Challenge Cup Defeat For Colts

 

Rangers 0 Ayr United 3

Rangers Colts were well beaten by Ayr United in the Challenge Cup at Dumbarton tonight, The Rangers youngsters were competitive in the first half and were a bit unfortunate to be behind at the break. The second half was different with Ayr bring dominant and Rangers finishing the game without forcing a save from Aidan McAdams.

Rangers had the first opportunity on ten minutes when Charlie Lindsay capitalised on hesitancy in the Ayr defence to burst into the right side of the box but he shot over. For the next twenty-five minutes or so the game was fairly even with neither side really troubling the keeper. 

On thirty four minutes Murray Miller played the ball out to Robbie Fraser on the left and from his cross Charlie Lindsay’s volley was deflected over. Five minutes later the Ibrox youngsters were behind, Andy Murdoch crossed from the right and it was flicked on by Michael Moffat for Daire O’Connor to shoot past Kieran Wright.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Ayr United 1

The visitors had the first real chance of the second half, from Daire O’Connor’s cross from the right Joe Chalmers headed straight Kieran Wright. Within a minute Daire O’Connor beat Kieran Wright with a shot from the edge of the box but the ball rebounded from the keeper’s right hand post.

Rangers then threatened at the other end when Leon King’s glancing header from Robbie Fraser’s corner from the right was only just past the far post. Ayr were soon back on attack and when Daire O’Connor crossed from the left, Mark McKenzie flicked on for Markus Fjortoft to head over at the back post.

Ayr United doubled their lead with sixteen minutes remaining, Joe Chalmers giving Kieran Wright no chance from a twenty-five yard free-kick. Three minutes later the visitors added a third, Kieran Wright failed to deal with Steven Bradley’s corner from the right allowing Markus Fjortoft to head into the net at the back post.

Ayr could have scored a fourth in the final minute, Michael Moffat broke on the right, his low cross found Tomi Adeloye who’s shot came back off the keeper’s right hand post, Cameron Salkeld fired in a shot from that rebound with Kieran Wright producing a fine save to turn the ball over.

Full-Time:- Rangers 0 Ayr United 3

Rangers:- Kieran Wright; Adam Devine, Lewis MacKinnon, Leon King (Kelsey Ewan 76 mins), Robbie Fraser; Murray Miller (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 51 mins); Cole McKinnon, Charlie McCann, Charlie Lindsay; Ross McCausland (Robbie Ure 81 mins), Tony Weston.

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Jack Harkness, Mackenzie Strachan

Ayr United:- Aidam McAdams; Jordan Houston (Alex Jeanes 80 mins), Markus Fjortoft, Sean McGinty, Finn Ecrepont; Aaron Muirhead (Cameron Salkeld 56 mins), Andy Murdoch (Steven Bradley 67 mins); Michael Moffat; Joe Chalmers, Mark McKenzie (Patrick Reading 80 mins), Daire O’Connor (Tomi Adeloye 67 mins)

Not Used:- Charlie Albinson (Gk), Jack Baird, Kinlay Bilham