2004’s Easy To A Win At Ralston

St.Mirren 0 Rangers 4

Pre-season hasn’t come yet for the age groups at 2004 and below, so it was off to Ralston Training Ground for a lunchtime kick-off where Rangers 2004’s took on their St.Mirren counterparts.

Rangers took the lead in the opening minute, Robbie Ure passed to Kelsey Ewan who broke into the right side of the penalty area before shooting across the keeper and into the far corner. A couple of minutes later St.Mirren attacked on the left and when the ball was passed inside Jack McConnell came from his goal to block the shot with his legs.

Just before the quarter hour mark Leyton Dunlop struck a free-kick just outside the box and right of centre which forced the Saints keeper into a fine save low to his right. Immediately the keeper’s clearance was flicked on to send the home striker clear but Jack McConnell raced from his box to clear.

Midway through the half Rangers doubled their lead, Kelsey Ewan broke forward on the right and passed to Robbie Ure, he laid the ball back to Tyler Pasnik whose twenty-five yarder gave the keeper no chance as it flew into his top right hand corner. A few minutes later the home striker was through on goal again, it looked like he executed his lob perfectly but Jack McConnell just got enough of a touch on the ball to divert the ball on to the bar.

Rangers extended their lead eight minutes before the break, Robbie Ure cutting in from the left to the angle of the box where he fired into the keeper’s top right corner.

Half-Time:- St.Mirren 0 Rangers 3

Goalmouth action in the second half was limited but Rangers were never in any danger of losing their three goal lead. The half was around twenty minutes old before Rangers scored a fourth. Leyton Dunlop latching on to  poor clearance from the keeper and knocking the ball into the empty net from just outside the box.

Full-Time:- St.Mirren 0 Rangers 4

Rangers:- Jack McConnell; Kelsey Ewan, Harley Ewan, Logan Dunnachie (Kristian Webster 60 mins), Sam Lovie; Jack Harkness; Darren McInally (Euan Ross 60 mins), Mackenzie Strachan (Jamie Newton 60 mins); Leyton Dunlop, Robbie Ure, Tyler Pasnik (Zak McKay 60 mins).

Footnote:- On Saturday I took the opportunity to take in the 2007’s game against St. Mirren at the Hummel Training Centre. At this age they are still playing 9-a-side, and Rangers changed all nine at the halfway stage with Rangers winning 9-2.

The goals came from Frankie Aitchison, Jaydon Fitzpatrick (2), Arran Kerr, Harry Weir, Josh Gentles (2), Chris Eadie (2).

Rangers Squad:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Greig Thackery (Gk), Frankie Aitchieson, Duncan Barlow, Leo Fisher, Grant Marchant, Jaydon Fitzpatrick, Arran Kerr, Jace McCulloch, Cammy Scott, Harry Weir, Jack Wylie, Kenzie McLelland, Lyall Wark, Josh Gentles, Chris Eadie, Grant Leitch, Connor Campbell