Under 18’s Edge Out Hearts

Rangers 3 Hearts 1

Rangers Under 18’s welcomed a young Hearts squad to The Rangers Training Centre on Friday night, it was ultimately a win for the young ‘Gers although it took a late penalty to secure the points.

Rangers created the first chance on five minutes from Mackenzie Strachan’s low corner from the right, Robbie Ure flicked on at the near post, Leyton Dunlop had a swing and missed and the ball landed at Charlie Lindsay who fired just over. Hearts response was to take the lead a minute later, the ball was played from the right to Bobby McCluckie inside the left side of penalty area and he shot across Jack McConnell into the top corner.

Rangers were back on level terms on thirteen minutes, Robbie Ure was through on goal with Zack Paris coming from his line to save bravely at the striker’s feet but the ball broke to Charlie Lindsay who had a simple task of knocking the ball into the net. The next chance came at the other end when Rocco Friel broke into the right side of the box and his shot was deflected onto the crossbar.

Rangers took the lead just beyond the half hour mark when Robbie Ure was fouled on the right hand byline inside the box, Darren McInally squeezed the penalty past Zach Paris low to his left despite a valiant effort from the keeper. The Hearts keeper then had a busy spell in the lead up to the half-time break, on the first occasion Darren McInally cutting in from the right past two defenders and forcing a save.

Within seconds there was a mirror image of a chance, Charlie Lindsay coming in from the left and Zack Paris saving low to his right. The final action of the half came when James Graham cut in from the left and forcing Zach Paris to touch the ball wide of his left hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 2 Hearts 1

The early part of the second half was mainly noted for a series of substitutions, but with twenty minutes remaining Rocco Friel broke into the right side of Rangers penalty area and forced a save from Jack McConnell. Within a minute Hearts threatened again, Mackenzie Ross broke into the left side of the penalty area but was denied by a fine Kristian Webster challenge.

Hearts continued to look most likely to be the next goal scorers and with Rangers struggling to clear the ball broke to Luke Rathie inside the penalty area with Jack McConnell producing a great save at close range. With eight minutes remaining Szymon Plesiewicz picked out Rocco Friel breaking into the right side of the penalty area, he was under pressure from a Rangers defender and didn’t get a great connection on his shot which allowed Jack McConnell to make the save.

Barely a minute later Robbie Ure was brought down on the left hand byline and inside the box for a clear penalty, on this occasion Darren McInally gave Zach Paris no chance from the spot. The final chance came when a cross from the left picked out Rocco Friel inside the right side of the penalty area and he volleyed straight at Jack McConnell.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Hearts 1

Rangers:- Jack McConnell; Jack Harkness, Kristian Webster, Connor Allan (Kelsey Ewan 57mins) Jamie Newton (Zander Hutton 57 mins); Mackenzie Strachan (Jack Roberts 26 mins); Darren McInally, Charlie Lindsay; Leyton Dunlop (Harley Ewan 76 mins), Robbie Ure, James Graham (Ryan Duncan 76 mins).

Not Used:- Sam Kane (Gk), Zak McKay

Hearts:- Zach Paris; Luke Rathie, Michael Aitken, Adam Forrester; Rocco Friel, Harry Gordon ( Number 3 60 mins), Ewan Simpson, McAuley Tait (Harvey Chisholm HT), Bobby McCluckie; McKenzie Ross (Szymon Plesiewicz 75 mins); Murray Thomas (James Wilson HT).