Third Defeat For U18’s

Hibernian 2 Rangers 1

A deflected shot a couple of minutes past the hour condemned Rangers Under 18’s to their third defeat in four league games. Despite taking an early lead, once the home side edged ahead in a game of few chances the young Rangers side never looked like taking anything from the game.

With the game on the artificial pitch inside the Hibernian Training Centre viewing wasn’t ideal, watching through a mesh fence. This made identifying the unfamiliar Hibs players difficult, especially when play was at the far end.

Rangers took the lead on seven minutes, the Hibs defence struggled to deal Charlie Lindsay’s corner from the left and as the ball bobbled around the box it eventually fell for Tyler Pasnik who fired into the net from the edge of the six yard box. Jack McConnell was called into action on twenty-eight minutes, the ball was headed into Rangers box from the right and volleyed goalwards with the Rangers keeper saved comfortably.

Within a minute the sides were level, the shot coming from the left hand angle of the box, across Jack McConnell and into the far corner. The Rangers keeper was in action again just before the break, saving a free-kick from just outside the penalty area low to his left.

Half-Time:- Hibernian 1 Rangers 1

Hibs came close four minutes into the second half, a powerfully struck free-kick had Jack McConnell divining to his right with the ball just going wide of his post. The home side took the lead on sixty-four minutes, the shot from the edge of the box deflected off a defender and with Jack McConnell already heading in the other direction the keeper was left helpless.

Neither keeper was really troubled for long spells with the home side edging territorial possession. The nearest Rangers came to threatening an equaliser came inside the final ten minutes when Jack Roberts chased a ball through the inside right channel, the Hibs keeper raced from his goal line to clear for a throw in as the players came together just inside the box.

Full-Time:- Hibernian 2 Rangers 1

Hibernian:- Murray Johnson; Jacob Blaney, McKenzie Weir, Kanayo Megwa; Josh McCulloch, Murray Aitken, Oscar McIntyre; Ethan Laidlaw, Robbie Hamilton, Connor Young; Josh O’Connor.

Subs:- Josh Blair (Gk), Malik Zaid, Freddie Wylie, Ben Reilly, Jacob McIntyre, Rudi Molotnikov.

Rangers:- Jack McConnell; Jack Harkness, Kelsey Ewan, Harley Ewan (Kristian Webster 81 mins), Zak McKay; Mackenzie Strachan; Ryan Duncan, Charlie Lindsay; Tyler Pasnik (Kyle Semple 63 mins); Robbie Ure, Rory Wilson (Jack Roberts 71 mins)

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Zak Queen, Kerr Robertson.