooked over. Rangers response was to score a sixth, Elliott Dunlop provided the through ball and Tyler Pasnik held off a defender before continuing into the box and shooting past the keeper. 

The game still hadn’t reached the hour mark when Rangers scored a seventh, Tyler Pasnik latched on to a slack back pass and broke into the box and slotted past the keeper. With twenty-five minutes remaining Queens Park notched a second, the attack was built on the left and when the ball was centred it was fired past Jacob Pazikas.

Rangers had two great chances to add to their tally when on both occasions Tyler Pasnik attacked deep into the right side of Queens penalty but he made the wrong choice, going alone when a centre would surely have led to goals. The final chance came at the other end,  with an attack on the left a goal seemed certain when the ball was centred but Kristian Webster arrived with a superb challenge to clear for a corner.

Full-Time:- Rangers 7 Queen’s Park 2

Rangers Squad:- Scott Cowie (Gk), Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Kian Gunn, Brodie Kerr, Adam Forrester, Jamie Newton, Zak Queen, Ewan Ross, Elliott Dunlop, Zak McKay, Tyler Pasnik, Kole Connelly, Kristian Webster, Ryan Murray, Callum Sandilands, Tiaman Scott.

Youth Cup Joy For Under 18’s

Celtic 2 Rangers 3

Rangers Under 18’s edged out Celtic in a thrilling game at Hampden tonight. The young ‘Gers stormed to a two goal lead within six minutes. Retaining that lead until the break it looked like they would go in to the second half with a comfortable lead, but within three minutes the sides were level. Rangers edged ahead on the midpoint of the half and had to get over the disappointment of a missed penalty. Celtic chased the game and had Rangers under pressure in the closing minutes but Rangers had done enough.

The first chance came when Ben Williamson passed to Dapo Mebude on the right side of the penalty area his centre picked out Nathan Young-Coombes whose shot was netbound until Chris McQueen blocked inside the six yard box. There was five minutes on the clock when Rangers took the lead. Kai Kennedy’s corner from the right found its way to Ciaran Dickson on the edge of the box and he took a touch before firing a shot into Liam Hughes’s bottom left hand corner.

Within a minute Rangers lead had doubled, Kai Kennedy’s free-kick from the left side of the box was sent towards the back post, Kyle McLelland rose to nod it down for Dapo Mebude to shoot through a crowded six yard box and into the net. Celtic’s first real threat came on twenty-five minutes, Cameron Harper attacked on the left before cutting inside but Lewis Budinauckas saved comfortably. 

Rangers were soon back on attack with a Josh McPake solo run that took him past two defenders and into the left side of the box, Liam Hughes blocked his shot and when the ball was cleared from the penalty area Ben Williamson’s twenty-five yarder was just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Just after the half hour, Cameron Harper latched on to a slack Ben Williamson pass and broke into the right side of the penalty area, he laid the ball back to Karamoko Dembele who played it square on the edge of the box and Barry Coffey’s shot forced a save from Lewis Budinauckas low to his left.

Six minutes before the break Cameron Harper and Brody Paterson combined on the left to set up a shooting chance for Barry Coffey on the edge of the box that Lewis Budinauckas saved low to his right. Rangers had the last chance of the half when James Maxwell passed to Josh McPake on the left and he cut inside before firing just wide of the far post.

Half-Time:- Celtic 0 Rangers 2

Celtic reduced the deficit two minutes after the break, Karamoko Dembele broke from his own half and passed to Cameron Harper inside the right side of the penalty area, he cut inside before shooting across Lewis Budinauckas into the far corner. Within a minute the sides were level Paul Kennedy’s twenty-five yard free-kick had little threat until it took a massive deflection off Rangers defensive wall and ended up in the opposite corner of the net.

A great run from Ben Williamson took him past two defenders into the right side of the box but his shot lacked power and Liam Hughes saved low to his right. The Celtic keeper excelled a couple of minutes later, Josh McPake and Ciaran Dickson carved open Celtic’s defence and the former’s shot from just inside the box looked net bound until Liam Hughes dived to turn the ball wide of his left hand post.

Around the midpoint of the half Rangers were back in front, from Kai Kennedy’s free-kick on the left and ten yards from the byline Nathan Young-Coombes got ahead of his marker to head past the keeper. Within two minutes Rangers had a great chance to restore their two goal cushion. Nathan Patterson passed to Dapo Mebude who attacked Brody Paterson and was brought down just inside the right side of the penalty area, but Kai Kennedy’s spotkick was weak and Liam Hughes saved low to his right.

Nathan Paterson then switched the play to Kai Kennedy on the left and he broke into the box but his shot was blocked by Liam Morrison. With a minute to go Brody Paterson on the left passed inside to Armstrong Oko-Flex who turned and shot which Lewis Budinauckas saved to his left. 

Just before the ninety minute mark Brody Paterson crossed from the left to the back post where Barry Coffey’s looping header was saved by Lewis Budinackas at his right hand post. Celtic’s final effort came from a Ben Wylie effort from twenty-five yards that Lewis Budinackas parried to his left before gathering.

Full-Time:- Celtic 2 Rangers 3

Celtic:- Liam Hughes; Dylan Forrest (Michael Sparkes 76 mins), Chris McQueen, Liam Morrison, Brody Paterson; Barry Coffey, Paul Kennedy (Ben Wylie 72 mins); Scott Robertson (David McKay HT); Karamoko Dembele, Cameron Harper, Armstrong Oko-Flex.

Not Used:- Ryan Mullen (Gk), Owen Moffat, Sam Denham, Connor McBride.

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Nathan Patterson, Danny Finlayson, Kyle McClelland, James Maxwell (Zack Butterworth 67 mins); Ben Williamson; Ciaran Dickson, Kai Kennedy (Joao Balde 90 mins); Dapo Mebude, Nathan Young-Coombes (Kieran McKechnie 76 mins), Josh McPake.

Not Used:- Brian Kinnear (Gk), Harris O’Connor, Leon King, Matty Yates.

Reserves In Pole Position

Rangers 4 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers Reserves moved into a promising position in the Reserve League with a win over Hamilton Accies at The Hummel Training Centre this afternoon. With Rangers locked on thirty-five points with both Hibs and Celtic and only goal difference separating the sides. With Hibs having already completed their fixtures it looks likely the games involving Rangers and Celtic will decide who finishes as champions. Rangers sit second one goal behind Hibs and three goals ahead of Celtic.

Rangers threatened on six minutes with Glenn Middleton progressing into the box along the right hand byline and his shot was blocked by the foot of Ryan Fulton. From the throw in on the right Rangers took the lead, Harris O’Connor found Cammy Palmer inside the box and from a tight angle he lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Just after the quarter-hour the ball was played to Harris O’Connor on the right, his ball into the box picked out Cammy Palmer who shot into the side netting. Rangers next chance came from a Glenn Middleton free-kick on the edge of the box that was just too high. Eight minutes before the break saw a good passing move where Stephen Kelly moved the ball from left to right via Andy Dallas on the Glenn Middleton on the right side of the box, he passed back inside to Cammy Palmer whose shot forced a save from Ryan Fulton low to his right.

Rangers doubled their lead two minutes later with a superb goal, Ross McCrorie passed to Jamie Barjonas on the left, he moved it on to Matthew Shiels, his cross was perfect for Andy Dallas to glance a header in off the far post. A minute before the break the ball broke to Jamie Barjonas and his thirty yarder beat Ryan Fulton but came back off his left hand post.

Hamilton hadn’t carried much of a threat but in first half injury time a long ball had Rhys Breen stretching and his header went back towards Rangers goal and Lewis Mayo was forced to intercept and head just wide of Kieran Wright’s left hand post. Reegan Mimnaugh swung over the corner from the right and Jamie Hamilton rose at the back post to head past Kieran Wright.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers restored their two goal lead nine minutes after the break, there seemed little danger when Matthew Shiels laid the ball back to Jamie Barjonas wide on the left but he gave the keeper no chance with a superb strike. Rangers scored a fourth a couple of minutes later, the ball broke to Andy Dallas, he passed to Glenn Middleton on the left hand angle of the box and he shot across the keeper into the far corner.

The remainder of the game was mainly noted for a series of substitutions from both sides, with Hamilton gaining more possession than in the previous hour, but Rangers saw out the game comfortably to secure three points and a three goal swing on their rivals.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers:- Kieran Wright; Harris O’Connor (Matty Yates 77 mins), Lewis Mayo, Rhys Breen, Matthew Shiels; Ross McCrorie (Joao Balde 60 mins); Cammy Palmer (Zack Butterworth 72 Mins), Jamie Barjonas (Cole McKinnon 77 mins); Glenn Middleton (Kieran McKechnie 60 mins), Andy Dallas, Stephen Kelly.

Not Used:- Nicky Hogarth (Gk)

Hamilton Accies:- Ryan Fulton; George Stanger, Jamie Hamilton, Delphin Tshiembe (Hamish Morrison HT), Lennard Sowah (Liam Scullion 60 mins); Reegan Mimnaugh; Charlie Reilly, Steven Boyd, Leon McCann; Andrew Winter, Sean Slaven (Niyah Joseph 60 mins).

Not Used:- Jamie Smith (Gk), Taylor Wilson, Kyle Munro.

16’s Progress After Penalty Shoot Out

Motherwell 2 Rangers 2 (Rangers won 7-6 on penalties)

Rangers Under 16’s progressed to the CAS Cup Semi Finals after a penalty shoot out against Motherwell tonight at Braidhurst High School. With the sides locked at six all after nine penalties each Harley Ewan stepped up to convert and Jay Hogarth made his third save of the shoot out to take Rangers through. In truth they shouldn’t have required the lottery of a penalty shootout, leading 2-0 and seemingly coasting through they were hit by two goals in three minutes with a quarter-hour remaining as Motherwell drew level.

The first half had almost reached the midpoint before we had seen a real effort on goal and it came when Aaron Lyall won the ball and his shot from the edge of the box forced the keeper to save low to his right. A couple of minutes later Connor Allan charged down a clearance and passed to Cole McKinnon who sent Matty Yates through with the keeper advancing from his goal to make the block.

Motherwell’s reply was an attack down the left where the striker out muscled Harley Ewan but his shot was weak and never troubled Jay Hogarth. Rangers took the lead on twenty-seven minutes, Ryan Muir picked out Matty Yates from a throw in on the right, the striker spun and shot which the keeper parried but Aaron Lyall pounced to net the rebound.

Aaron Lyall then intercepted a clearance and went past a defender on the right side of the box, the keeper parried his shot and the ball bounced back to him off a defender. The home keeper was soon in action again, stretching to hold an Alex Lowry free-kick under his crossbar.

Alex Lowry then latched on to a slack Motherwell throw in and his pass sent Matty Yates through but the keeper stood tall to block the striker’s shot. Six minutes before the break Rangers doubled their lead from the penalty spot. A superb Robbie Fraser pass picked out Matty Yates’s run into the box and the referee judged he was bundled over with Alex Lowry converting from the spot.

Half-Time:- Motherwell 0 Rangers 2

Rangers had an early second half chance when Matty Yates broke into the left side of the box but his attempted chip lacked height and the keeper saved. The next chance came when Cole McKinnon broke from his own half and it took a brave save at the midfielder’s feet to halt his progress.

Motherwell’s first threat of the second half came ten minutes in, their centre back volleying over from a corner from the right. Five minutes later their midfielder progressed into the left side of the penalty area and Jay Hogarth was forced to save low to his left.

Jay Hogarth then bettered that with a brilliant save diving high to his right to touch a twenty-five yarder on to the crossbar. The home side were now a threat and Jay Hogarth had to save low to his left when a free-kick on the edge of the box was curled over the defensive wall.

With a quarter-hour remaining Motherwell reduced the deficit, a throw in from the right setup the shooting chance which Jay Hogarth parried but was helpless as the rebound was knocked into the net. Two minutes later the sides were level, Motherwell attacked through the centre and a fine reverse pass allowed they winger to round Jay Hogarth and roll the ball into the net.

The home side came close to taking the lead with nine minutes remaining, the attack came on the left and when the ball was cutback the shot came back off the underside of the crossbar with Jay Hogarth beaten. Rangers finished the game on the attack, Robbie Fraser passed to Alex Lowry on the left, he switched play to Leyton Dunlop who broke into the right side of the box but his shot was weak and the keeper saved comfortably.

And so it was on to the penalty shoot out, with each side taking ten, both keepers saving three, the Motherwell keeper’s spot kick going high and wide. With Harley Ewan’s penalty and Jay Hogarth’s third save eventually proving decisive.

Full-Time:- Motherwell 2 Rangers 2 (Rangers won 7-6 on penalties)

Rangers:- Jay Hogarth; Ryan Muir, Harley Ewan, Leon King (Aiden Berry 53 mins), Adam Devine; Robbie Fraser; Cole McKinnon (Darren McInally 70 mins), Connor Allan; Aaron Lyall (Leyton Dunlop 63 mins), Matty Yates (Robbie Ure 53 mins), Alex Lowry.

Not Used:- Grant Thackeray (Gk), Mackenzie Strachan.

Under 18’s See Off Motherwell

Rangers 3 Motherwell 0

Rangers Under 18’s extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points pending tonight’s meeting between Hamilton Accies and Celtic. Celtic sit in second place with Accies just a point behind in third.

Yet it was the visitor’s who missed a glorious chance in the third minute, a cross from the left went beyond the back post and when it was knocked back across goal  the ball was fired over when a goal seemed likely. Rangers replied when Zack Butterworth played the ball down the left and Nathan Young-Coombes got a ahead of David Devine inside the box but his shot was blocked by Matthew Connelly in the Motherwell goal.

Within a couple of minutes Nathan Patterson played the ball to Dapo Mebude inside the box and his shot was diverted wide of the far post by the foot of Matthew Connelly. From the resultant corner Harris O’Connor got on the end of Kai Kennedy’s delivery to head narrowly over.

Rangers came closer still on the quarter-hour mark, Josh McPake cut in from the left and beat the keeper but his shot game back off the crossbar. He then turned creator going past two defenders into the left side of the penalty area and squaring for Dapo Mebude but his shot was weak and Matthew Connelly saved easily.

Rangers pressure paid off when they took the lead a minute later, Joao Balde passed to Josh McPake on the left hand angle of the box and he cut inside before shooting across the keeper into the far corner. A couple of minutes past the midpoint of the half Dapo Mebude attacked along the right hand byline and his effort from a narrow angle was saved.

Rangers doubled their seven minutes before the break with a brilliant goal, breaking from a Motherwell attack Josh McPake exchanged passes with Dapo Mebude on the halfway line, he raced down the right and played the ball across the box and back to Dapo Mebude who shot high into the net from around ten yards.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Motherwell 0

The first real effort of the second half came at the midpoint, a Kai Kennedy free-kick which was saved by Matthew Connelly low to his left. With a quarter-hour remaining Motherwell were reduced to ten men when full-back Jack Brown was shown a straight red card for abusive language.

Rangers made the game safe with seven minutes remaining, Kai Kennedy in possession on the left passed to Matty Yates inside the box and a superb turn made space for the shot which Matthew Connelly failed to hold diving to his left and Nathan Young-Coombes walked the loose ball into the net. A couple of minutes later Nathan Young- Coombes passed in from the left and Kieran McKechnie forced a save from the keeper.

The game ended on a Motherwell attack with Hussein Mehlasseb on the right hand byline, the ball broke to Stuart McKinstry who shot straight Brian Kinnear.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Motherwell 0

Rangers:- Brian Kinnear; Nathan Patterson, Danny Finlayson, Harris O’Connor (Kyle McLelland HT); Zack Butterworth (James Maxwell 57 mins); Leon King (Cole McKinnon 61 mins); Joao Balde, Josh McPake (Kieran McKechnie 57 mins); Dapo Mebude (Matty Yates 68 mins), Nathan Young-Coombes, Kai Kennedy.

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Ryan Muir.

Motherwell:- Matthew Connelly; Jack Brown, Davis Devine, Yusuf Hussain, Sam Muir; Reece McAleer; Dean Corneilius, Liam Motherwell ( Jamie Harrison); Max McGuigan (Kyle Smple), Cole Starrs (Hussein Mehlasseb), Stuart McKinstry.

2006’s Put Ten Past Exeter City

Rangers 10 Exeter City 0

Unlike yesterday’s 2005 game which was quite competitive tonight’s 2006 game was virtually a procession towards the Exeter goal. Rangers two keepers barely got a touch over the ninety minutes and the young Rangers side could easily have had a bigger tally.

Rangers first effort came in the opening minute the ball was played forward to Elliot Dunlop and his shot forced a save from the keeper diving to his right. Rangers took the lead five minutes later, Elliot Dunlop cut in from the right and when his shot came back off the keeper’s left hand post Rory Wilson was on hand to knock the rebound into the net.  

Just after the midpoint of the period Crispin McLean exchanged passes with Zander Hutton on the right side of the penalty area, the former then side stepped a defender inside the box but his shot was weak and the keeper saved comfortably. With less than five minutes of the period remaining Exeter crossed from the left and when the ball broke kindly for an attacker it took a superb block from Niall Rogerson to avert the danger.

Rangers doubled their lead in the final minute of the period, Crispin McLean set off on a mazzy run into the right side of the box, he went past two defenders before being tripped by the third and got up to convert from the spot. An early goal came at the start of the middle period Ethan Sutherland crossed from the left and the ball broke off a defender to Rory Wilson who scored from close range. 

At the midpoint of the period Elliot Dunlop passed to Rory Wilson inside the left side of the box and he forced a save from the keeper. Rangers then worked a short corner on the left with Ethan Sutherland, Dylan Brown and Elliot Dunlop combining with the latter’s shot forcing a fine save from the keeper diving to his left.

There was five minutes of the period remaining when Kerr Robertson passed to Rory Wilson and a superb turn took him clear of a defender but his shot came back off the outside of the keeper’s right hand post. But the Rangers striker wasn’t to be denied and Rory Wilson robbed a defender before continuing into the box and shooting past the keeper.

The final period was just over five minutes old when Rory Wilson pounced on a slack Exeter pass across their own penalty area but was denied by a fine save from the keeper. A couple of minutes later Rangers grabbed a fifth, Rory Wilson passed to Ethan Sutherland on the left and continued his run to receive the return pass and shoot past the keeper.

Rangers were now creating chances at will and the next goal came when Rory Wilson raced through on an Ethan Sutherland pass to round the keeper and roll the ball into the net. Crispin McLean then  collected a pass from Zander Hutton, he cut in from the right along the eighteen yard line leaving two defenders in his wake to tee up Kerr Robertson whose shot forced the keeper to tip over.

Rangers scored again when Dylan Brown played the ball forward to Ethan Sutherland on the left and the winger’s cross sailed over the keeper and into the net. Rangers the added three further goals in the final five minutes and also manged to hit a post. Goal number eight came when Zander Hutton crossed from the right and Elliot Dunlop glanced a header just inside the far post.

Rory Wilson then latched on to a slack back pass and fired a shot against the keeper’s right hand post.  He was then on target again seconds later, Crispin McLean providing the through ball for Rory Wilson to shoot past the keeper. The scoring was complete when Kerr Robertson and Rory Wilson combined to set up Ethan Ross to blast past the keeper from deep inside the left side of the penalty area.

Full-Time:- Rangers 10 Exeter City 0

Rangers Squad:- Sam Kane (Gk), Evan Anderson (Gk), Zander Hutton, Niall Rogerson, Leighton Grant, Dylan Brown, Jamie Bradley, Kerr Robertson, Crispin McLean, Elliot Dunlop, Rory Wilson, Kole Connelly, Cooper Knox, Ethan Sutherland.

Reserves Go Top On Goal Difference

Celtic 0 Rangers 2

Rangers reserves went top on goal difference this afternoon with a fine win over Celtic at Firhill, it was a deserved win for the Rangers youngsters who were the more clinical side. Although Hibs could jump ahead on goal difference if the beat Dundee United later today, but they have played a game more.

Celtic threatened in the opening minute when Michael Johnston went past Jordan Houston on the left and fired across the six yard box. Seven minutes later some skillful play from Michael Johnston on the left created a chance for Ewan Henderson inside the box but he shot wide of the far post.

Rangers had a great chance on eighteen minutes, Jordan Houston played the ball forward on the right, a superb Josh McPake turn on the halfway line took him away from Daniel Church, he cut inside and headed for the penalty area and picked out the unmarked Stephen Kelly inside the left side of the box but he shot high over from a good position. Nine minutes before the break Karamoko Dembele in possession on the right laid the ball back for Tony Ralston whose cross found the head of Barry Coffey but his effort was straight at Andy Firth.

Rangers replied immediately when Glenn Middleton cut in from the right and his reverse pass released Cammy Palmer inside the right side of the penalty area but he was denied when Ryan Mullen diverted his shot wide of the near post.

Half-Time:- Celtic 0 Rangers 0

Rangers took the lead four minutes after the break, Stephen Kelly won the ball in midfield and he passed to Kai Kennedy whose through ball sent Glenn Middleton clear to continue into the box and shoot past Ryan Mullen. Rangers next chance came from a brilliant passing move involving Matthew Shiels, Kai Kennedy, Stephen Kelly and Matt Polster to setup Glenn Middleton unmarked inside the left side of the box but on this occasion he was denied by a Ryan Mullen save.

With the game now inside the final quarter-hour Matt Polster passed to Dapo Mebude on the left, he passed inside to Stephen Kelly and his shot from the edge of the box forced Ryan Mullen to tip over. With nine minutes remaining Michael Johnston was allowed space to attack the left side of Rangers box, he went past Aidan Wilson and tried to score from a narrow angle but Andy Firth saved at his near post.

A minute later Karamoko Dembele passed to Michael Johnston inside the left side of the box, he fired across the six yard box with no takers. Rangers immediately broke to the other end and when Glenn Middleton played the ball to Nathan Young-Coombes inside the right side of the box his shot from the right hand angle of the six yard box was deflected wide.

Rangers made the points safe with two minutes remaining, a quick break saw Nathan Young-Coombes pass to Stephen Kelly who broke deep into Celtic’s half where he played in Glenn Middleton inside the right side of the penalty area and he held off a defender before shooting past Ryan Mullen.

Full-Time:- Celtic 0 Rangers 2

Celtic:- Ryan Mullen; Tony Ralston, Stephen Welsh, Jack Hendry (Wallace Duffy 47 mins), Daniel Church; Barry Coffey (Ross McLaughlin 58 mins), Kerr McInroy; Ewan Henderson; Karamoko Dembele, Armstrong Oko-Flex (Jack Aitchison 58 mins), Michael Johnston.

Not Used:- Reece Willison (Gk), Leo Mazis, Grant Savoury, Scott Robertson.

Rangers:- Andy Firth; Jordan Houston (Reece Breen 89 mins), Aidan Wilson, Lewis Mayo, Matthew Shiels; Matt Polster; Cammy Palmer; Stephen Kelly; Josh McPake (Nathan Young-Coombes 80 mins), Glenn Middleton, Kai Kennedy (Dapo Mebude 64 mins).

Not Used:- Kieran Wright (Gk), Danny Finlayson, Ben Williamson, James Maxwell.

2005’s Edge Out Exeter City

Rangers 3 Exeter City 2

It perhaps seems a bit of a random fixture, but a wee bit of research will show that in the last three years Exeter City have sold three academy players for fees totalling over £5,000,000. Ollie Watkins to Brenford, Matt Grimes to Swansea City and Ethan Ampadu to Chelsea. This is more than the other twenty-three League Two clubs combined. This would go some way to explaining why Rangers will entertain three of their side over the next two days.

Today it was Rangers 2005’s who won a bit more comfortably than the scoreline suggests, with Exeter grabbing their second goal virtually on the final whistle.

There was little goalmouth action in the early stages and we had reached the quarter-hour mark when Tyler Pasnik picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and forced a save from the keeper. Almost ten minutes later Tyler Pasnik robbed an Exeter central defender and broke into the left side of the penalty area, his shot was powerful but straight at the keeper.

Within sixty seconds Rangers took the lead, a powerful run from Zak McKay took him deep into the Exeter penalty area where he was bundled over with Tyler Pasnik stepping up to convert from the spot. The English side responded by drawing level within two minutes, the attack started on the right and when the striker was played through the centre with the Rangers defence claiming offside,  he continued into the box and shot past Jacob Pazikas.

Rangers were back in front seven minutes before the break and it again came from a Tyler Pasnik penalty. The award came when Tiaman Scott showed great skill on the left side of the box to go past two defenders and was tripped as he took on a third.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Exeter City 1

Rangers came close in the opening minute of the half when the ball broke to Ricco Diack inside the right side of the penalty area his shot came back off the near post. Within a couple of minutes Exeter cleared the ball from their box as far as Brodie Kerr and he let fly from around thirty yards with the ball clipping the top of the bar on the way over.

Rangers increased their lead on fifty-five minutes, Zak McKay intercepted a cross field pass and raced clear to continue into the box and shoot past the keeper. Just after the hour mark Tyler Pasnik released Ricco Diack inside the left side of the box and he forced a save from the keeper at his near post.

At his point in the game the visitor’s were  rarely an attacking force and when Tyler Pasnik won the ball and broke into the left side of the box the Exeter keeper was again forced into a save. With the game entering the final ten minutes Tiaman Scott attacked and his reverse pass teed up Ricco Diack inside the right side of the box and the keeper saved at his near post.

Exeter who had shown little in attack in the second-half finished the game with a flourish. An attack on the left that took them deep into the left side of the penalty area and Jacob Pazikas was forced to save at his near post. With three minutes remaining another attack on the left saw the ball moved central and then on to the right side of the penalty area with the shot forcing a fine save from Jacob Pazikas low to his right.

Right on the final whistle one of the more powerful Exeter players broke through a couple of challenges and into the box with Jacob Pazikas being a bit unfortunate not to keep out the shot.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Exeter City 2

Rangers Sqaud:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk); Brodie Kerr, Adam Forrester, Kristian Webster, Ryan Murray; Callum Sandilands, Jamie Newton; Gavin Gallagher; Zak McKay, Tyler Pasnik, Tiaman Scott, Zak Queen, Euan Ross, Elliot Dunlop, Ricco Diack.