18’s Finish With Win Over Ayr United

Rangers 2 Ayr United 1

Rangers Under 18’s closed their league programme with a win over Ayr United at The Hummel Training Centre tonight. Rangers fielded a lot of younger players and the late winner came from U15 player Dire Mebude, younger brother of first team debutant Dapo.

The visitors should have taken the lead on five minutes, Owen McGinty’s cross from the left picked out Joy Goma inside the six yard box but he failed to connect properly which allowed Brian Kinnear to make the save. Rangers took the lead on the twenty minute mark, Cole McKinnon passed to Matty Yates on the left and he cut inside before blasting the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box.

Just after the half hour mark the ball was worked inside to Ben Williamson from the right and his effort from fully thirty yards was just too high.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Ayr United 0

A couple of minutes past the hour Ayr equalised from the penalty spot, Owen McGinty exchanged passes on the left to break into the penalty area where he was tripped by Ryan Muir and he converted the penalty. Rangers reply saw Dire Mebude pass to Alex Lowry and his flick allowed Joao Balde to break forward, he passed to Aaron Lyall on the right hand angle of the box, he cut inside before forcing the keeper to save low to his right.

A short corner was worked on the right and Kyle McClelland flicked on Aaron Lyall’s cross, the ball went towards the back post where Leon King met it on the volley but it went straight at the keeper. With nine minutes remaining Rangers took the lead, Ryan Muir provided the through ball for Dire Mebude to race clear and slot past the keeper.

Rangers had further chances before the final whistle to increase their lead. The first came when James Maxwell hit the left hand byline and from his low cross Joao Balde forced a save from his keeper at the near post. Then Alex Lowry played a one-two with Joao Balde and the ball broke to Matty Yates who saw his effort saved. The final chance saw an Alex Lowry’s through ball sending Matty Yates breaking into the right side of the penalty area but he shot wide of the far post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Ayr United 1

Rangers:- Brian Kinnear; Zac Butterworth (Ryan Muir 55 mins), Kyle McClelland, Leon King, Adam Devine (James Maxwell 55 mins); Harris O’Connor (Aaron Lyall 55 mins); Cole McKinnon, Ben Williamson (Alex Lowry 55 mins); Joao Balde; Matty Yates, Chris McKee (Dire Mebude 55 mins).

Not Used:- Jay Hogarth (Gk)