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).