Under 16’s Clinch League Title

Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers 2004’s (U16’s) secured the point they required to win the league with two games to spare, a comfortable win over Hamilton Accies took them over the line. With six players unavailable Rangers utilised the allowed option of fielding two Under 17’s, this was balanced out with two Under 15’s starting, another two on the bench along with an Under 14.

Rangers came close to taking the lead before the ten minute mark, Connor Allan progressed on the right hand byline before cutting the ball back to Leyton Dunlop whose shot was blocked on the line. Five minutes later they were more successful, Robbie Ure exchanged passes with Gavin Gallagher, his shot from the edge of the box forced a fine save from the keeper low to his left but Leyton Dunlop followed up to fire the rebound into the net.

On twenty minutes Connor Allan again made the byline on the right, he passed inside to Robbie Ure who laid the ball back to Leyton Dunlop and his shot was saved by the keeper to his right. Hamilton threatened five minutes later with an attack that took them into the left side of Rangers penalty area with Jack McConnell standing up to block the shot with foot.

Rangers were immediately back on the attack and when Robbie Fraser’s through ball sent Robbie Ure through he tried to dink the ball past the keeper who was alert and made the save. 

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers first chance of the second half came five minutes after the break, Mackenzie Strachan passed to Leyton Dunlop whose shot from the edge of the box and left of centre was tipped over. Within a minute Rangers doubled their lead, Robbie Fraser crossed from the left and when the ball fell to Matthew Henderson around the penalty spot he shot past the keeper.

Within a couple of minutes Rangers scored again, this time from the penalty spot. Gavin Gallagher provided the through ball and Robbie Ure was fouled inside the box in the act of shooting, before sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot. Rangers next chance came when Connor Allan broke forward from the back and passed to Gavin Gallagher whose through ball released Rory Wilson inside the left side of the box but he shot straight at the keeper.

The final quarter hour was approaching  when Jack Harkness broke down the right, his cross was met on the volley by Rory Wilson which the keeper parried with the Rangers striker volleying the rebound just over. A minute later the ball was moved from Gavin Gallagher through Leyton Dunlop to Jack Harkness on the right, his low cross was converted at close range by thirteen year old Rory Wilson. 

The visitors threatened with a shot from around twenty-five yards that Jack McConnell turned wide of his right hand post diving low to his right. Rangers were soon back on attack and when Leyton Dunlop passed inside from the right to Rory Wilson his shot was cleared from the line.

Rangers fifth came with a couple of minutes remaining and it was a carbon copy of the fourth, Jack Harkness providing the right wing cross and Rory Wilson applying the close range finish.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers:- Jack McConnell; Zak McKay (Rory Wilson 37 mins), Adam Forrester, Jack Harkness, Matthew Henderson; Mackenzie Strachan (Callum Sandilands 68 mins), Robbie Fraser; Connor Allan; Leyton Dunlop, Robbie Ure (Zak Queen 68 mins), Gavin Gallagher.

Not Used- Scott Cowie (Gk)