Comfortable Win For 18’s

Dundee United 1 Rangers 4

Rangers had a chance in the opening minute from a Tyler Pasnik shot from the right hand angle of the box that was saved by Lewis Haldane low to his left. On six minutes Kerr Robertson picked out Tyler Pasnik who moved into the right side of the box but was denied by Lewis Haldane who came from his line to block.

The home side’s first chance came a minute later when Alan Domeracki on the left picked out Connor May but his shot from the edge of the box was weak and Sam Kane saved comfortably. On the quarter hour mark Jack Roberts won a free kick but was injured in the process and was replaced by Finlay Curtis. The free- kick was on the edge of the box and right of centre, Tyler Pasnik stepped up to fire a shot into Lewis Haldane’s bottom left hand corner.

Within a minute, Zak McKay miscued a pass back under pressure and the ball struck Sam Kane’s left hand post before going wide. Two minutes later Finlay Curtis played the ball forward to Tyler Pasnik who tried his luck from distance but on this occasion the shot was too high. With the half hour approaching Tyler Pasnik crossed from the left but Connor Cooper miscued his header and Lewis Haldane gathered,

Rangers had another free-kick on the left side of the box and Tyler Pasnik’s cross come shot was heading to the back post when Lewis Haldane punched clear. At the other end Craig Moore played a free-kick into the Rangers box where it broke for Bryan Mwangi who shot wide of Sam Kane’s right hand post..

Nine minutes before the break Rangers doubled their lead from another Tyler Pasnik free-kick, on this occasion it was on the left hand angle of the box and his shot found the top left hand corner of Lewis Haldane’s net. Five minutes later the home side missed their best chance of the half, Alan Domeracki in possession inside the right side of the box he passed inside to Stuart Heenan who shot narrowly over.

Half-Time:- Dundee United 0 Rangers 2

The game was a couple of minutes shy of the hour when Zander Hutton broke down the right and his cross just evaded Paul Nsio and Cameron Cooper as the ball flashed across goal. Zander Hutton then laid the ball back to Tyler Pasnik who’s cross from the right hand angle appeared to be dropping in at the far post until Lewis Haldane clawed the ball away.

With twenty-five minutes remaining the home side had a chance when Rangers lost possession on the edge of their own penalty area but Sam Kane blocked Stuart Heenan’s shot with his legs. Rangers were soon back on the attack and when Paul Nsio played the ball forward to Finlay Curtis who shot just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

There was twenty minutes left when Zander Hutton crossed from the right and a defensive header fell to Finlay Curtis who shot narrowly over. Five minutes later Cameron Cooper broke into the penalty area when he went down under a challenge from Kier Bertie and the referee pointed to the spot and up stepped Tyler Pasnik to complete his hat trick from twelve yards.

Rangers scored a fourth with nine minutes remaining, when the ball was played forward from defence a clever Finlay Curtis dummy wrong footed the United defence allowing Cameron Cooper to race clear and shoot high past Lewis Haldane. The home side grabbed a consolation with two minutes remaining and it was another superb free-kick, on the edge of the box and left of centre Stuart Heenan found Sam Kane’s bottom left hand corner.

Full-Time:- Dundee United 1 Rangers 4

Dundee United:- Lewis Haldane; Sean Borland, Craig Moore, Keir Bertie, Nairn Lowe; Scott Constable, Bryan Mwangi; Connor May, Adam Carnwath, Alan Domeracki.

Subs:- Ryan McGuire (Gk), Josh Holt, Zeke Cameron, Owen Stirton, Owen Emslie.

Rangers:- Sam Kane; Zander Hutton (Connor Campbell 82 Mins), Kristian Webster, Leyton Grant (Niall Rogerson 82 Mins), Zak McKay; Kerr Robertson, Cammy Bell (Christian Mulindwa HT); Paul Nsio; Tyler Pasnik (Kieron Willox 76 Mins), Jack Roberts (Finlay Curtis 15 Mins), Cameron Cooper,

Not Used:- Colbi McQuarrie (Gk), Lancelot Pollard.

Uefa Youth League Win For Colts

Napoli 2 Rangers 2

Rangers had the first chance of the game in the third minute when a ball over the Napoli defence sent Robbie Ure clear but a brilliant challenge from Daniels Nosegebe-Susko denied the Rangers striker. A couple of minutes later the home side attacked, Lorenzo Russo passed to Dylan de Pasquale on the left and from his cross Antonio Pesce shot wide of the far post.

On eight minutes Jacob Pazikas was forced to tip over Lorenzo Russo’s free-kick from the right side of the penalty area. The end to end start to the game continued, Arron Lyall cutting in from the right past two defenders before shooting wide of the far post.

Rangers were forced into a change on thirteen minutes when Greig Allen picked up a knock and was replaced by Kelsey Ewan. The home side had a chance a couple of minutes later when the ball broke for Antonio Pesce but he shot straight at Jacob Pazikas. Rangers took the lead on twenty minutes, following a corner from the right Bailey Rice headed the ball back into the box and it fell for Robbie Ure his initial touch bounced back to him off a defender and he shot past Claudio Turi.

Rangers doubled their lead two minutes later, Zak Lovelace cutting in from the left past two defenders before firing past Claudio Turi and into the keeper’s bottom right hand corner. Just before the the half hour mark Zak Lovelace threatened again, a step over took him past Benedetto Barba into the left side of the penalty area before shooting narrowly over.

A couple of minutes later Lorenzo Russo swung in a free-kick from the left which found the head of Francesco Giolelli and his glancing header came back off the crossbar. Two minutes into first half injury time, from a corner on the right Lorenzo Russo picked out Allesandro Spavone on the edge of the box and his shot beat Jacob Pazikas with the aid of a deflection. With first half injury time heading for a sixth minute Napoli equalised from the penalty spot. The attacker went down under a challenge when he broke into the right side of the box and the referee pointed to the spot with Allesandro Spavone converting the penalty.

Half-Time:- Napoli 2 Rangers 2

Rangers started the second half with James Graham replacing Paul Nsio and the half was five minutes old when Rangers regained the lead with a penalty of their own. The referee adjudged Arron Lyall’s strike from the edge of the box was handled by a defender, Zak Lovelace beat Claudio Turi low to his right despite a valiant attempt from the keeper. Rangers broke six minutes later through Zak Lovelace on the left, he passed inside to Robbie Ure who moved the ball onto James Graham inside the right side of the penalty area with his shot deflecting narrowly wide for a corner.

A minute later Zak Lovelace’s ball over the defence saw James Graham lob the advancing Claudio Turi but Daniels Nosegbe-Susko got back to clear from in front of goal. Just before the hour mark some good play from Antonio Pesce on the right saw him send Lorenzo Russo into the right side of the box with Jacob Pazikas saving at the near post.

Rangers had the next chance from a good passing move which ended with James Graham inside the right side of the box but he screwed his shot wide of the near post. Robbie Ure was then sent clear on the midpoint of the half and he lobbed Claudio Turi but the ball went just over.

With just over fifteen minutes remaining Zak Lovelace and James Graham combined to find Robbie Ure inside the box and close to the right hand byline, his cross come shot was deflected upwards and knocked towards the net by a Napoli defender but Lorenzo Russo was on hand to head from the line. With ten minutes remaining Napoli got the the left hand byline where the cutback found Leonardo Rossi who was denied by a fine Jacob Pazikas save.

The final clear cut chance came with five minutes remaining, Robbie Fraser played the ball forward to Robbie Ure  on the left side of the penalty area, he went past a defender and rounded the keeper but was forced a bit wide and could only find the side netting with his shot.

The disappointing news that Ajax had beaten Liverpool came later, which means that even an win in next week’s game at Firhill will not be enough to make the knockout stages.

Full-Time:- Napoli 2 Rangers 3

Napoli:- Claudio Turi; Landry Boni, Benedetto Barba, Daniels Nosegbe-Susko, Luigi D’Avino (Davide Acampa 77 Mins), Enrico Giannini; Lorenzo Russo (Lamine Gningue 71 Mins), Francesco Giolelli (Alessio Lettera 77 Mins), Allesandro Spavone (Gennaro Iaccarino 63 Mins); Antonio Pesce, Dylan de Pasquale (Leaonardo Ross 63 Mins).

Not Used:- Nicola Pellino (Gk), Pasquale Pontillo.

Rangers:- Jacob Pazikas; Jack Harkness, Lewis MacKinnon, Greig Allen (Kelsey Ewan 13 Mins), Robbie Fraser; Mackenzie Strachan; Paul Nsio (James Graham HT), Bailey Rice Kevin Ciubotaru 82 Mins); Arron Lyall, Robbie Ure, Zak Lovelace (Kristian Webster 82 Mins).

Not Used:- Sam Kane (Gk), Tyler Pasnik, Connor Young.

Academy Teams Take On Hamilton

Over the weekend Rangers Academy teams took on Hamilton Accies over four age groups, I attended three of the games and reports from today’s eleven-a-side games are below.

Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 2

Rangers U14’s took on a physically bigger and stronger Hamilton side, the margin of defeat didn’t quite reflect the overall game.

There was little goalmouth action in the opening stages and there was seventeen minutes on the clock when Josh Carson struck a free-kick from the left hand angle of the box just wide of the far post. Four minutes later Accies worked the ball across the edge of the box from left to right and the shot from the angle of the box was straight at Jayden Millarvie.

In their next attack Hamilton progressed to the edge of the box, Jayden Millarvie parried the shot and showed great reactions to dive to his left to save the shot from the rebound. A good Rangers passing move ended with a Callum Stewart’s through ball that had Ewan Gray chasing with the Accies keeper coming right to the edge of his box to make the block.

Rangers took the lead a couple of minutes before the end of the first period with a well worked goal, Ashton Patton passed to Aiden Crilly and his pass picked out Ally Shaw inside the box to shoot past the keeper. Before the period ended Accies fired in a free-kick from wide left and Jayden Millarvie dived to his left to touch the ball on to an attacker and wide for a goal kick.

Rangers had an early chance in the second period, Ollie Preston played the ball forward and Ewan Gray’s dummy sold the defender but his shot from the right side of the penalty area was saved by the keeper. The second period was eight minutes old when Hamilton equalised,  a free kick from the left hand angle was fired into the near top corner past Sam Reid.

They that had another chance almost straight from the kick off when they advanced into the right side of the box with Sam Reid saving to his left. Rangers reply saw Josh Carson’s free-kick from fully thirty yards tipped past his left hand post by the keeper.

When Rangers lost the ball inside the right side of their penalty area Sam Reid produced a fine point blank save. From the corner from the left the header was just wide of the far post. Five minutes before the end of the period Pedro Chico won the ball and passed to Ashton Patton he picked out Callum Young who forced the keeper to dive to his right to save.

Olllie Preston they played the ball forward to Ewan Gray on the right and from his cross Rory McKay volleyed wide of the near post. Just as the end of the second period approached Accies took the lead, a through ball allowing the attacker to race clear to shoot past Sam Reid.

In the opening minute of the final period Pedro Chico was bundled over has he broke into the right side of the penalty area and Josh Carson converted the penalty. Five minutes later Rangers were caught out expecting a throw in, Accies took the throw in and a good turn inside the box made the space for the shot that restored their lead.

Rangers replied when Ashton Patton passed to Ewan Gray inside the right side of the box but he shot over. Josh Carson then played a ball over the Hamilton defence for Ewan Gray to chase, he lobbed the advancing keeper but a defender got back to clear. 

Deep into injury time before the final period turn round the visitors attacked on the left and when the ball was passed inside it was fired into the net. With Rangers pushing for a leveller they lost the ball on the halfway line allowing the attacker to race clear and score Accies fifth.

The final effort on goal came when Ashton Patton passed to Luca Rankin on the right, a neat step over took him into the box but he shot over.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 5

Two Under 13’s were included in Rangers squad today.

Rangers Squad:- Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Sam Reid (Gk), Aston Patton, Josh Carson, Lewis Smith, Charlie Greenlaw, Pedro Chico Aiden Crilly, Callum Stewart, Ewan Gray, Callum Young, Ally Shaw, Rory McKay, Luca Rankin, Ollie Preston.

 

Rangers 3 Hamilton Accies 1

The afternoon saw the U16’s clash.

Rangers took the lead on nine minutes with a bizarre Own Goal with Chris Eadie applying pressure inside the box an attempted clearance from a defender cannoned off a colleague and into the net. Rangers doubled their lead within two minutes, Lyle Wark’s low corner to the near post broke to Chris Eadie who scored from close range.

Just before the quarter hour mark Duncan Barlow crossed from the right and Lewis Stewart’s header forced a save from the keeper. The visitors first chance came a minute later with an attack into the right side of the box and the low cross come shot saw Alfie Halliwell get down and get a good hand on the ball to divert it over.

Accies created another chance ten minutes later, the ball was passed in from the left and the shot from the edge of the box was just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Two minutes before the break Lyle Wark’s cross from the right found its way to Grant Marchant beyond the back post but he shot across the face of goal and wide.

Hamilton capitalised on that by breaking through into the centre of the box for a clear penalty that was duly converted. Rangers still had time for Jack Wylie to rise and head Lyle Wark’s corner from the right goalwards which the keeper saved comfortably.

Half- Time:- Rangers 2 Hamilton Accies 1

Hamilton were applying a bit of pressure seven minutes into the second half, with Rangers struggling to clear the all was knocked goalwards and Alfie Halliwell touched it on to his left hand post. Three minutes later the Rangers keeper dived to his right to save a shot from the left hand angle of the box.

The visitors were having a good spell and Aflie Halliwell was called into action again, saving a shot from inside the right side of the box. Rangers then broke through Lewis Stewart and he picked out Josh Gentles inside the right side of the box who forced a save from the Accies keeper at the near post.

Midway through the half Rangers came close to extending their lead, Josh Gentles passed to Arran Kerr on the right and from his low cross Jose Calela was at full stretch but could only knocked it wide of the far post. With twelve minutes remaining the ball was cleared from Accies box but only as far as Duncan Barlow who’s shot was saved low to the keeper’s left.

With five minutes remaining Hamilton attacked on the left  and when the low cross came in Alfie Halliwell dived out to gather. Rangers then made the game safe in the final minute, Lewis Stewart sent Connor Campbell down the left and from his low cross Jose Calela slid in to knock the ball past the keeper.

Full- Time:- Rangers 3 Hamilton Accies 1

Rangers included one U15 playing up and two U17’s playing down today.

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell; Duncan Barlow, Jack Wylie (Arran Kerr HT), Niall Rogerson, Connor Campbell; Leo Fisher; Finlay Curtis (Grant Leitch HT), Lyle Wark; Josh Gentles, Chris Eadie (Grant Marchant 23 Mins), Lewis Stewart.

 

Footnote:- Rangers Under 13’s drew 4-4 with Hamilton Accies in a nine-a-side game at New Douglas Park on Saturday morning. Rangers goals coming from Kyle Glasgow, Riley Bryson & Daniel Owonyomi (2).

All the squad were Under 13’s.

Rangers Under 15’s lost 2-1 to Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park on Friday Night, I don’t have any other details of the game.

Youth Cup Win For 18’s

Stirling Albion 0 Rangers 3

Rangers took the lead on six minutes, Greig Allen headed a corner from the right back across goal and Paul Nsio flicked a header past Aaron Wilson from close range. A few minutes later the ball landed at the feet of Lewis Gray inside the left side of Rangers box and he lobbed the ball towards the back post that had Sam Kane stretching to palm clear.

Rangers broke on twelve minutes when Tyler Pasnik attacked the penalty area, he played in Cameron Cooper on the right side of the box but he shot wide of the far post. Back to the other end and when Kerr Robertson headed a cross from the left clear it landed at the feet of Jacob Moynes who shot over from the edge of the box.

On seventeen minutes Tyler Pasnik was again the creator with his pass sending Paul Nsio clear, he poked the ball past the keeper but Recce Harkness got back to clear. Midway through the half Jacob Moynes in possession on the left passed to Lewis Gray on the angle of the box and he curled a shot just wide of the far post.

Stirling really should have equalised just beyond the half hour, from Lewis Gray’s low cross from the right Lachie Hunter challenged Sam Kane and the ball broke to the striker inside the six yard box but his connection was poor and Kristian Webster cleared from the line. Seven minutes before the break Tyler Pasnik sent Cameron Copper through, Aaron Wilson forced him wide and his shot from close to the right hand byline was blocked at the near post by Harvey Petrie.

The final effort of the half came for Stirling, Lewis Gray twisted and turned away from Greig Allan on the right hand angle of the box before firing a shot off Sam Kane’s left hand post.

Half-Time:- Stirling Albion 0 Rangers 1

The home side created the first chance after the break, Jacob Moynes passed to Lewis Gray wide on the left and he cut inside before forcing a save from Sam Kane at the near post. On fifty four minutes Rangers doubled their lead from the penalty spot, Lancelot Pollard passed to Cameron Cooper inside the box who went down under a challenge and the referee pointed to the spot with Tyler Pasnik converting the penalty.

The home side tried an immediate reply with Lachie Hunter shooting straight at Sam Kane from the edge of the box. With a quarter hour remaining Kerr Robertson tried to pick out Jack Roberts inside the box with Aaron Wilson saving bravely at the striker’s feet. Five minutes later Tyler Pasnik passed to Kieron Willox on the left and from his cross Jack Roberts’s header saw Aaron Wilson dive to his right to make the save.

A minute later Tyler Pasnik’s low cross broke for Finlay Curtis just inside the box but he was denied when Aaron Wilson made the save. With six minutes remaining Rangers scored a third, Kieron Willox in possession on the left passed to Paul Nsio on the angle of the box, his shot took a significant deflection off Reece Harkness completely wrong footing Aaron Wilson in the Stirling goal.

Rangers finished the game with a couple of efforts on goal, Finlay Curtis shot from around twenty-five yards from a Tyler Pasnik pass that Aaron Wilson saved low to hos left. That was followed by a Tyler Pasnik shot from the right hand angle of the box that Aaron Wilson tipped wide.

Full-Time:- Stirling Albion 0 Rangers 3 

Stirling Albion:- Aaron Wilson; Luke Watkins, Ross McGhee, Harvey Petrie, Reece Harkness, Sam Murray (Stefan Jesionek 74 Mins); Frazer Glen, Jacob Moynes (Stevie Graham 74 Mins), Luca Scacchil (Callum Gemmell HT); Lachie Hunter (Mark Stewart 61 Mins), Lewis Gray.

Not Used:- Kieran Northfield (Gk), Finlay Mason

Rangers:- Sam Kane; Zak McKay (Jack Wylie HT), Kristian Webster, Greig Allen, Cammy Scott; Kerry Robertson, Christian Mulindwa (Finlay Curtis HT); Paul Nsio; Tyler Pasnik, Cameron Cooper (Kieron Willox 69 Mins), Lancelot Pollard (Jack Roberts 61 Mins).

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Niall Rogerson, Leyton Grant.

Comfortable Win For Colts

Rangers 4 East Stirling 1

No comment, just a match report on tonight’s Lowland League game against East Stirling.

Rangers fell behind on the second minute, Jacob Pazikas came right to the limit of his penalty area to block the initial effort following a through ball, but it broke to Kenny Barr who knocked the ball into the unguarded net. Five minutes later a corner for the visitors presented another chance when it landed at an unmarked player beyond the back post but he shot into the side netting.

On eleven minutes Kelsey Ewan combined with Mackenzie Strachan on the right and from his cross Robbie Ure’s header forced the first of many saves from former Rangers Academy goalkeeper Ross Connelly. Around the quarter hour mark Ross McCausland attacked on the right and passed to Robbie Ure inside the box, Ross Connelly saved low to his right and when the Rangers striker followed up a defender got a block on the shot.

Within a couple of minutes Arron Lyall skipped past a defender into the right side of the box but again Ross Connelly produced a fine save. Within a minute the ball was passed inside to Alex Lowry from the left and his effort from around twenty-five yards was just too high. At the midpoint of the half Ross McCausland on the left cut the ball back to Arron Lyall who shot just over.

The visitors threatened with a through ball that Jacob Pazikas got to first and just managed to remain within his penalty area. Soon after Alex Lowry sent a free-kick just wide of Ross Connelly’s right hand post with the keeper rooted to the spot.

Ross Connelly excelled again just after the half hour, Robbie Ure passed to Charlie Lindsay and the keeper parried the shot and when the loose ball was crossed in from the left he was there again to save Robbie Fraser’s header. Alex Lowry then turned one way and back again before sending a twenty-five yarder straight at Ross Connelly.

Following a corner from the left the East Stirling defence struggled to clear, Connor Allan stretched to get a header on the loose bouncing ball which was cleared from the line. East Stirling then broke on the right and from the cross Jacob Pazikas stretched to paw away from an unmarked attacker at the back post.

Five minutes before the break Rangers eventually drew level, from Harley Ewan’s right wing cross Ross Connelly denied Robbie Ure at point blank range, there was another block in the ensuing scramble before Robbie Ure forced the ball over the line with the East Stirling defenders claiming otherwise.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 East Stirling 1

Rangers took the lead five minutes after the break, Charlie Lindsay broke forward and exchanged passes with Ross McCausland to break into the right side of the box and shoot under the keeper’s dive. Ross Connelly did better a couple of minutes later saving from Zak Lovelace after he cut in from the left past two defenders and shot from the edge of the box.

The half was ten minutes old when Rangers a scored a third, Ross McCausland went past two defenders as he attacked the centre of the defence, when challenged inside the penalty area the ball broke to Robbie Ure who shot past the keeper. Just beyond the hour Ross McCausland cut in from the right, his shot beat the keeper but bounced off the crossbar. It landed at the feet of Charlie Lindsay inside the left side of the penalty area and Ross Connelly was forced to tip his shot over.

On sixty-four minutes Zak Lovelace broke on the right and from his cross Ross Connelly saved bravely at the feet of Arron Lyall. A minute later Rangers extended their lead, the ball was switched to Zak Lovelace on the right and his superb run and low cross setup Robbie Ure for a simple finish to complete his hat trick.

East Stirling came close to scoring with a superb curling effort from the left hand angle of the box that beat Jacob Pazikas but bounced off the far post. Play was soon back at the other end and when Kevin Ciubotaru hit the left hand byline he looked up to pick out Connor Young who shot just wide of the near post.

Connor Young’s through ball then sent James Graham racing clear, he dinked the ball past Ross Connelly but the ball came back off the keeper’s right hand post. The final chance was created from the right by James Graham and when his low cross found Connor Young he was denied by Ross Connelly diving to his right.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 East Stirling 1

Rangers:- Jacob Pazikas; Kelsey Ewan, Lewis MacKinnon, Connor Allan, Robbie Fraser (Kevin Ciubotaru 72 Mins); Mackenzie Strachan; Charlie Lindsay (Greig Allen 72 Mins), Alex Lowry (Zak Lovelace HT); Arron Lyall, Robbie Ure (Connor Young 68 Mins), Ross McCausland (James Graham 68 mins)

Not Used:- Lewis Budinauckas (Gk), Johnly Yfeko.

East Stirling:- Ross Connelly, Kyle Ewing, Shaun Brown (Josh Winton 66 Mins), Tony Coutts (Andy Shirra 79 Mins), Connor Greene, Harvey Moyes (Scott Honeyman 62 Mins), Kenny Barr, Andy Kay, Jamie Kirkpatrick (Kai Wilson 66 Mins), Jack Hodge, Kyle Connelly (Aarron McAlpine 62 Min).

Not Used:- Iain Ure (Gk), Ben Brady.

Six Second Half Goals For 18’s

Rangers 7 Cre8tive Academy 2

No comment just a match report on today’s Under 18 friendly against Cre8tive Academy

Cre8tive Academy took the lead in the fourth minute, their winger cut in from the left and Sam Kane produced a fine save to touch the powerful shot onto the bar but the ball fell for an attacker to net the rebound. Rangers first effort came on seventeen minutes from a Tyler Pasnik free-kick on the edge of the box that the keeper saved low to his left.

Another chance soon followed when Kieron Willox picked out Tyler Pasnik inside the right side of the penalty area but he shot wide of the far post. With the midpoint of the half approaching Tyler Pasnik exchanged passes with Finlay Curtis on the right hand angle of the box before shooting wide of the far post.

The visitors then threatened when they cut in from the left and shot narrowly wide of the far post. Back to the other end and Kristian Webster rose to head an Kieron Willox corner from the right just over. The London academy doubled their lead just before the the half hour, the attack initiated on the right and when the ball was passed inside it was fired past the keeper.

Rangers reduced the deficit five minutes before the break, Finlay Curtis picked out Kieron Willox inside the box and he slipped the ball past the keeper.

Half Time:-Rangers 1 Cre8tive Academy 2

In the opening minute of the second half Lancelot Pollard chased a ball to the left hand byline and passed inside to Paul Nsio who was denied by the keeper at the near post. Rangers equalised on fifty-two minutes, Tyler Pasnik played the ball to Cameron Cooper inside the box where he held it up before laying it back to Finlay Curtis to score from just inside the box.

Four minutes later Rangers were in front, Lancelot Pollard cutting the ball back from the left hand byline for Finlay Curtis to net his second. Barely a minute later Lancelot Pollard provided the pass for Cameron Cooper to break into the box, cut inside a defender and finish with his left foot.

With twenty-five minutes remaining Rangers scored a fifth from the penalty spot, Paul Nsio passed to Lancelot Pollard inside the box, he passed to Cameron Cooper who was brought down and Tyler Pasnik did the needful from the spot. 

A few minutes later Finlay Curtis came close to completing his hat-trick breaking into the left side of the box but shooting into the side netting. On seventy minutes Paul Nsio flicked the ball over the defence to Zak McKay inside the box and he found the net with a powerful shot off the underside of the bar.

The visitors hadn’t threatened in the second half but had a couple of chances as the game entered the final ten minutes. From a free-kick on the left hand angle of the box Alfie Halliwell dived to his right to push the shot away. A minute later a shot from the edge of the box was only just wide of Alfie Halliwell’s right hand post.

Rangers finished the game on the front foot, Lancelot Pollard cutting the ball back from the right hand byline for Cameron Cooper to shoot wide of the near post. The Rangers striker the had a similar effort, this time of the left side of the box when setup by Finlay Curtis. The scoring was complete when Rangers worked a short corner on the right and Lancelot Pollard broke into the box, the keeper parried his shot but Cameron Cooper was left with a tap in.

Full-Time:- Rangers 7 Cre8tive Academy 2

Rangers Squad:- Sam Kane (Gk), Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Kristian Webster, Niall Rogerson, Leyton Grant, Zak McKay, Kerr Robertson, Finlay Curtis, Christian Mulindwa, Tyler Pasnik, Cameron Cooper, Kieron Willox, Jack Wylie, Connor Campbell, Paul Nsio, Lancelot Pollard

15’s Lose To Hibs

Rangers 2 Hibernian 5

Rangers Under 15’s lost to Hibs at The Training Centre this afternoon, that means we have lost the last EIGHT academy games I have attended, so maybe it’s me. Have to say in all the years I have attended academy games  I doubt that has happened before. If there was a positive today it was as the game went on they got better and from 1-5 down could have narrowed the gap further than a three goal margin.

Hibs took the lead on ten minutes, the initial attack came on the right and when the cross was cleared it went straight to an attacker who shot past Ben Coutts. Rangers first chance came just after the quarter hour mark when Aiden McCallion exchanged passes with Alex Smith on the right hand angle on the box before shooting just wide of the far post.

The next chance came at the other end with an attack on right and a pass inside, Ben Coutts diving to his right to make the save. He bettered that a minute later coming from his line to block the shot as Hibs broke into the right side of the box. On twenty five minutes Thomas Falconer broke forward and passed to Sam McLachlan who tried his luck from around twenty-five yards that had the keeper diving to his right to make the save.

Hibs doubled their lead three minutes later, attacking the right side of the box and going past a defender and beating Ben Coutts from a tight angle. Ten minutes before the break Hibs attacked on the left and from the cutback the initial shot was blocked and the rebound fired just wide of the near post.

Hibs continued to create chances and when the ball was moved along the eighteen yard line from left to right Ben Coutts was forced to make the save when the shot came in. A shot from fully thirty-five yards and wide left had Ben Coutts stretching to tip over. They should have scored from the corner when the ball broke to an attacker inside the six yard box but he shot wide.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 2

A poor clearance presented Hibs with an open goal two minutes into the second half but the shot went over the gaping net. The third goal came within a couple of minutes when a shot from the edge of the box beat Colbi McQuarrie.

Colbi McQuarrie was called into action in the next attack, saving low to his left from a shot from inside the left side of the box. Just before the hour mark Rangers pulled a goal back, Trialist No.9 attacked the penalty area and when he was tackled the ball broke to Zak Richford who fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.

It wasn’t long till Hibs restored their three goal lead, a cross from the left being headed into the net at the back post. Ronald Nimyel attacked on the right and passed to Alex Smith who laid it back for Thomas Falconer who shot narrowly over.

In the next attack Hibs scored a fifth, the initial ball into the box was cleared but when it came back in it was shot past Colbi McQuarrie. Rangers soon got it back to a margin of three, from Aiden McCallion’s cross from the right Jose Calela bulleted a header past the keeper.

In Rangers next attack Ronald Nimyel cut in from the right before shooting narrowly over. A great piece of skill from Lewis Marshall inside the left side of the penalty area created the space for a shot which looked destined for the bottom far corner till the keeper got a touch to divert it wide.

Rangers were creating chances and when Cammy Fernie sidestepped a defender on the edge of the box his shot beat the keeper but bounced off the crossbar. The final effort on goal saw the Hibs keeper dive to parry Ronald Numyel’s shot from the right hand angle of the box.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Hibernian 5

Rangers Squad:- Ben Coutts (Gk), Colbi McQuarrie (Gk), Trialist No. 2, Evan Molloy, Olly Hynd, Thomas Falconer, Lewis Marshall, Sam McLachlan, Aiden McCallion, Alex Smith, Trialist No, 9, Flynn O’Brien, Jack Caldwell, Matthew McIvor, Cammy Fernie, Ronald Numyel, Jose Calela, Zak Richford.

Footnote:- In the earlier game Rangers Under 13’s lost a fairly even nine-a-side game 6-4 to Hibs. Rangers goals coming from Daniel Owonyomi (2), Riley Bryson & Jedan Donaldson.

18’s Lose Again

Rangers 0 Hibernian 2

Following last week’s heavy defeat at Hamilton Rangers Under 18’s lost again, at home to a Hibernian side who in their previous league games had only won once, against bottom side St. Mirren. Trailing by two goals at the break Rangers improved after half-time and dominated possession but never really looked like scoring.

Rangers were first to threaten on nine minutes, Zak McKay on the right passed to Tyler Pasnik who cut inside before shooting just wide of the near post. Two minutes later Hibs took the lead, Rudi Molotnikov breaking down the right into the penalty area to shoot past Sam Kane although it looked like the keeper should possibly have done better.

The lead was doubled six minutes later, Ethan Laidlaw chased a through ball with Sam Kane racing from his penalty area, the Rangers keeper got there first but his clearance ricocheted to Josh Landers who knocked the ball into the unguarded net. Rangers had a great chance to reduce the deficit when Jack Roberts was brought down inside the box, but Kristian Webster’s penalty was poor and Freddie Owens dived to his left to save.

Two minutes later Rangers missed an even better chance, Hibs lost possession on the edge of their own box, Tyler Pasnik unselfishly passed the ball across the box to Jack Roberts who looked sure to score from around seven yards but Freddie Owens saved at point blank range. Five minutes before the break Ethan Laidlaw passed to Rudi Molotnikov inside the left side of the box but he shot wide pf the far post.

Rangers reply was a Tyler Pasnik free-kick on the left hand angle of the box which was just too high. Hibs ended the half on the ascendancy and Reece Holden cut in from the left and forcing Sam Kane to save low to his right. Ethan Laidlaw then turned inside Rangers penalty area, his shot took a deflection before Sam Kane pushed the ball over.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 2

Rangers improved after the break and pretty much pinned Hibs back in their own half but huffed and puffed and never threatened Freddie Owens goal. Cameron Cooper had the ball in the net a couple of minutes after the hour but was flagged offside.

With nine minutes remaining Cammy Scott passed inside from the left to Tyler Pasnik who’s shot from around twenty-five yards went just over. In the final minute Tyler Pasnik’s free-Kick from the left saw Jack Roberts get there first but he knocked the ball wide of the near post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 2

Rangers:- Sam Kane; Zak McKay (Zander Hutton 82 Mins), Kristian Webster, Leyton Grant, Cammy Scott; Kerr Robertson (Finlay Curtis 68 Mins); Paul Nsio, Cammy Bell (Lancelot Pollard 68 Mins); Tyler Pasnik, Jack Roberts, Cameron Cooper (Kieron Willox 63 Mins)

Not Used:- Jacob Pazikas (Gk), Niall Rogerson, Christian Mulindwa.

Hibernian:- Freddie Owens; Rory Whittaker, Adam Khan, Owen Hastie, Ricky Waugh; Josh Landers, Crispin McLean (Niall Geany 53 Mins), Jacob McIntyre, Reece Holden; Rudi Molotnikov, Ethan Laidlaw.

Not Used:- Smith Samuels (Gk), Alfie Smith, Jackson Innes, Bailey McKenzie, Jason Craig, Callum Gardner.

Unfortunate Defeat For Colts

Rangers 3 Liverpool 4

Any one who watched last week’s game and the first forty-five minutes today wouldn’t have predicted such a close outcome at the end of ninety minutes, but the sending off of Lee Jonas two minutes into the second half completely changed the game. When Rangers came back from 1-3 down to level at 3-3 the momentum was with them and if there was to be a winner it looked likely to be them. So they will be extremely disappointed to lose the game.

Liverpool should have taken the lead on five minutes when Dominic Corness sent Ben Doak through for a one on one with Jacob Pazikas with the Rangers keeper making the save. Barely a further sixty seconds had passed when Liverpool took the lead. A poor kick from Jacob Pazikas put the defence under pressure and when the ball landed at Ben Doak inside the right side of the box he showed great skill to lob the ball over Robbie Fraser, Greig Allen did well to block the shot but the ball ran for Oakley Cannonier who knocked the ball into the net.

Rangers were back on level terms almost immediately, a good move sent Zak Lovelace through the centre and he was brought down by keeper Harvey Davies for a clear penalty which was duly converted by Charlie Lindsay. Liverpool were back in front on seventeen minutes, Bobby Clark providing the pass to Melkamu Frauendorf inside the box to shoot past Jacob Pazikas.

Ten minutes later Luke Chambers progressed to the left hand byline and his low centre was fired past the near post by Oakley Canonnier. Rangers could and probably should have equalised just after the half hour, Zak Lovelace won the ball and sent Connor Allan through, he was denied by keeper Harvey Davies but the ball went to Robbie Ure at his right hand post but the Rangers striker’s header went across goal and wide.

Ten minutes before the break Dominic Corness sent Oakley Carnonnier through on goal, Jacob Pazikas saved the initial effort but the striker got the break of the ball and passed it into the empty net. 

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 Liverpool 3

The game changed two minutes into the second half when Lee Jonas was shown a straight red card for hauling down Robbie Ure who was through from Robbie Fraser’s pass. Just over ten minutes later Robbie Fraser advanced on the left and passed to Robbie Ure inside the box, the Rangers striker flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Just after the hour Ben Doak in possession inside the left side of the box picked out Dominic Corness on the edge at the box but he shot straight at Jacob Pazikas. A minute later Rangers were back in the game Arron Lyall exchanging passes with Zak Lovelace to break into the left side of the penalty area and slip the ball past Harvey Davies.

Rangers were level less than ten minutes later, Zak Lovelace attacked the left side of the penalty area and went past two defenders and deep into the box, his shot struck the inside the near post and rolled across goal to present Robbie Ure with a tap in. With ten minutes remaining Liverpool took the lead from a Ben Doak solo effort, there seemed little danger with the Liverpool attacker hemmed in at the right hand corner flag but he wriggled away and cut into the box leaving defenders in his wake before shooting across the keeper and into the far corner.

Rangers had one half chance deep into injury time, Robbie Fraser’s corner from the right landed at Lewis MacKinnon beyond the back post but he shot wide of the near post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 3 Liverpool 4

Rangers:- Jacob Pazikas; Jack Harkness, Lewis MacKinnon, Greig Allen (Connor Young 84 Mins), Robbie Fraser; Bailey Rice (Paul Nsio 73 Mins); Connor Allan, Charlie Lindsay; Arron Lyall, Robbie Ure, Zak Lovelace.

Not Used:- Mason Munn (Gk), Kelsey Ewan, Mackenzie Strachan, Tyler Pasnik, James Graham

Liverpool:- Harvey Davies; Terry Miles, Jarrell Quahsah, Lee Jonas, Luke Chambers; Dominic Corness; Bobby Clark, James McConnell; Ben Doak (Tommy Pilling 92 Mins), Oakley Canonnier (Lewis Koumas 38 Mins), Melkamu Frauendorf.

Not Used:- Luke Hewitson (Gk), Charlie Hates-Green, Ranel Young, Trent Kone-Doherty, Francis Gymiah.

14’s Late Loss To Aberdeen

Rangers 2 Aberdeen 4

In a week that has saw the academy suffer a few defeats and produce some disappointing performances it ended with another loss when the Under 14’s lost two late goals to go down to the Aberdeen at The Training Centre this afternoon. But that doesn’t tell the story from today, the young Rangers side produced some excellent football and crafted two superb goals against a physically bigger and stronger Aberdeen side who favoured a more direct approach.

Rangers had the first opportunity when Ben Hutton’s ball down the right allowed Callum Young to break into the right side of the box but his poked shot went wide of the far post. Rangers then took the lead on ten minutes, when Stevie Nixon played the ball forward to Ewan Gray his superb turn took him away from the defender to the right hand byline and his low cross was fired high past the keeper by Ally Shaw.

The lead only last three minutes with the visitors breaking through the centre, Jayden Millarvie stood up to block the initial effort but was helpless as the rebound was knocked into the net. Aberdeen had another chance a couple of minutes later from deep inside the left side of the box with Jayden Millarvie blocking the shot at the near post with his legs.

Four minutes before the end of the first period the Aberdeen striker turned on the edge of the box and his shot was only just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Aberdeen took the lead in the opening minute of the second period from the penalty spot after Arron McAlonan had brought down the attacker inside the right hand side of the box.

On forty minutes Aberdeen attacked on the right and when the ball was centred Arron McAalonan dived to his right to save the shot. A minute later Rangers drew level with another superbly worked goal, a superb exchange of passes on the left involving Callum Stewart, Ally Shaw and Oliver Preston sent the latter to the byline and his low cross was fired past the keeper by Ewan Gray.

The visitors then had a couple of chances, the first coming into the left side of the box to force a save from Arron McAlonan. The Rangers keeper was called into action again a couple of minutes later when a corner from the right was cleared back to the taker he broke into the box and forced a save at the near post.

The last effort on goal of the period came from Rangers, a cross from the right was cleared as far as Oliver Preston who’s shot from the edge of the box was comfortably saved. Only a brilliant save three minutes into the final period prevented Rangers taking the lead, the ball was cleared from the penalty area to Pedro Chico on the edge of the box and his shot was heading fro the top corner until the keeper dived high to his left to claw the ball away for a corner. From Callum Young’s flag kick Stevie Nixon volleyed Just over.

Oliver Preston and Callum Stewart the exchanged a series of passes on the right side of the box before the latter picked out Ben Hutton on the edge of the box and his looping shot was held under the cross bar. Just before the turn round in the final period Pedro Chico won the ball and it broke to Stevie Nixon on the left hand angle of the box but he shot straight at the keeper.

On turning round Luke Moore passed to Stevie Nixon on the edge of the box where he side stepped a defender before shooting just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. The visitors then threatened with a break into the right side of the box with Arron McAlonan standing up to block the shot.

With four minutes remaining Aberdeen broke into the left side of the penalty area and shot across the keeper and into the net. They made the game safe in their next attack, the initial shot crashed off the underside of the bar but the rebound was knocked into the net.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 Aberdeen 4

Rangers Squad:- Jayden Millarvie (Gk), Arron McAlonan (Gk), Stevie Nixon, Josh Carson, Connor Owen, Lewis Smith, Pedro Chico, Ben Hutton, Luke Moore, Ewan Gray, Callum Young, Ally Shaw, Oliver Preston, Callum Shaw.