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.