Easy Win For Colts

Rangers 9 Vale Of Leithen 0

Facing a team that have only scored two goals and lost forty-five in their previous nine league games today was never going to be a challenge or a game that any of the players learned anything. And so it proved as Rangers scored nine and could have scored many more.

There was eight minutes on the clock when Charlie McCann passed to Ross McCausland inside the right side of the penalty area, he turned inside a defender and brought out a fine save from Ross Gilpin, diving to his right to turn the ball round the post. Rangers took the lead on thirteen minutes, Robbie Fraser provided the cross from the left which was controlled by Ross McCausland and he found the net via the inside of the keeper’s right hand post.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled, Jack Harkness crossed from the right, a cushioned header from Arron Lyall teed up Ross McCausland who beat the keeper with a composed finish. Midway through the half a Ross McCausland solo run took him past a couple of defenders but his shot was straight at Ross Gilpin.

On thirty-three minutes Charlie McCann broke forward and exchanged passes with Arron Lyall but his shot was just wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Rangers third goal came two minutes later, a ball played forward was laid off by Tony Weston for Arron Lyall to beat the keeper from the edge of the box.

On the stroke of half-time Ross McCausland completed his hat-trick, from Robbie Fraser’s cross from the left his header again found the net via that right hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 4 Vale of Leithen 0

Five minutes after the break Charlie McCann’s pass found Jack Harkness breaking into the right side of the penalty area with Ross Gilpin standing up to make the save. A further five minutes had passed when Rangers scored a fifth, Jack Harkness hit the right byline and his cutback was fired into the net by Tony Weston.

Rangers score a sixth on sixty-three minutes, Murray Miller passed to Arron Lyall on the right hand angle of the box and he gave the keeper no chance as he fired into the far top corner. With a quarter hour remaining Rangers moved the ball from left to right across the eighteen yard box for Murray Miller to strike which Ross Galpin saved.

The next goal came with ten minutes remaining and it was a debut goal for Juan Alegria, racing into the right side of the box on a Ross McCausland flick he blasted the ball past the keeper. Goal eight soon followed, when Vale of Leithen failed to clear a corner from the left the ball eventually broke to Lewis Mackinnon to net from around eight yards.

The scoring was completed with two minutes remaining, Arron Lyall providing the through ball for Juan Alegria, this time inside the left side of the box and he slotted the ball past the keeper. I would have liked to report on a Vale of Leithen attack but they didn’t have any.

Full-Time:- Rangers 9 Vale of Leithen 0

Rangers:- Arron Cervantes; Jack Harkness, Lewis MacKinnon, Kyle McClelland (Greig Allen 51 mins), Robbie Fraser; Mackenzie Strachan; Murray Miller, Charlie McCann (Leyton Dumlop 51 mins); Ross McCausland, Tony Weston (Juan Alegria 60 mins), Arron Lyall.

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Kelsey Ewan, Cole McKinnon, Alex Lowry.

Vale of Leithen:- Ross Gilpin; Fraser Stewart, Ross Aitken, Guy Kerr, Colin McParland; Matteo Crolla, Alex Munro, Andy Martin, Gregg Melvin, Jordan Sykes; Mark Kwadwo Afedzie-Hayford.

Subs:- Ger Rossi, Lewis Meechan

Colts Make It A Uni Double

Edinburgh University FC 0 Rangers 3

Rangers Colts made it a university double at East Peffermill this afternoon, following Tuesday’s comfortable win over Stirling University it was another straightforward win against the Edinburgh students today.

Rangers dominated possession in the early stages but without troubling Nick Buxton in the Edinburgh University goal, but he was called into action in the twentieth minute and Rangers then took the lead from the resultant corner. Aaron Lyall in possession on the left passed inside to Alex Lowry who’s shot the edge of the box was turned wide of his right hand post by Nick Buxton. Robbie Fraser played the corner short to Charlie McCann who went past two defenders into the left side of the penalty area before teeing up Lewis MacKinnon to net from the edge of the six yard box.

Just after the half hour mark Arron Lyall passed to Ross McCausland on the right, he went past a defender before shooting straight at Nick Buxton.  Ross McCausland tested the keeper again five minutes later, attacking on the right, going past two defenders but again his shot was too straight. Nick Buxton then excelled getting down low to his left to turn Arron Lyall’s shot from the left hand angle of the box wide of the post.

Four minutes before the break Robbie Fraser sent a corner from the right towards the back post and Leon King’s looping header was only just over. A couple of minutes later from a free kick on the edge of the box and right of centre Robbie Fraser forced a save from Nick Buxton diving to his right. Just before the half time whistle the home side had what was really their only attack of the half. Max Condie broke forward on the left and exchanged passes with Patrick Baird but his shot from the edge of the box was wide of the far post.

Half-Time:- Edinburgh University FC 0 Rangers 1

Rangers came close two minutes after the break, Ross McCausland attacked the right side of the penalty area and from his chip to the back post Robbie Fraser’s volley was net bound but Ross McGuire blocked on the line. Rangers broke quickly on the hour through Tony Weston on the inside right channel, the ball moved through Robbie Ure to Alex Lowry who shot straight at the keeper.

Within a minute an exchange of passes involving Robbie Ure, Alex Lowry and Murray Miller set up a shooting chance from Charlie McCann but it went just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Rangers next chance came when Robbie Fraser sent Alex Lowry down the left, he continued into the penalty area, cut inside a defender but shot over.

Rangers were now creating regular chances and when Alex Lowry sent Robbie Ure into the right side of the box he turned a defender but shot wide of the far post. Midway through the half Rangers doubled their lead, Robbie Ure dispossessed Louis Squires inside the home side’s penalty area and he rolled the ball across the box for Alex Lowry to fire into the net.

The final quarter hour was approaching when Alex Lowry broke into the right side of the penalty area and forced a good save from Nick Buxton. The ball was cleared from the box as far as Cole McKinnon but his twenty five yarder was straight at the keeper. From some good interplay on the right hand angle of the box Tony Weston was presented with a shooting chance that bounced of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers scored a third with five minutes remaining, Tony Weston broke into the left side of the penalty area and his chip across goal saw Cole McKinnon arrive and stoop to head past the keeper. Arron Cervantes was finally called into action a couple of minutes later, getting down to block Matthew Brown’s shot from inside the left side of the penalty area.

Full Time:- Edinburgh University FC 0 Rangers 3

Edinburgh University:- Nick Buxton; Luke Murray, Ross McGuire, Louis Squires (Louis Maurice 77mins), Max Condie; Matthew Dick, Aidan Kemp; David Maskrey (Alex Hamilton 73 mins), Innes Lawson, Matthew Brown, Patrick Baird.

Not Used:- Conor Barnes (Gk), Robbie Sinclair, Isaac Watson.

Rangers:- Arron Cervantes; Jack Harkness (Kelsey Ewan 80 mins), Lewis MacKinnon, Leon King, Robbie Fraser; Murray Miller; Cole McKinnon, Charlie McCann; Arron Lyall (Tony Weston 56 mins), Ross McCausland (Robbie Ure 56 mins, Alex Lowry.

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Greig Allen.

First Half Blitz From U16’s

Rangers 5 Ayr United 1

Rangers Under 16’s hit five past Ayr United in the first half at The Rangers Training Centre tonight. A bit of credit must go to the youngsters from Ayr who effectively won the second half, by scoring the only goal.

Rangers came close in the second minute when during an attack the ball broke kindly for Robbie Peffers who thundered a shot off the crossbar. A couple of minutes later Ethan Sutherland sent Dylan Brown into the left side of the box with the keeper diverting the ball past his near post. From the resultant corner Crispin McLean’s cross deflected towards the back post where Rocco Friel converted.

The lead was doubled a couple of minutes later, Robbie Peffers was the creator with an attack down the right and his cross to the back post was volleyed past the keeper by Ethan Sutherland. The next chance came when Ethan Sutherland intercepted a pass back ahead of the keeper and his superb touch teed up Crispin McLean who was denied by a spectacular goal line clearance from an Ayr defender.

There was barely twelve minutes on the clock when Rangers added a third, the attack came down the left and when the ball broke for Ethan Sutherland inside the box he shot into the far corner. On twenty minutes Crispin McLean went past two defenders as he made his way along the right hand byline, his cutback picked out Robbie Peffers who forced a save from the keeper.

Ten minutes before the break Robbie Peffers wide on the right laid the ball back to Rocco Friel whose cross found its way to Dylan Brown beyond the back post, his shot was touched onto the near post by the keeper. Rangers fourth goal came five minutes later, Robbie Peffers winning the possession just out side the box, he played in Finlay Curtis who prodded the ball past the keeper.

Ayr had show little in the attacking sense but a run down the right and cross created their first chance which was volleyed over. On the stroke of half-time Rangers scored a fifth, Crispin McLean passed to Rocco Friel on the right and from his cross Sean Phinn’s glancing header found the net via the far post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 5 Ayr United 0

The second half was tame by comparison but ten minutes in Zak Queen’s free-kick from the left hand angle of the box beat the defensive wall and keeper but rebounded off the crossbar. With Just over ten minutes left the visitors got on the scoresheet, a cross from wide right and a few yards inside Rangers half was nodded into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Ayr United 1

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell (Greig Thackray HT); Rocco Friel, Leyton Grant, Niall Rogerson (Jack Wylie 58 mins), Dylan Brown; Cooper Knox, Sean Phinn (Zak Queen HT); Crispin McLean; Robbie Peffers, Finlay Curtis (Josh Gentles 58 mins), Ethan Sutherland (Kieran Wilson HT).

Comfortable Win For Colts

Rangers 5 University of Stirling FC 0

Rangers made quite a few changes from Saturday’s win over Gretna but the outcome was similar with the points secured by the break. Without being disrespectful this theme looks likely to continue with the bottom two teams providing the opposition the next two weekends.

Rangers opened the scoring in the opening minute, the ball was moved from Robbie Fraser on the left via Alex Lowry to Charlie McCann in a central position and on the edge of the box from where he gave the keeper no chance. A brilliant spot by Charlie Lindsay picked out Cole McKinnon breaking into the right side of the penalty area but his shot was just wide of the far post. Midway through the half Rangers were forced into a substitution when Chris McKee was unable to continue and was replaced by Robbie Ure.

The visitor’s first foray into Rangers penalty area saw Robbie McGale make headway on the left, when he passed inside Ben Davidson shot wide of Jay Hogarth’s right hand post. That attack spurred Rangers into doubling their lead within a minute, Kane Ritchie-Hosler was the creator attacking through the inside right channel before picking out Robbie Ure to score with his first involvement in the game.

Rangers broke quickly a couple of minutes before the break through Robbie Ure who passed to Alex Lowry, his pass sent Robbie Fraser into the left side of the box but he screwed his shot wide of the near post. Rangers scored a third just before the half-time whistle, Alex Lowry dispossessed a defender on the edge of the box and rounded the keeper before rolling the ball into the net.

Half-Time:- Rangers 3 University of Stirling FC 0

Five minutes into the second half Charlie Lindsay was through on a pass from Robbie Ure  but he was denied when Ben Fry saved low to his left. Rangers fourth goal came barely a minute later, Charlie Lindsay broke forward and exchanged passes with Robbie Ure and continued into the box to shoot past the keeper.

Rangers next chance came on sixty-five minutes, Charlie McCann sent Ross McCausland down the right, from his return pass the midfielder shot over from inside the right side of the box. The game was into the final twenty minutes when an attack on the right from Euan McGill ended with a pass inside to Louis Kennedy who’s shot was weak and straight at Jay Hogarth.

Rangers then called keeper Ben Fry into action twice in as many minutes, Leon King’s ball over the defence released Robbie Ure to break into the right side of the box with the keeper saving with an outstretched foot. Another pass over the defence created a chance for Ross McCasuland who stepped inside a defender and forcied the keeper to save low to his right.

With six minutes remaining Alex Lowry attacked on the right leaving two defenders in his wake, from his shot Ben Fry got a touch to divert the ball onto the bar and over. A few minutes later Ross McCausland’s shot from the left hand angle of the box was deflected onto the crossbar.

Cole McKinnon then intercepted an attempted pass from defence by Connor Doan but keeper Ben Fry produced another fine save. The scoring was completed in the final minute with a superb Robbie Ure finish, his shot from the edge of the box finding the net via the inside of Ben Fry’s right hand post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 University of Stirling FC 0

Rangers:- Jay Hogarth; Cole McKinnon, Lewis Mackinnon, Leon King, Robbie Fraser; Murray Miller (Mackenzie Strachan 67 mins); Charlie McCann, Charlie Lindsay; Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Ross McCausland 56 mins), Chris McKee (Robbie Ure 24 mins), Alex Lowry.

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Kelsey Ewan, Jack Harkness, Arron Lyall.

University of Stirling:- Ben Fry; Callum Downie (Lucas de Zoeten 57 mins), Jamie Thompson (Joel Taylor 57mins), Conor Doan, Marcus Lavery; Ben Davidson, James Berry; Euan McGill, Louis Kennedy, Robbie McGale (Adam Hutchinson 74 mins), Jamie Penker.

Not Used:- James Stokes, Archie Munro, Buronbeck Mirzasalmax.

Academy Double Header

With the 2008’s and 2006’s scheduled to take on Partick Thistle at Springburn Park and the U18’s playing Morton at The Rangers Training Centre it was a chance to take in two games. I opted to watch the 2008’s at 10 am and the Under 18’s at 1pm.

Partick Thistle 2 Rangers 1

Rangers took an early lead when Alex Smith provided the pass for Thomas Falconer to break in to the left side of the penalty area and shoot past the keeper. Thistle had a chance when a poor clearance from the Rangers keeper saw him stranded from goal but the shot went into the side netting at the keeper’s left hand post.

Thistle equalised early in the second period, the attack initially came into the left side of the box, from the shot  Aaron McAlonan made a fine save but was helpless when the rebound was fired into the net. A good pass the created another good chance for Thistle, this time inside the right side of the box but this time it went across goal and wide.

The next chance came for Thistle from a long range shot that Aaron McAlonan stretched to save. Thistle’s dominance of the second period paid off when they took the lead with the last action of the period. From an attack that took them to the left hand byline the low cross was knocked into the net from close range.

Rangers came back strongly in the final period, their first chance coming when Farai Zvimba crossed from the right and it found Sam McLachlan who moved it on to Flynn O’Brien on the left side of the box with his shot being saved. Rocco McComb then went past a defender and fed Flynn O’Brien with the Thistle keeper coming from his line to make the block.

Some great skill from Flynn O’Brien wide on the left took him clear of two defenders and he sent Murray Shaw racing clear and into the left side of the penalty area but he shot wide of the far post. Rangers then twice came the width of the cross bar from drawing level. Aiden McCallion went past two defenders inside the left side of the penalty area and his shot from a narrow angle was tipped on to the bar and over. When the resultant corner was cleared from the penalty area Aidan McCallion’s shot from just outside the box crashed off the crossbar.

Full-Time:- Partick Thistle 2 Rangers 1

Rangers Squad:- Colbi McQuarrie (Gk), Arron McAlonan(Gk), Jack Caldwell, Matthew McIvor, Ollie Hynd, Thomas Falconer, Sam McLachlan, Aidan McCallion, Lewis Marshall, Zak Richford, Flynn O’Brien, Alex Smith, Connor Owen, Murray Shaw, Rocco McComb, Farai Zvimba, Ben Smylie.

 

Rangers 8 Morton 1

Next up was a trip up to The Training Centre for the U18’s friendly against Morton which Rangers won at a canter. In truth the game was finished as a contest after the quarter hour mark.

Rangers took the lead on seven minutes, Rory Wilson hit the left hand byline and from his cut back Robbie Ure shot past the keeper. The lead was doubled two minutes later, Jack Harkness in possession on the right passed inside to James Graham who found the net from the edge of the box.

Two goals either side of the fifteen minute mark finished the game as a contest. Robbie Ure’s pass sent Jack Harkness to the right hand byline and low centre was converted at close range by Rory Wilson. A carbon copy move with Robbie Ure providing the pass and Jack Harkness the low cross saw James Graham’s shot diverted on to the cross bar by the keeper but he followed up to nod home the rebound.

Morton then had a chance when the ball was played in from the right and volleyed goalwards which forced Jacob Pazikas into a save.

The half hadn’t reached the midway point when Rangers scored a fifth, Connor Allan’s pass sending Robbie Ure through, he cut inside a defender before slotting past the keeper. In Rangers next attack they didn’t score, Robbie Ure providing the pass to tee up James Graham inside the right side of the penalty area with on this occasion the keeper producing a fine save.

James Graham then turned provider sending Rory Wilson through to round the keeper and roll the ball into the net. The same combination almost produced a seventh goal but on this occasion the keeper saved Rory’s shot. The goal was delayed barely a minute, Robbie Ure’s superb first touch allowing him to race clear of the defence and shoot past the keeper.

The final action of the half saw Jacob Pazikas turn a long range shot round the post low to his left.

Half-Time:- Rangers 7 Morton 0

Rangers continued from where they left off and on forty-seven minutes Zak McKay’s cross from the right broke to Robbie Ure but the striker saw his shot blocked. The visitors then threatened with an attack into the right side of the penalty area, with Jacob Pazikas advancing from his line to make the block.

On sixty-five minutes Morton pulled a goal back, from a free-kick on the right hand angle of the box a pre-planned move took them to the byline and the low cross was knocked into the net. Withe the game inside the final quarter hour Leyton Dunlop switch played to Robbie Ure on the left, he played a one-two with Tyler Pasnik and picked out Zak McKay who’s shot was diverted on to the bar by the keeper but the ball rebounded off a defender and into the net for an Own Goal.

Rangers finished with two chances both created by Zak McKay runs to the right hand byline. From his first cutback Tyler Pasnik saw his shot saved, and on the next occasion Jack Roberts shot just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 8 Morton 1

Rangers:- Jacob Pazikas; Jack Harkness (Zak McKay HT), Kelsey Ewan (Greig Allen 60 mins), Harley Ewan ( Kristian Webster 60 mins), Kyle Semple; Leyton Dunlop; Mackenzie Strachan (Ryan Duncan 60 mins), Connor Allan; James Graham (Jack Roberts 60 mins); Robbie Ure, Rory Wilson (Tyler Pasnik 60 mins).

 

Easy Win For Colts

Rangers 9 Gretna 2008 FC 1

Ultimately it was an easy win for Rangers colts against Gretna 2008 at Dumbarton this afternoon, but a strange start to the game suggested otherwise. The visitors lost their keeper to a red card on nine minutes, then took the lead and only a fine block from the foot of Lewis Budinauckas prevented them doubling that lead. From then on it was a procession from Rangers and they could have scored more.

The first real action saw Gretna keeper Matthew Connelly red carded in the ninth minute, Alex Lowry sent the ball over the defence for Chris McKee to chase and the keeper advanced from his area to handle leaving the referee with little option. From the resultant free kick substitute keeper Lee Kilbride saved Alex Lowry’s shot low to his left.

On the quarter hour mark Robbie Fraser passed in from the left to Alex Lowry but his twenty-five yard shot was straight at the keeper. A couple of minutes later Adam Devine on the right passed to Tony Weston who played in Chris McKee inside the right side of the box, he evaded the keeper but shot into the side netting.

On twenty one minutes Gretna took the lead, Robbie Ivison’s attempted pass into the box came straight back to him from a Rangers defender and he strode into the penalty area to shoot past Lewis Budinauckas. With the half hour mark approaching Josh Cooper robbed Charlie McCann and he fed Ewan Cameron breaking into the right side of the penalty area, it took a fine block from the foot of Lewis Budinauckas to prevent a goal, Aidan Duffy latched on to the rebound with his shot deflected wide.

Charlie McCann broke forward from midfield and from his shot from the edge of the box Lee Kilbride saved. Rangers were back on level terms on the thirty third minute, the attack came on the left and when the ball came into the box Cole McKinnon’s shot was blocked, the ball landed for Adam Devine inside the right side of the box and his low shot was turned past the keeper by Chris McKee.

Rangers took the lead a couple of minutes later, Adam Devine broke forward on the right, his cross found its way to Alex Lowry beyond the back post, Lee Kilbride made a fine point blank save but was helpless as Chris McKee netted the rebound. Rangers next chance came from a free kick after Charlie McCann was tripped on the edge of the box, Alex Lowry fired his shot just over.

Charlie McCann was in action again five minutes before the break, advancing to the edge of the box and shooting just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Rangers grabbed a third just before half-time, Cole McKinnon fed Adam Devine on the right and from his low cross Chris McKee beat the keeper with a neat back heel.

Half-Time:- Rangers 3 Gretna 2008 FC 1

The first chance after the break came four minutes in, Charlie McCann passing to Tony Weston on the right hand angle of the box, he cut inside a defender before shooting at the keeper. Five minutes later Alex Lowry released Adam Devine inside the right side of the penalty area, Lee Kilbride saved his effort and reacted to make it a double save from Chris McKee’s shot from the rebound.

The next gaol was only delayed a couple of minutes and when Cole McKinnon passed inside the right back position it released Robbie Fraser to break into the box and shoot across the keeper into the far corner. Just after the hour Robbie Fraser swung in a corner from the left and Leon King’s powerful header rebounded back off the keeper’s right hand post.

Midway through the half Cole McKinnon fed Ross McCausland on the right side of the box and he forced a save from Lee Kilbride. Five minutes later the same combination created another chance with the same outcome from the keeper. Rangers scored a fifth on seventy-two minutes, Tony Weston chased down a pass back and Lee Kilbride’s attempted clearance cannoned off the Rangers striker and into the net.

Two minutes later Murray Miller fed Adam Devine on the right and when Lee Kilbride spilled the full-back’s low cross Tony Weston was on hand to slam the ball into the net. There was ten minute remaining when Robbie Fraser played the ball forward to Kane Ritchie-Hosler, he went past two defenders before beating the keeper from the edge of the box.

Rangers eighth goal came with seven minutes remaining, Cole McKinnon passed to Adam Devine on the right and his cross found Robbie Fraser arriving from the left to power a header past the keeper. The scoring was complete when Cole McKinnon moved the ball forward to Murray Miller who burst past a defender into the box, Lee Kilbride did well to parry his shot but Tony Weston was on hand to net from the rebound.

Full-Time:- Rangers 9 Gretna 2008 FC 1

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Adam Devine, Kyle McClelland (Lewis Mackinnon 65 mins), Leon King, Robbie Fraser; Murray Miller; Cole McKinnon; Tony Weston, Chris McKee (Ross McAusland 59 mins), Alex Lowry ( Kane Ritchie-Hosler 65 mins).

Not Used:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Mackenzie Strachan, Charlie Lindsay, Arron Lyall.

Gretna:- Matthew Connelly; Tobey Emerson (Lorenzo Giovannazzi 59 mins), Conor Duffy, Daniel Harvey, Blair Sneddon; Robbie Ivison, Paul Quinn(Connor Smith 59 mins) ; Ewan Cameron, Josh Cooper, Dean Quinn (Lee Kilbride 9 mins); Aidan Duffy.

Not Used:- Robert Griffiths, Louis Jeffrey.

Challenge Cup Win For Colts

Dumbarton 2 Rangers 3

Rangers Colts seemed to be coasting to the next round with a three goal lead and five minutes remaining on the clock but two late Dumbarton goals made it a nervy ending, but they defended well and finished the game on the front foot to progress safely. Rangers opted to use the option of the two over age players allowed, with Niko Katic and Jake Hastie in tonight’s starting lineup.

Rangers had the first effort on goal on four minutes, when the ball was moved inside from the left Cole McKinnon’s twenty five yarder was just wide of Callum Erskine’s left hand post. Rangers took the lead on twenty one minutes, Alex Lowry passed the ball forward to Jake Hastie and his shot from the edge of the box gave the keeper no chance.

Rangers doubled their lead five minutes later, Adam Devine provided the low cross from the right and Alex Lowry knocked the ball past the keeper from close range. Around the half-hour mark Robbie Fraser on the left played the ball forward to Alex Lowry who laid it back into the path of Charlie Lindsay but his shot was straight at Callum Erskine.

With eight minutes of the half remaining Dumbarton had their first real effort on goal, former Rangers Academy player Carlo Pignatiello swung in a free-kick from the right and Gregor Buchanan header just over at the back post. Rangers were soon back on attack and an interchange of passes created a shooting chance for Charlie McCann on the edge of the box and he forced Callum Erskine to turn the ball over.

Half-Time:- Dumbarton 0 Rangers 2

The first effort of the second half came when Carlo Pignatiello’s corner from the left had Rangers defence under pressure and when the ball came back to the Dumbarton midfielder inside the left side of the box his effort was parried by Lewis Budinauckas at his near post. On the hour a brilliant solo run by Charlie McCann saw him weave his way through the Dumbarton defence but he was denied when Callum Erskine diverted his shot over with an outstretched leg.

Rangers extended their lead with a quarter hour remaining, Charlie McCann broke forward and his chipped pass over the defence sent Tony Weston clear to slam the ball past the keeper. The home side pulled a goal back with four minutes remaining, Callum Wilson’s free-kick from the left was headed past Lewis Budinauckas by Gregor Buchanan at the back post.

Within two minutes Rangers lead was down to a single goal, Callum Wilson was again the creator on the left and his ball into the box was swept home by Eoghan Stokes. Rangers dealt with a few balls pumped into the box and it was the Ibrox youngsters who ended the game on the front foot with Charlie McCann breaking into the right side of the penalty area and forcing a save from Callum Erskine.

Full-Time:- Dumbarton 2 Rangers 3

Dumbarton:- Callum Erskine; Edin Lynch (Ryan Schiavone 59 mins), Ryan McGeever, Gregor Buchanan, Paddy Boyle; Stuart Carswell (Paul Paton 59 mins), Andy Geggan; David Hopkirk (Callum Wilson 69 mins), Carlo Pignatielllo, Ross McLean (Eoghan Stokes 77 mins); Kalvin Orsi (Kris Syvertsen 69 mins).

Not Used :- Sam Muir, Evan Maley, Kirk McKnight, Conner Duthie.

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Adam Devine, Kyle McClelland, Niko Katic (Leon King 70 mins), Robbie Fraser; Charlie McCann; Cole McKinnon (Murray Miller 77 mins), Charlie Lindsay (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 85 mins); Jake Hastie (Arron Lyall 77 mins), Tony Weston, Alex Lowry (Chris McKee 70 mins).

Not Used:- Jay Hogarth (Gk), Lewis Mackinnon, Mackenzie Strachan, Robbie Ure.

Colts Grab Late Winner

Rangers 2 East Kilbride 1

Adam Devine’s strike four minutes from time secured the three points against East Kilbride at Dumbarton this afternoon. It was a deserved win for the Rangers youngsters although the visitors had their chances too.

Rangers took the lead on sixteen minutes, Tony Weston won possession in midfield, took a couple of steps forward before shooting low past Connor Brennan from around twenty-five yards. Just over five minutes later Robbie Fraser on the left passed to Charlie McCann who moved it inside to Alex Lowry whose shot from the edge of the box went narrowly over.

The game had gone beyond the half hour mark when Chris Erskine’s corner from the right caused the Rangers defence problems and it deflected for another corner. Neil McLaughlin took this one from the left, Steven Saunders headed back across goal for Luke Kenny who headed just wide of Lewis Budinauckas right hand post.

Within a minute Chris Erskine crossed from the right for Neil McLaughlin to head towards goal with Lewis Budinauckas saving comfortably. The Rangers keeper was called into more serious action a few minutes later, leaping to tip over James Stevenson’s thirty yard free-kick. The final goalmouth action of the half saw Neil McLaughlin cut inside Adam Devine to force a save from Lewis Budinauckas.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 East Kilbride 0

Rangers came close to doubling their lead three minutes into the second half, Charlie McCann’s superb pass inside James Stevenson released Adam Devine, from his low cross Robbie Ure couldn’t get a clean connection which allowed Connor Brennan make the save. East Kilbride capitalised on that let off by drawing level within sixty seconds, Neil McLaughlin’s shot from the edge of the box beat Lewis Budinauckas with the aid of a deflection.

With the hour mark approaching Alex Lowry came close from a thirty yard free-kick which was only just wide of Connor Brennan’s left hand post. The midpoint of the half had just past when Charlie Lindsay played a short corner on the left to Robbie Fraser, he passed to Alex Lowry on the angle of the box and he shot narrowly over.

With fifteen minutes remaining Murray Miller broke towards the East Kilbride penalty box and when challenged the ball broke to Tony Weston who shot narrowly wide of the keeper’s right hand post. A couple of minutes later James Stevenson won possession wide left and on the halfway line, he continued into the penalty area to force a superb save from Lewis Budinauckas low to his right.

The visitors came close again a few minutes later Chris Miller passed the ball to James Stevenson wide on the right and from his low cross Craig Malcolm was stretching to get a touch that diverted the ball just wide of the far post. With four minutes remaining, Charlie McCann picked out Adam Devine wide on the right, he cut inside before firing a left foot shot low past Connor Brennan’s left hand.

East Kilbride tried to respond and when Chris Erskine nodded the ball into the box from the right hand angle it took a brave Lewis Budinauckas save at the feet of Daniel McManus to prevent an equaliser. The final action saw Chris McKee chase a long ball and when he was brought down by Luke Kenny the referee thought it was worthy of a red card. From the resultant free-kick Alex Lowry’s strike forced Connor Brennan into a save low to his left.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 East Kilbride 1

Rangers:- Lewis Budinauckas; Adam Devine, Kyle McClelland (Lewis Mackinnon 80 mins), Leon King, Robbie Fraser; Charlie McCann; Cole McKinnon (Murray Miller 60 mins), Charlie Lindsay; Tony Weston, Robbie Ure (Chris McKee 60 mins), Alex Lowry.

Not Used:- Aaron Cervantes (Gk), Mackenzie Strachan, Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Arron Lyall.

East Kilbride:- Connor Brennan; Luke Kenny, Steven Saunders (Blair Malcolm 84 mins), Steven Old, James Stevenson; Chris Miller; Daniel McManus, Greig Stewart (Anthony Brady 67 mins); Chris Erskine, Craig Malcolm, Neil McLaughlin.

Not Used:- Jacob Kean (Gk), Shaun Rodgers, Ciaran McAninch.

High Scoring Game At The Orium

Hearts 5 Rangers 3

Rangers Under 16’s were involved in a high scoring game with Hearts at The Orium this morning. Lots of chances at both ends with Hearts having slightly more chances, Rangers will be disappointed that three of the  goals came from losing possession close to their own penalty area.

Rangers took the lead just after the quarter hour mark, Crispin McLean crossed from the right hand byline for Finlay Curtis to volley past the keeper. Hearts were soon back on level terms with a stunning free-kick from around twenty-five yards and left of centre that flew past Evan Anderson.

Rangers were back in front on twenty-five minutes, Jamie Newton advanced on the left his pass inside found Zak Queen inside the left hand angle of the box and he volleyed across the keeper and into the net. Just after the half hour Rangers lost possession just outside their penalty area and Evan Anderson was given no chance as the shot from twenty yards flew into the top corner.

Evan Anderson was called into action again, Hearts attacked on the left and when the ball was passed inside the shot forced the keeper to dive high to his right to make the save. Hearts moved in front four minutes before the break, Rangers again lost possession and a pass into the right side of the box sent the attacker clear to fire into the net.

On the half-time whistle Rangers again lost the ball allowing Hearts to progress along the left hand byline and when the ball was played across goal it was knocked into the net by a Rangers defender for an own goal.

Half-Time:- Hearts 4 Rangers 2

Rangers had the first chance after the break with an attack built on the right which ended with Kieran Wilson firing a shot off the keeper’s left hand post. In the next attack of significance Rangers pulled a goal back, from an attack of the left Lyall Wark collected the ball inside the box and he showed good skill to side step a defender and shoot past the keeper.

A superb double save then prevented Rangers drawing level, Lewis Stewart provided the through ball to Lyall Wark inside the box and the keeper advanced from the line to make the block, Lewis Stewart pounced to volley the rebound goal wards but the keeper showed great reactions to parry. Hearts were the awarded a penalty after a trip when an attack took them into the right side of the penalty area, but Sam Kane dived to his left to produce a fine save.

Rangers then called the Hearts keeper into action on a couple of occasions, first he dived high to his right to turn a Kerr Robertson twenty-five yarder wide of the post. The corner broke to Cameron Scott on the edge of the box and his powerful strike was again saved by the Hearts keeper.

The home side had a chance when the ball landed for an attacker just beyond the keeper’s left hand post, he tried to chip Sam Kane who just got enough of a touch on the ball to allow Niall Rogerson to head clear. With a couple of minutes remaining Hearts secured the win, a through ball released their substitute striker into the left side of the box and he shot past the keeper.

The final action came from Hearts with an attack in to the right side of the box, from the shot Sam Kane got down to his right to touch the ball on to his right hand post.

Full-Time:-Hearts 5 Rangers 3

Rangers Squad:- Evan Anderson (Gk), Sam Kane (Gk), Zander Hutton, Niall Rogerson, Rocco Friel, Jamie Newton, Kerr Robertson, Robbie Peffers, Crispin McLean, Kieran Wilson, Finlay Curtis, Zak Queen, Leyton Grant, Dylan Brown, Cooper Knox, Sean Phinn, Cameron Scott, Lewis Stewart, Lyall Wark