18’s Lose To Performance Tier Champions

Rangers 0 St Johnstone 3

Rangers U18’s suffered a defeat to Performance Tier Champions St Johnstone at The Rangers Training Centre this afternoon, a Ben McChrystal double and a Joe Ellison goal secured the win. Rangers probably should have been ahead in the first half but were completely out played after the break and were perhaps a bit fortunate to get away with a three goal losing margin.

Rangers had the first chance on eleven minutes when Josh Gentles latched on to a pass from the right, his shot deflected towards goal off the body of the goalkeeper  but a defender was well placed to clear from the goal line. Harry Weir then had a chance when he broke into the left side of the penalty area with the keeper diverting the ball wide of his near post.

Just before the half hour mark Kieron Willox passed in from the left and Kerr Robertson’s touch released Josh Gentles inside the box, the keeper got a touch on the shot to divert the ball on to the bar and over. A minute later Kieron Willox sent Josh Gentles through but he was denied at point blank range by another fine save.

The visitors only real chance of the first half came when they broke into the right side of the box with Greig Thackray making the save.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 St Johnstone 0

Rangers had an early indication of what was to come when St Johnstone attacked on the right and when the ball was passed inside the shot bounced off Greig Thackray’s left hand post.  The opening goal followed six minutes later, Rangers losing possession on the edge of their own box allowing the Saints player to step into the box and shoot past Greig Thackray.

The lead was doubled within three minutes, a corner from the right was delivered beyond the back post were it was headed into the net. Number three soon followed from an attack on the left with a cut inside and a shot past the keeper.

A controversial incident then followed, with a St Johnstone striker through on goal the referee stopped the game for a head knock to the Saints player who flicked the ball on, allowing the play to continue for a few seconds should have been the decision. The next chance came when a ball over the Rangers defence allowed the visitors to break into the right side of the box and only a great Cammy Scott challenge cleared the danger.

St Johnstone had the final chance with an attack into the left side of the box and a pass inside but the shot was narrowly wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Full- Time:- Rangers 0 St Johnstone 3

Rangers:- Greig Thackray; Cammy Bell (Arran Kerr HT), Duncan Barlow (Jack Wylie HT), Connor Campbell (Cammy Scott HT), Lyle Wark (Olly Goodbrand 74 Mins); Grant Leitch (Aidan McCallion 74 Mins); Kerr Robertson (Calum Adamson HT), Callum Burnside (Blaine McClure HT); Kieron Willox (Lewis Stewart HT); Harry Weir (Findlay Curtis HT), Josh Gentles (Chris Eadie HT).

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk), Alex Smith.