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.