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For the first time in a few weeks today presented a chance to take in a couple of younger age group games. The U14’s (2009’s) and U16’s (2007’s) took on Hamilton Accies at The Rangers Training Centre with kick-offs being 10am and 1.30pm respectively.

Rangers 6 Hamilton Accies 1

A comfortable win for the U14’s with Josh Carson grabbing a hat-trick and it should also be mentioned that Rangers keepers Sam Reid and Jayden Millarvie both saved penalties.

The first chance came on nine minutes, Oliver Goodbrand crossed from the left the ball was headed clear but only as far as Ben Hutton and his shot from just outside the box forced a fine save from the keeper diving to his right. Five minutes later a clearance from the Accies keeper went over the Rangers defence allowing the striker to race clear, he continued into the penalty area but Aaron McAloanan advanced from goal to make the save.

Just beyond the twenty minute mark Callum Young on the edge of the box laid the ball back to Ben Hutton who’s shot was only just wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Rangers took the lead at the half’s midpoint, a slack pass across their own penalty area by an Accies defender presented Ally Shaw with a simple task of knocking the ball into the net.

The last action of the first period saw Ally Shaw play the ball forward to Ben Hutton and his shot had the keeper stretching to hold under the crossbar.

Three minutes into the second period Rangers had keeper Sam Reid to thank for keeping their lead intact. He initially made a save when the visitor’s broke into the Rangers box, with the ball loose the referee adjudged there was a foul and pointed to the spot. Sam Reid dived to his right to turn the powerfully struck shot on to the post and showed great reactions to make a second save from the rebound. A Max Cameron pass then sent Ally Shaw through but on this occasion the keeper blocked with his legs.

A short pass back then allowed Hamilton to draw level, the striker winning the race with the Rangers keeper and walking the ball into the net. The sides were level for just over five minutes before Rangers regained their lead. Josh Carson’s pass released Ally Shaw breaking through the inside right channel before passing inside for Max Cameron to shoot past the keeper.

The next chance came when Josh Carson broke into the right side of the box, the keeper parried the shot as far as Max Cameron who played the ball across the box for Ewan Gray to fire against the far post. Josh Carson then came close in a couple of occasions before the period end. From a twenty-five yard free kick and just left of centre he fired just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. A quick Max Cameron throw in then sent Josh Carson breaking into the right side of the box but he shot wide of the far post.

Accies had the first chance of the third period with a well struck twenty-five yard free kick that was held by Jayden Millarvie. A few minutes later Jayden Millarvie challenged a Hamilton attacker to a right wing cross with the referee rather harshly pointing to the spot. Jayden Millarvie produced the second fine penalty save by a Rangers keeper saving low to his left.

With fifteen minutes remaining Oliver Goodbrand advanced on the left and passed inside to Ewan Gray who stepped inside a defender before shooting just wide of the far post. Rangers soon scored a third, Oliver Goodbrand providing the pass to send Josh Carson through and he cut inside a defender before shooting past the keeper.

Rangers were now creating chances at will and a neat Josh Carson back heel released Olly Preston inside the left side of the penalty area and forced a save from the keeper at the near post. With eight minutes remaining Josh Carson chased a Jayden Millarvie clearance and cut into the left side of the box before shooting across the keeper and into the net.

The Hamilton keeper was then called into action with five minutes remaining diving to his right to turn Josh Carson’s free-kick from distance wide. Rangers then added a fifth from a Rory McKay solo effort, going past three defenders as he slalomed into the box and shooting past the keeper.

Accies then had a chance to score a second with the striker through one on one with Jayden Millarvie with the Rangers keeper producing another fine save. The scoring was completed in the final seconds a shot corner on the right was passed to Callum Young who passed inside to Josh Carson and his shot was deflected past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Rangers 6 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers Squad:- Aaron McAloanan (Gk), Sam Reid (Gk), Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Josh Carson, Connor Owen, Stevie Nixon, Oliver Goodbrand, Ben Hutton, Max Cameron, Luke Moore, Ewan Gray, Callum Young, Ally Shaw, Pedro Chico, Olly Preston, Rory McKay.

Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 2

The later game also saw a comfortable win for Rangers with Chris Eadie grabbing the spotlight with four superb goals.

Rangers had an early shout for a penalty when Josh Gentles was sent crashing when he cut into the penalty area from the left but the referee waved play on. Just before the quarter  hour mark a great Chris Eadie turn took him clear into the box but the keeper blocked the shot with his foot.

Accies first chance came with an attack on the right and a pass inside the shot was straight at Alfie Halliwell and didn’t trouble the Rangers keeper. Rangers took the lead on twenty five minutes from the penalty spot. Connor Campbell played the ball forward to Josh Gentles on the left and when he cut into the box he was brought down and he stepped up to convert the spotkick.

Accies came close when a corner from the right was headed goalwards but Arran Kerr was well placed to clear in front of the far post. Rangers doubled their lead a couple of minutes before the break, Harry Weir providing the pass to Chris Eadie inside the left side of the box who went past a defender before shooting past the keeper.

There was still time for the visitors to pull a goal back from another right hand corner the initial header was blocked but the rebound was fired into the net.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers had an early chance after the break with Jack Wylie bursting down the right and into the box with the keeper standing up to parry the shot. The game hadn’t quite reached the fifty minute mark when Chris Eadie left two defenders on the edge of the box as he burst through to shoot past the keeper.

Just beyond the hour mark Chris Eadie completed his hat trick, Josh Gentles broke on the left before passing to Chris who entered the left side of the box and shot past the keeper. Rangers next chance came when Jack Wylie broke forward from defence and passed to Josh Gentles on the left side of the box but he shot wide of the far post.

With seven minutes remaining Chris Eadie battled for possession on the edge of the box before finding the net with a shot that the keeper got a hand to but was beaten by the power. Accies grabbed a second goal with a couple of minutes remaining, it was harsh on Colbi McQuarrie who produced a stunning point blank save but was helpless as the loose ball was knocked into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 5 Hamilton Accies 2

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell (Colbi McQuarrie 83mins); Arran Kerr (Kenzie McLelland HT), Jack Wylie, Leo Fisher (Cameron Scott 60 mins), Connor Campbell; Grant Marchant, Callum Adamson, Grant Leitch; Harry Weir, Chris Eadie, Josh Gentles.