Routine Win For 18’s

Rangers 4 St.Johnstone 0

Tonight’s game highlighted the strength of Rangers Under 18’s squad with a routine win over St.Johnstone. The visitors held out till just before the break but once Matty Yates made the breakthrough the result was never in doubt.

Rangers came close in the opening minute when Matty Yates passed to Kane Ritchie-Hosler on the left side of the box and his shot was tipped wide of the far post. Barely a minute later Ryan Muir passed to Arron Lyall on the right, he cut into the penalty area and laid the ball back to Alex Lowrie but his shot was just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Just before the quarter hour mark Kane Ritchie-Hosler switched play from the left to Arron Lyall inside the right side of the penalty area, he held the ball up and sent Ryan Muir to the byline who flashed the ball across the six yard box with no takers. A couple of minutes later Murray Miller passed to Matty Yates who burst into the right side of the box with the keeper saving at his near post.

Saints threatened for the first time with a header from a corner on the left with Jay Hogarth diving to his left to save. Only a superb Jay Hogarth save just beyond the half-hour prevented St.Johnstone taking the lead. With Rangers failing to take a couple of opportunities to clear, the attacker throught he had picked his spot in the corner but the Rangers keeper dived to his left to touch the ball wide.

Rangers took the lead a minute before the break,  a push on Murray Miller conceded a free-kick on the edge of Saints box and left of centre, Matty Yates stepped up to fire an unstoppable shot into the keeper’s top left hand corner.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 St.Johnstone 0

Rangers had an early chance after the break, Murray Miller won the ball and passed to Chris McKee inside the left side of the penalty area but the keeper saved. The second goal was only delayed two minutes Aaron Lyall’s shot from close to the right hand byline was fumbled by the keeper with Kane Ritchie-Hosler on hand to knock in the rebound.

Rangers next chance came when Alex Lowry’s ball over the Saints defence allowed Chris McKee to break into the left side of the box but he screwed his shot wide of the near post. Rangers third came just after the hour from the penalty spot, Kane Ritchie-Hosler fed Chris McKee inside the left side of the penalty area where he was brought down, Alex Lowry made is usual confident job from the spot.

Ten minutes later Kane Ritchie-Hosler provided the pass for Chris McKee to break into the right side of the box but he shot wide of the far post. Rangers next chance came from a Connor Allan run on the left, his cross was cleared to the edge of the box where Chris McKee fired just over.

The fourth goal came at the end of a good passing move when Kane Ritchie-Hosler’s pass sent Julian Anderson through, the keeper advanced from his line to make the block but the Rangers midfielder found the net from the loose ball.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 St.Johnstone 0

Rangers:- Jay Hogarth; Ryan Muir (Adam Devine 69 mins), Kyle McClelland, Harris O’Connor, Matthew Henderson; Murray Miller (Cole McKinnon 59 mims); Julian Anderson, Alex Lowry (Leon King 69mins); Arron Lyall (Connor Allan 69 mins), Matty Yates (Chris McKee HT), Kane Ritchie-Hosler.

Not Used:- Grant  Thackray (Gk)