Under 18’s Win Again

Rangers 4 St.Mirren 1

Rangers Under 18’s recorded another comfortable win in tonight’s game at The Hummel Training Centre against St.Mirren. The visitor’s briefly threatened to set up a nervy finish but a linesman’s flag and another goal avoided that.

St.Mirren were first to threaten on eight minutes the attack came on the right and when the ball was passed inside the initial shot was blocked with the rebound going narrowly wide of Grant Thackray’s right hand post. Rangers first attack came when the ball was played out to Ross McAusland on the right, he cut inside before shooting which the keeper saved comfortably.

On twenty minutes Chris McKee latched on to a slack pass and passed to Kane Ritchie-Hosler inside the left side of the box, his shot took a deflection but the keeper managed to change direction and turn the ball wide of his right hand post. A minute later Ross McAusland attacked the right side of the box and played in Chris McKee but his shot was weak and the keeper saved comfortably.

With the mid-point of the half approaching Kyle McClelland’s ball down the right allowed Harris O’Connor to break into the right side of the penalty area but the keeper stood up to save at the near post. On twenty-five minutes a short corner on the left saw a cross from Matty Yates headed back across goal by Kyle McClelland and volleyed over by Chris McKee.

Just after the half hour Matty Yates won possession and fed Ross McAusland inside the right side of the box but he shot wide of the far post. St.Mirren who had shown little in attack won the ball inside the right side of Rangers box and Grant Thackray was forced to block with his foot at the near post.

Rangers took the lead seven minutes before the break, Umaro Balde passed to Robbie Fraser on the left, Matty Yates was stretching to reach the cross and headed up in the air, the ball dropped for Ross McAusland at the back post and he shot across the keeper and into the net. A minute later Ross McAusland cut in from the right and only a fine save prevented his and Rangers second goal.

The visitor’s then broke through the middle and it took a great Harris O’Connor challenge to clear the danger.

 Half-Time:- Rangers 1 St.Mirren 0

Rangers doubled their lead six minutes after the break, Matthew Henderson’s cross from the left sailed over the keeper and stuck the far post with Ross McAusland following up to slam the ball into the net. Eight minutes later Ross McAusland came close to his hat trick, cutting in from the left past a defender his shot forced the keeper to push over.

Rangers went three up with twenty minutes remaining, a superb Arron Lyall solo run took him past two defenders and along the left hand byline before cutting the ball back for Chris McKee to slam past the keeper. The visitor’s reduced the deficit eight minutes later, a free-kick on the right hand byline was crossed to the back post where it was headed back across goal and nodded past Grant Thackray.

A couple of minutes later a Saints free kick from the right hand angle of the box was only just wide of the far post. From their next attack a cross from the right saw a Saints attacker arrive around the same time as Grant Thackray and the ball looped up and off the outside of the keeper’s left hand post.

With ten minutes remaining Umaro Balde passed from the left, inside to Dire Mebude who was tripped as he went past a defender but the ball broke back to Umro Balde and his twenty-five yard short forced the keeper to tip it wide of his left hand post.

With three minutes remaining St.Mirren had the ball in the net and after awarding the goal the referee noticed the linesman’s flag and it was disallowed. Rangers responded by scoring a fourth, again Arron Lyall was the architect, this time on the right, going past a defender before passing across the penalty area for Dire Mebude to beat the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 St.Mirren 1

Rangers:- Grant Thackray; Harris O’Connor (Mackenzie Strachan 57 mins), Lewis McKinnon, Kyle McClelland (Matthew Henderson 40 mins), Robbie Fraser; Umaro Balde, Krystof Hempl; Matty Yates; Ross McAusland (Dire Mebude 68 mins), Chris McKee (Connor Allan 68 mins), Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Arron Lyall 50 mins).

Not Used:- Jack McConnell (Gk).

St.Mirren:- Callum Law; Danny Baker, Carter Frew, Callum Johnston, Sam Ellis; Alex McCaw, Shea Scally, Finlay Gray, Simone Zanda: Lewis Jamieson, Reis Webster.

Subs:- Kyle King (Gk), Max Kerr, Aiden Clocherty, Max Brown, Dylan Reid, Fraser Taylor, Daniel McManus, Paul O’Hare.

Comfortable Win For 2005’s

Rangers 5 Kilmarnock 1

This morning’s game at The Hummel Training Centre was my second 2005 game in four days after Wednesday’s narrow defeat to Hamilton. After a fairly even first half Rangers 2005’s were dominant after the break to run out comfortable winners. 

Rangers took the lead from the penalty spot on thirteen minutes, a Zak McKay solo run took him deep into the Killie penalty area where he went down under a challenge and the referee awarded a rather soft penalty from which Tiaman Scott scored. The visitor’s reply came midway through the half from a shot from the edge of the box that was just wide of Jacob Pazikas right hand post.

On twenty-five minutes Rory Wilson tried his luck from a thirty yard free-kick that the keeper saved low to his right. Two minutes later the sides were level, a free-kick from wide left was allowed to drift to the back post by the Rangers defence where it was fired past Jacob Pazikas.

Rangers then had their keeper to thank for going in level at the break, Jacob Pazikas diving high to his left to turn the ball wide from a free-kick on the edge of the box as half-time approached.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Kilmarnock 1

Rangers were back in front eight minutes into the second half, Elliot Dunlop in possession close to the right hand byline laid the ball back to Adam Forrester and from his cross Callum Sandilands glanced a header inside the far post. On the hour mark a Rangers attack broke down at the edge box but fell for Callum Sandilands whose shot forced the keeper to stretch to tip over.

Rangers third came from the resultant corner, Rory Wilson taking it short to Ryan Murray and his cross sailed over the keeper and into the net. A fine first time Elliot Dunlop pass then released Rory Wilson into the right side of the box but his shot found the side netting.

With just over twenty minutes remaining Killie gifted Rangers  fourth, their defender stood on the ball inside the left side of the penalty area presenting possession to Richard Van Cruigen who rolled the ball across goal to give Ricco Diack a tap in. Kilmarnock responded with an attack into the left side of the penalty area to force a save from Jacob Pazikas.

Rangers immediately went up the other end and added a fifth, from Elliot Dunlop’s pass a great touch and turn into the right side of the box by Rory Wilson allowed him to shoot across the keeper and into the far corner. The final chance came when Ryan Murray hit the left hand byline and from his cross Elliot Dunlop headed it back but just wide of the post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Kilmarnock 1

Rangers Squad:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Zak McKay, Brodie Kerr, Kristian Webster, Adam Forrester, Callum Sandilands, Zak Queen, Jamie Newton, Kian Gunn, Rory Wilson, Tiaman Scott, Ryan Murray, Kerr Robertson, Ricco Diack, Richard Van Cruigen, Elliot Dunlop.

 

Under 18’s Hit Seven

Motherwell 0 Rangers 7

Rangers Under 18’s turned in their best performance of the season so far putting seven goals past Motherwell without reply in tonight’s game at Braidhurst High School. The Ibrox youngsters blew their opponents away with a four goal burst in a ten minute spell in the first half.

Rangers took the lead on four minutes, Alex Lowry’s corner from the left went beyond the back post where Kyle McClelland headed back across goal and Chris McKee headed it back and into the net at the post. Two minutes later Harris O’Connor fed Aaron Lyall inside the right of the box with the keeper saving his shot from a narrow angle. Motherwel’s first threat was an attack on the left and when a dangerous cross came in to the six yard box Kyle McClelland cleared.

Just before the half hour mark Robbie Fraser chased a ball to the left hand byline and passed it back to Alex Lowry who picked out Aaron Lyall inside the left side of the penalty area and he fired  shot off the near post. A minute later Rangers scored a fine goal, Harris O’Connor passed to Alex Lowry on the edge of the box and his back heel found Kane Ritchie-Hosler who teed up Chris McKee too shoot past the keeper.

Within a couple of minute the Rangers striker completed his hat-trick, Alex Lowry took the corner on the right and Chris McKee glanced a header in at the far post.  In Rangers next attack Alex Lowry passed to Chris McKee on the left and he was tripped inside the left side of the box, Alex Lowry confidently stroked the penalty past the keeper.

Rangers looked like scoring with every attack and when Harris O’Connor passed the ball forward to Alex Lowry, he went passed a defender on the edge of the box but the keeper advanced from his goal to make the save. The ball was then played forward on the right, Harris O’Connor’s first pass found Alex Lowry, he passed inside to Chris McKee who fired over.

An Arron Lyall solo run took him deep in to the Motherwell penalty area where he passed to Chris McKee and his shot was touched wide of the left and post by the keeper. Alex Lowry took the resulting corner from the right towards the back post where Kyle McClelland looped a header back across goal and in off the post.

Motherwell had shown little in the way of attack but the broke into the right side of the box with Jay Hogarth saving confidently.

Half-Time:- Motherwell 0 Rangerss 5

Rangers first chance after the break came when Ross McAusland won possession and broke into the left side of the box but his shot was weak and the keeper saved comfortably. Just after the hour mark the home side attacked into the left side of Rangers box, the ball was knocked past Jay Hogarth but Harris O’Connor was on hand to clear.

Midway through the half a Motherwell corner from the left bounced off the bar before being cleared. Rangers scored a fifth with the game entering the final quarter hour, the ball was played out to Matty Yates and his low cross presented Chris McKee with a tap in at the back post. The scoring was completed with two minute remaining. Matty Yates exchanged passes with Chris McKee to break into the right side of the penalty area, the keeper dived to his right to parry the shot but Ross McAusland followed to slam the ball into the net.

Full-Time:- Motherwell 0 Rangers 7

Rangers:- Jay Hogarth; Harris O’Connor, Lewis McKinnon, Kyle McClelland (Ryan Muir HT), Robbie Fraser (Matthew Henderson 69 mins); Umaro Balde, Murray Miller (Krystof Hempl 53 mins); Alex Lowry (Matty Yates 53 mins); Aaron Lyall (Ross McAusland HT), Chris McKee, Kane Ritchie-Hosler.

Not Used:- Grant Thackray (Gk), Adam Devine.

 

2005’s Score Four But Lose

Hamilton Accies 5 Rangers 4

Unable to make the game in Ballymena my alternative was a trip to New Douglas Park to watch the 2005’s face Hamilton Accies. The young Rangers side lost to the odd goal in nine with two rather harsh penalty awards against keeper Scott Cowie being the difference between the sides.

The home side took the lead on five minutes, they attacked through the centre which was halted by a superb Kristian Webster challenge but the ball broke to an Accies player inside the left side of the box and he shot past Scott Cowie. An attack down the left provided the home side with another chance, when the ball was crossed to the back post it took a fine close range save from Scott Cowie to prevent a goal, and he saved again from the ensuing scramble.

Rangers equalised on eighteen minutes, Euan Ross passed the ball forward to Tiaman Scott on the edge of the box and he turned before shooting high past the keeper. Rangers had another chance when Jamie Newton’s free-kick was just beyond Adam Forrester and the ball drifted wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Rangers edged ahead on twenty-five minutes, Jamie Newton and Zak Queen worked a short corner on the right and from the latter’s cross Adam Forrester headed past the keeper at the far post. Within two minutes Hamilton drew level from the penalty spot, the striker broke through the middle and knocked the ball past the advancing Scott Cowie, Kristian Webster got back to clear but the referee judged the Rangers keeper had followed through and caught the striker and awarded a penalty that was converted.

With half-time approaching Hamilton attacked on the right and when the ball broke around the penalty spot the shot was deflected over. Rangers response saw Kristian Webster send Ryan Murray down the left but his cross just evaded the stretching Rory Wilson.

Half-Time:- Hamilton Accies 2 Rangers 2

Rangers were first to threaten after the break with Richard Van Cruigen passing from left to right along the edge of the box where Adam Forrester’s chip had the keeper stretching to touch the ball onto the bar. Within a minute Accies regained the lead, the attack came into the right side of the box and the cross was deflected past the keeper by a defender  for an own goal.

Accies then doubled their lead with their second penalty, Scott Cowie threw himself bravely at the attacker’s feet inside the left side of the penalty area, with both players colliding and sustaining injuries the referee pointed to the spot. The Rangers keeper was unable to continue and was replaced by Jacob Pazikas before the penalty was scored. Rangers got back in the game when the ball was played up to Richard Van Cruigen and his touch released Rory Wilson to shoot past the keeper.

The next goal came from the home side with a pass picking out the midfielder’s run through the middle and he continued into the box and dinked the ball past Jacob Pazikas. Back came Rangers and a ball from inside Rangers half sent Elliott Dunlop through and he calmly lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Full-Time:- Hamilton Accies 5 Rangers 4

Rangers Squad:- Scott Cowie (Gk), Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Zak McKay, Adam Forrester, Kristian Webster, Ryan Murray, Euan Ross, Kerr Robertson, Zak Queen, Jamie Newton, Rory Wilson, Tiaman Scott, Brodie Kerr, Callum Sandilands, Kian Gunn, Richard Van Cruigen, Elliott Dunlop.

Another Win For Under 18’s

Rangers 2 Hearts 0

Rangers Under 18’s made it four wins from four with a comfortable win over Hearts at The Hummel Training Centre tonight. In truth it wasn’t a classic with little in the way of goalmouth action, but Rangers pretty much controlled the game and the result was never really in any doubt.

Although Rangers had the vast majority of possession the first real threat to any goal came from Hearts after the half-hour mark. Sean Ward worked a short corner on the left with Jay Charleston-King before crossing for Arran Darge to head narrowly over. Rangers took the lead two minutes before the break, Aaron Lyall went past a defender on the left and his cross broke to Ross McAusland inside the right side of the box and he shot across the keeper into the far corner.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Hearts 0

Rangers threatened on a couple of occasions at the start of the second half. First up Matty Yates free-kick from the left hand angle of the box was just wide of the near post,  then Ross McAusland’s powerful shot from the edge of the box was held by Harris Spratt. Just before the hour mark Aaron Lyall attacked along the right hand byline and his shot was parried by the keeper before being cleared.

With eighteen minutes remaining Lewis Budinauckas who had been a virtual spectator was put under pressure from a short pass back but the Rangers keeper raced from his line to get there ahead of Aidan Denholm to clear. Rangers were soon back on the attack and when Matthew Henderson crossed from the left hand byline it took Harris Spratt two attempts to gather Ciaran Dickson’s header.

Within sixty seconds Rangers had grabbed a second, when the ball came in from the right Chris McKee laid it back into the path of Alex Lowry whose shot from inside the box seemed to go through the keeper. A solo run from Kane Ritchie-Hosler took him deep into the Hearts penalty area and Harris Spratt blocked the shot with his leg, from the rebound Alex Lowry tried an audacious chip which came back off the face of the crossbar.

The final chance came when Kane Ritchie-Hosler broke from inside his own half into the right side of Hearts penalty area and when he played the ball across goal Chris McKee seemed certain to score until a defender got a touch just ahead of him.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hearts 0

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Adam Devine (Lewis McKinnon 77 mins), Kyle McLelland, Harris O’Connor, Matthew Henderson (Robbie Fraser 82 mins); Umaro Balde, Murray Miller; Ciaran Dickson; Aaron Lyall (Alex Lowry 70 mins), Matty Yates (Chris McKee 57 mins), Ross McAusland (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 57 mins).

Not Used:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Ryan Muir.

Hearts:- Harris Spratt; Callum Flatman, Arran Darge, Michael Aitken (???? ????? 68 mins); Cammy Logan, Scott McGill, Leon Watson, Sean Ward; Jay Charleston-King ( ???? ????? HT), McKenzie Kirk, Aidan Denholm.

Reserve And 2006 Reports

Today was another double header with the reserves/U20’s taking on Hibs this afternoon and the 2004’s hosting Hamilton Accies at night.

Rangers 2 Hibernian 2 (Hibs won 5-4 on penalties)

At lunchtime Rangers reserves/U20’s took on Hibernian in the informal Glasgow FA International Cup. Rangers went in behind after a fairly even first half, but a poor second half show saw then lose a second goal and just when the game looked to be petering out they levelled with two late goals only to lose the penalty shoot out.

Rangers suffered an early blow in the second minute when Jack Thomson picked up an injury and was replaced by Ben Williamson. Hibs had  chance just before the quarter hour when James Maxwell missed a ball across the box and it fell to Fraser Murray who shot across goal and wide of the far post. Rangers immediate reply was a long ball that sent Nathan Young-Coombes clear, he was thwarted when Paddy Martin raced from his goal to block the shot with his leg.

On twenty five minutes Kai Kennedy took a short corner on the left to Jamie Barjonas who turned a defender on the byline and his shot from a tight angle was diverted behind at the near post by Paddy Martin. This time Kai Kennedy’s corner was swung into the box, Lewis Mayo’s powerful header was parried by Paddy Martin to his left and Thomas Block completed the clearance.

Just after the half hour Innes Murray moved the ball forward to Fraser Murray whose shot from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Andy Firth low to his left. The visitors took the lead six minutes before the break, Fraser Murray’s corner from the left was met by Josh Doig at the near post who glanced a header passed Andy Firth.

Rangers reply came from a Jamie Murphy pass inside from the left to Jamie Barjonas  who forced a save from Paddy Martin to his right. The final chance of the half saw Jamie Barjonas fire a thirty yard free-kick just over.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 1

Hibs were first to threaten after the break with Jamie Gullan’s run and cross on the left which was volleyed at the back post by Innes Murray and beat away by Andy Firth. A minute later Innes Murray cut in from the left and his twenty-five yard shot was tipped wide by Andy Firth diving to his left.

Hibs doubled their led on fifty-two minutes, Josh Doig broke forward and passed to Jamie Gullan on the left, his cross into the box was poked past And Firth by Ryan Shanley. There was little in the way of goalmouth action until the game entered the final quarter hour when Jamie Barjonas and Kai Kennedy combined to send James Maxwell to the left hand byline and he fired across the face of goal with no takers.

Kai Kennedy then sent a corner in from the right and Jamie Barjonas glanced a header wide of the far post. With two minutes remaining  Kai Kennedy passed to Nathan Young-Coombes inside the box, the referee judged he was brought down as he turned and he converted the spot kick. Two minutes into injury time Nathan Young-Coombes in possession inside the right side of the box attempted a cross which deflected up in the air, Jamie Barjonas header seemed to be handled on the line by a defender but Lewis Mayo was on hand to volley into the net.

The game then went to a penalty shootout, the first nine penalties were scored but Paddy Martin dived to his left to save Nathan Young-Coombes penalty to win the shootout for Hibs.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hibernian 2 (Hibernian won 5-4 on penalties)

Rangers:- Andy Firth; Zac Butterworth (Rhys Breen 71 mins), Danny Finlayson, Lewis Mayo, James Maxwell; Jack Thomson (Ben Williamson 2 mins), Jamie Barjonas; Kai Kennedy; Eros Grezda (Ciaran Dickson 71 mins), Nathan Young-Coombes, Jamie Murphy (Serge Atakayi HT).

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Joao Balde, Ross McAusland.

Hibernian:- Paddy Martin; Tom James, Kosovar Sdiki, Josh Doig, Thomas Block; Ben Stirling, Josh Campbell; Fraser Murray, Innes Murray, Jamie Gullan; Ryan Shanley.

Not Used:- Alan Combe (Gk), Gregor Woods, Callu Yeats, Jack Hodge.

 

Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

Evening saw Rangers 2006’s (Under 14’s) take on Hamilton Accies, the game came to life in the final thirty minute period with Rangers recording a deserved win.

Rangers threatened when Kerr Robertson sent Finlay Curtis down the right and from his cross Accies keeper got there just before Rory Wilson. The visitors then had a quick break down the right and when the ball was passed inside the shot was fired wide of Evan Anderson’s left hand post.

Ten minutes into the second period Hamilton attacked on the left, the cross was headed clear but the shot from the edge of the box came off the inside of Evan Anderson’s left hand post and went across the face of goal. Rangers reply was a Leyton Grant pass forward to Finlay Curtis whose ball towards the box saw Rory Wilson get a touch ahead of a defender but the keeper had advanced from goal to make the save.

Rory Wilson then got the better of the centre back when chasing Finlay Curtis’s ball into the left side of the box but he shot wide of the far post. A good move saw Rangers move the ball from Jamie Bradley on the right through Kerr Robertson and Sean Phinn to Finlay Curtis inside the left side of the box but he shot over.

Nine minutes into the final period Rangers took the lead, Crispin McLean started the move on the right passing to Finlay Curtis who moved it on to Ethan Sutherland on the left hand angle of the box and he shot over the keeper and into the net. Two minutes after the turn around in the third period Rangers scored again, Ethan Sutherland robbing a defender on the edge of the Hamilton box and knocking the ball to Rory Wilson who slotted past the keeper.

With five minutes remaining Ethan Sutherland again won possession on the edge of the Accies box, he passed to Finlay Curtis who shot over. Hamilton grabbed a consolation in the final minute when Rangers lost possession just outside their own penalty area and the ball was fired past Sam Kane.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers Squad:- Evan Anderson (Gk), Sam Kane (Gk), Niall Rogerson, Rocco Friel, Leyton Grant, Dylan Brown, Kerr Robertson, Cooper Knox, Crispin McLean, Finlay Curtis, Rory Wilson, Ethan Sutherland, Jamie Bradley, Chris Eadie, Sean Phinn, Grant Marchant.

Double Header Hearts Away

Following on from yesterday’s double header at The Hummel Training Centre today’s youth football fix was the 2004 and 2006 fixtures against Hearts at The Oriam.

Hearts 2 Rangers 1

First up was the younger 2006 age group, Rangers could point to the lateness of the winner and hitting the woodwork with the last chance of the game, but over the piece Hearts deserved the win.

The home should have taken the lead as early as the fourth minute, the attack through the middle took their striker deep into Rangers penalty area but his shot was weak which allowed Sam Kane to save low to his right. With the period entering the final ten minutes a Hearts cross from the right clipped the top of Rangers cross bar.

Hearts then moved the ball across the penalty area from right to left and it took a fine save from Sam Kane to ensure the first period ended goalless. Hearts had an early chance in he second period with an attack into the left side of the box and Sam Kane saved the shot with his foot.

Rangers had shown little in attack but ten minutes into the second period Jamie Bradley and Sean Phinn combined on the left to feed Ethan Sutherland and his shot from the left hand angle of the box seemed destined for the net until the keeper leapt to get a touch and divert the ball wide of the far post. A Hearts corner from the right produced a chance for a volley but it was straight at Evan Anderson.

We then had two goals in the dying minute of the second period. Hearts took the lead when the ball was worked into the right side of the Rangers box where it was fired past Evan Anderson. Rangers replied immediately with Finlay Curtis breaking into the right side of the penalty area and he shot across the keeper into the net.

An early attack from Hearts in the third period saw the ball moved from left to right and Evan Anderson was forced to tip the shot over. Just before the final period turn round a Hearts corner from the right was headed out and from the shot Evan Anderson saved high to his right.

Rangers had the first chance after the turn around when Leighton Grant broke forward from defence and passed to Crispin McLean, his pass found Josh Gentles in space inside the left side of the box but he shot wide of the far post. With eight minutes remaining Hearts took the lead, the attack came down the left and when the ball was passed inside it was fired past Evan Anderson.

With two minutes remaining Ethan Sutherland swung in a free-kick from the left side of the box, Sean Phinn rose to head against the crossbar before the ball was cleared. The last action of note saw Leighton Grant red carded when he picked up a second yellow.

Full-Time:- Hearts 2 Rangers 1

Rangers Squad:- Sam Kane (Gk), Evan Anderson (Gk), Rocco Friel, Leighton Grant, Niall Rogerson, Dylan Brown, Grant Leitch, Cooper Knox, Crispin McLean, Finlay Curtis, Josh Gentles, Ethan Sutherland, Jamie Bradley, Sean Phinn, Harry Weir.

 

Hearts 1 Rangers 3

Next up was the 2004 (Under 16’s) clash, a dominant first half performance laid the foundations of Rangers victory. Hearts came into the game a bit after the break but the young ‘Gers side were always in control.

Rangers could have taken the lead in the opening minute, Jack Harkness attacked on the right and when his ball into the box arrived at Gavin Gallagher at the back post the keeper dived to his left to parry the shot. On eight minutes Gavin Gallagher moved the ball forward to Connor Allan on the left, his low ball from the byline flashed across the face of goal just ahead of Robbie Ure and Leyton Dunlop.

Midway through the half Rangers took the lead, Darren McInally won possession in Hearts half, he exchanged passes with Robbie Ure and then released Leyton Dunlop inside the right side of the box to shoot post the keeper. The lead was doubled six minutes later, Gavin Gallagher provided the through ball and Connor Allan outpaced and held off a defender before continuing into the box and slotting past the keeper.

Rangers next chance came when Connor Allan sent Sam Lovie towards the left hand byline, from his cutback Robbie Ure miscued his shot but the keeper was still forced to tip over. Hearts had shown little in way of attack but a slack pass allowed them to break into the left side of the box with Jack McConnell saving the shot from a tight angle.

Half-Time:- Hearts 0 Rangers 2

The home side got back in the game five minutes into the second half, the ball was moved in from the left and the shot flew high past Jack McConnell. Rangers restored their two goal lead within six minutes, Zak McKay’s throw in on the right found Leyton Dunlop and he knocked the ball forward to Robbie Ure whose cross was volleyed past the keeper by Gavin Gallagher.

There was then a lull in the action with both sides making a series of substitutions, which included Under 14 player Rory Wilson for Rangers. There then was a few chances in the closing minutes. A left wing cross for Hearts created a chance for a volley that went over. Leyton Dunlop then sent Robbie Ure breaking into the left side of the box, with Rory Wilson unmarked in the centre he chose to go alone and turned a defender but his shot was pushed over by the keeper. The final action was a Darren McInally solo run through the middle leaving three defenders in his wake that was halted by a brave save at his feet.

Full-Time:- Hearts 1 Rangers 3

Rangers:- Jack McConnell; Jack Harkness, Kelsey Ewan, Harley Ewan, Sam Lovie (Logan Dunachie 60 mins); Mackenzie Strachan (Zak McKay 54 mins): Darren McInally, Connor Allan; Leyton Dunlop, Robbie Ure, Gavin Gallagher (Rory Wilson 60 mins).

 

Double Header Against Hearts

When I realised the earlier 2007 game was 11-a-side I decided to header over and take in both the 2005 and 2007 games. Early goals saw Rangers fall behind but in both games but they came back strongly to record wins.

Rangers 3 Hearts 1

First up was the younger 2007 age group which is a pretty new squad for me but with the help of a couple of parents I managed to identify the players. They found themselves behind after only three minutes. Hearts attacked and they moved the ball across the pitch into the right side of Rangers penalty area where the shot was fired across Alfie Halliwell and into the far corner. Just before the whistle to end the first period Lewis Stewart’s pass sent Arran Kerr through the inside right channel but as he rounded the keeper just outside the box he was brought down. Frankie Aitchison took the free-kick but it was too near the keeper who saved comfortably.

 A superb Alfie Halliwell save at close range prevented Hearts doubling their lead, the striker turned inside the box but the Rangers keeper came from his line to make a brilliant block. Rangers response was a Callum Adamson pass to Lewis Stewart on the left, he cut inside and forced a save from the Hearts keeper.

Five minutes into the third period Rangers were level, Frankie Aitchison took possession from a throw in wide on the left and his cross come shot sailed over the keeper and in off the far post. Rangers edged ahead after another five minutes, Callum Adamson passed to Jayden Fitzpatrick wide on the right and low cross was converted by Frankie Aitchison from around eight yards.

With five minutes remaining Rangers increased their lead with Frankie Aitchison completing his hat trick, Chris Eadie fired in a free-kick from the edge of the box that the keeper parried but the Rangers striker followed in to net the rebound. The game finished with Hearts threatening the Rangers goal, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box and from the shot Greig Thackery had get down to his right to make the save. The ball eventually went out to the left and the cross bounced off Rangers crossbar.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Hearts 1

Rangers Squad:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Greig Thackrey (Gk), Jace McCulloch, Lyall Wark, Callum Adamson, Kenzie McLelland, Duncan Barlow, Arran Kerr, Chris Eadie, Lewis Stewart, Aiden McCallion, Frankie Aitchison, Jack Wylie, Grant Marchant, Jayden Fitzpatrick, Connor Campbell.

 

Rangers 2 Hearts 1

With barely a ten minute wait the 2005 game kicked off and like the younger match Rangers found themselves behind early, this time after six minutes. There seemed little danger as Hearts attacked into the left side of the box but the attacker just got ahead of Euan Ross and toe poked the ball past Jacob Pazikas. Three minutes later the visitors really should have doubled their lead, the attack took them to the right hand byline and when the ball was cut back it was fired high over from the edge of the six yard box.

Rangers drew level from the penalty spot just after the quarter hour mark, Rory Wilson was brought down as he turned a defender inside the box, Callum Sandilands dispatched the penalty confidently past the keeper. A couple of minutes shy of the half hour Zak Queen headed a Hearts clearance back into the box where Kerr Robertson shot just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

A couple of minutes later a Hearts corner from the left found its way beyond the back post and Jacob Pazikas was forced to tip the shot over. Rangers took the lead seven minutes before the break, Adam Forrester sent a free-kick ten yards inside the Hearts half towards the left side of the penalty area where Tiaman Scott headed back across goal and Rory Wilson nodded past the keeper.

Hearts had a chance from the edge of the box on the stroke of half-time with Jacob Pazikas diving to his left to make the save.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hearts 1

After a tame opening period to the second half there was twenty minutes on the clock when Ryan Murray broke into the left side of the box to test the keeper from a narrow angle. Hearts then attacked on the right and when the ball went beyond the back post it took a superb Adam Forrester block to divert the ball behind.

With fifeteen minutes remaining Richard Van Cruigen turned on the edge of the box and his shot saw the keeper dive high to his right to make the save. Rangers next chance came from a Zak Queen’s free-kick from wide on the left that had the keeper stretching to tip over.

In the final minute a brilliant double save from Scott Cowie ensured Rangers held on for the win. First he saved a close range header from a left wing cross and reacted to save from the rebound before the ball was cleared.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hearts 1

Rangers Squad:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Scott Cowie (Gk), Euan Ross, Adam Forrester, Kristian Webster, Ryan Murray, Callum Sandilands, Jamie Newton, Kerr Robertson, Zak Queen, Rory Wilson, Tiaman Scott, Brodie Kerr, Kian Gunn, Ricco Diack, Richard Van Cruigen.

18’s Hit Five At Lesser Hampden

 Queen’s Park 1 Rangers 5

Rangers Under 18’s recorded another league win, this time over Queens Park at Lesser Hampden tonight. The game had been brought forward, which Rangers were happy to do despite several players unavailable through injury and international call ups.

The home side were first to threaten with an attack into the right side of Rangers penalty area with Jay Hogarth standing up to block the shot with his leg. On the quarter hour mark Queens attacked again, this time into the left side of the box with Jay Hogarth turning the ball behind at his near post.

Within a minute Rangers took the lead, Nathan Young-Coombes broke from his own half to deep inside the right side of the penalty area where he went down under a challenge. The referee allowed play to continue put the linesman indicated a penalty with Ciaran Dickson converting the rather soft award. A few minutes later the ball broke for Ciaran Dickson which allowed him to break into the left side of the box with keeper Evan Collumbine getting a touch to divert the ball over.

With the half-hour mark approaching Alex Lowry won possession and released Ciaran Dickson inside the left side of the box but he shot across goal and wide of the far post. The next attack came for the home side which took them to the right hand byline and when the ball was cutback the shot was straight at Jay Hogarth.

Queens had an another chance a minute later, a ball over the top of Rangers defence allowed Reece McGuire to break into the right side of the box and Jay Hogarth was forced to tip the shot wide of his right hand post. Seven minutes before the break Rangers doubled their lead with a fine goal, Alex Lowry passed to Aaron Lyall wide of the right and he picked out Ciaran Dickson inside the box and he shot high past the keeper.

Half-Time:- Queens Park 0 Rangers 2

Ten minutes into the second half Queens Park switched play from left to right and when they broke into the box the referee pointed to the spot for the second soft award of the game. Gregor Nicol sent Jay Hogarth the wrong way from the spot. Rangers immediately restored their two goal lead, the attack came down the left and when Evan Collumbine parried the cross it went straight to Matty Yates who fired into the net from around ten yards.

With twenty-five minutes remaining Queens put together a fine move and Jay Hogarth made a decent save from the right wing cross. The Rangers keeper was called into action again with the game entering the final ten minutes, saving a twenty-five yard strike low to his left.

Rangers added further goals in the final couple of minutes, a superb first time pass from Dire Mebude allowed Alex Lowry to break from halfway, he fed Matty Yates on his left and he continued into the box to shoot past the keeper. The last action saw a Connor Allan pass to Alex Lowry and he sent Matty Yates clear to go on and shoot past the keeper and complete his hat-trick.

Full-Time:-Queens Park 1 Rangers 5

Queens Park:- Evan Collumbine, Mark McQude, Kai O’Neill, Euan Rodger, Aiden McDonald, Drew Marshall, Andy Caffrey, Alex Bannon, Reece McGuire, Callum Biggar (Dylan Kerr 68 mins), Gregor Nicol.

Subs:- Adam Fernie, Alfie Robinson, Ben Kerr, Matthew McConnechy, Sean Coyle.

Rangers:- Jay Hogarth; Ryan Muir (Harley Ewan 80 mins), Adam Devine, Harris O’Connor, Matthew Henderson (McKenzie Strachan 77 mins); Umaro Balde, Ciaran Dickson (Connor Allan 86 mins); Aaron Lyall (Dire Mebude 62 mins), Matty Yates, Alex Lowry; Nathan Young-Coombes (Robbie Fraser 62 mins).

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Kelsey Ewan