18’s Defeat Pointless Accies

Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers Under 18’s recorded an unconvincing win over a Hamilton Accies side who have yet to win a league point after nine games. The opening goal came against the run of play and the added a second on the stroke of half-time, Rangers improved after the break but failed to add to their tally.

The first chance of the game came for the visitors on seven minutes, Gabriel Forsyth got a head to a Rangers clearance and it presented a chance for Myles Gaffney on the edge of the box but he shot wide of Jacob Pazikas’s left hand post. With the midpoint of the half approaching Adam McGowan’s cross from the left bounced awkwardly in front of Jacob Pazikas and came off his chest but the keeper reacted to block Luke Miekle’s effort from the rebound.

A poor clearance from Jacob Pazikas went straight to Adam McGowan and with the keeper out of his goal it took Greig Allen’s positional sense to get back on the goal line to clear the  ball. Rangers then took the lead with their first dangerous attack, Kyle Semple’s throw in sent Robbie Ure down the left, he turned a defender on the byline and picked out Darren McInally, Jack Main blocked his initial effort at point blank range but the midfielder knocked home the rebound.

Rangers the added a second just before the break, Robbie Ure in possession on the left found Tyler Pasnik inside the left side of the penalty area and he unselfishly rolled the ball across the box for Rory Wilson to shoot past the keeper.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 0

The start of the second half was pretty uneventful until Hamilton got a free kick just after the hour and from the twenty-five yard shot Jacob Pazikas had to get down to his left to turn the ball wide. Rangers reply saw Ryan Duncan’s reverse pass release James Graham inside the right side of the box with Jack Main coming from his line to block with his legs.

With a quarter hour remaining James Graham broke into the right side of the penalty area, cut inside a defender but was denied when Jack Main blocked his shot with an out stretched foot. A superb Jack Roberts pass from just inside his own half sent James Graham clear with two minutes remaining, he advanced into the left side of the box but shot wide of the far post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 0

Rangers:- Jacob Pazikas; Zak McKay, Greig Allen (Kelsey Ewan HT), Connor Allan, Kyle Semple (Jamie Newton 74 mins); Leyton Dunlop; Darren McInally (Ryan Duncan HT), Mackenzie Strachan; Rory Wilson, Robbie Ure (Jack Roberts 65), Tyler Pasnik (James Graham 57 mins).

Not Used:- Jack McConnell (Gk), Harley Ewan.

Hamilton Accies:- Jack Main; Brady Craig, Arron Preston, Ben Ferguson (Chris Neeson 73mins), Chris McGinn; Reece Murray, Gabriel Forsyth (Lewis Latona 64mins); Luke Meikle (Sam Nicholson 64 mins), Paddy Meechan, Adam McGowan; Myles Gaffney.