18’s Lose In Tranent

Hibernian 3 Rangers 2

Rangers Under 18’s lost their league game away to Hibernian at The Hibernian Training Centre in Tranent this afternoon. Two poor goals in two minutes early in the second half turned the game against them not long after they had levelled the match.

Rangers had the first chance on seven minutes when Callum Burnside was sent through but he shot wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Two minutes later when the ball was cleared from Hibs box it landed at the feet of Lyle Wark who shot wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers were having the better of the early stages and the next effort came from a Jack Wylie twenty five yarder that was straight at Ryan Mallon. The home side came close on seventeen minutes, Harry Wright hit the left hand byline and picked out Dean Cleland with his cutback and Greig Thackray was forced to turn the shot wide of his near post.

On the half hour mark Reuben McAllister burst into the left side of the Rangers box but shot wide of the far post. Straight to the other end and Calum Adamson won a challenge and passed to Lyle Wark on the right side of the box but a deflection on the shot took it straight to Ryan Mallon.

The home side took the lead four minutes before the break, Rory Whittaker provided the cross from the right and Rudi Molotnikov headed past Greig Thackray.

Half-Time:-Hibernian 1 Rangers 0

Rangers were back on level terms five minutes after the break, Callum Burnside providing the pass to send Chris Eadie through to continue into the box and shoot past Ryan Mallon. They were level for three minutes then two poor goals put the up against it. Rueben McAllister found the net from a free-kick on the right side of the box but Greig Thackray’s positioning appeared to give the midfielder a big target to aim at.

A minute later Jack Wylie lost possession inside the right side of his own box and the ball broke for Dean Cleland to shoot past the keeper. Just before the hour Lewis Stewart advanced on the right and played the ball forward to Callum Burnside  his low cross from the byline was cut out by the diving Ryan Mallon.

Back to the other end and Jacob McIntyre broke into the right side of Rangers box but he poked his shot wide of the far post. Kieron Willox then sent Cammy Scott down the left and his dangerous cross from the byline was cleared over his own crossbar by Jamie Bulloch.

With just under twenty minutes remaining a ball over the Hibs defence sent Arian Allen through, he continued into the box but shot over. At the other end Rueben McAllister’s free-kick from wide left was headed narrowly over by Joe McGrath.

With five minutes remaining a ball into the box broke to Harry Weir on the right side of the penalty area, his initial shot was blocked but he followed up to fire past Ryan Mallon. Two minutes into injury time Rangers missed a great chance to secure a point, Cammy Scott picked out Callum Burnside from the left hand byline but the midfielder screwed his shot just wide of the far post.

Full-Time:- Hibernian 3 Rangers 2

Hibernian:- Ryan Mallon; Joe McGrath, Jamie Bulloch, Owen Hastie; Rory Whittaker, Reuben McAllister, Owen Calder; Jacob McIntyre, Harry Wright (Jamie McMurdo); Dean Cleland, Rudi Molotnikov.

Rangers:- Greig Thackray; Arran Kerr, Jack Wylie, Connor Campbell, Cammy Scott; Calum Adamson (Grant Leitch 80 Mins), Blaine McClure (Kerr Robertson 80 Mins); Lyle Wark (Harry Weir 66 Mins), Chris Eadie (Arian Allen 66 Mins),Lewis Stewart (Kieron Willox 60 Mins).

Not Used:- Alfie Halliwell (Gk)

Win For U16’s

Rangers 2 St Mirren 0

Rangers Under 16’s got back on track following their heavy defeat to Hearts last week with a comfortable win over St Mirren at The Rangers Training Centre. The Rangers Squad included two Under 17’s and three Under 15’s, St Mirren were without a few regulars who have been playing up at Under 18’s

On eight minutes Harry Weir went past three defenders and into the box with a slightly heavy touch allowing the keeper to save bravely at the midfielder’s feet. Just beyond the quarter hour mark Jose Calelia cut in from the left before shooting straight at the keeper.

On twenty-five minutes we had the first threat from the visitors which came from a free kick on the left hand angle of the box that Rydnn Maguire dived high to his left to make the save. Five minutes later Evan Molloy laid the ball back to Cammy Fernie on the edge of the box and he forced a save from the keeper low to his right.

Rangers took the lead two minutes later, Jack Caldwell and Aiden McCallion combined on the right and when the ball was passed into the box Alex Smith showed great skill to side step a defender on the six yard box and shoot past the keeper. Another chance followed when Callum Young advanced on the left and passed inside to Arian Allen, he first effort was parried by the keeper and when he followed up on the rebound a defender blocked.

The final chance of the half came when Jose Calelia sent Arian Allen through on goal, he continued into the box but shot straight at the keeper.

Half-Time:- Rangers 1 St Mirren 0

The game had reached the hour mark before we had the first real chance of the second half, Ronald Nimyel cutting in from the left but was denied by a brilliant save from the keeper diving to his left. St Mirren then had  chance when they advanced into the right side of the box but the shot was straight at Rydnn Maguire.

With the final twenty minutes approaching Callum Young sent Cammy Fernie down the left, he cut inside and forced the keeper to dive to his left to turn the ball wide. From the corner from the right Rangers doubled their lead, it was delivered to the back post and Connor Owen’s header was brilliantly parried keeper but it fell for Evan Molloy to volley into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

There was one more near thing to come, Aiden McCallion’s twenty-five yarder going just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Full-Time:- Rangers 2 St Mirren 0

Rangers Squad:- Rydnn Maguire (Gk), Jaden Millarvie (Gk), Jack Caldwell, Evan Molloy, Connor Owen, Callum Young, Aiden McCallion, Cammy Fernie, Harry Weir, Alex Smith, Jose Calelia, Arian Allen, Cormac Christie, Ronald Nimyel, Zak Richford

On Saturday morning I watched the Under 13’s play Hibernian in a series of four nine-a-side games, Rangers winning all four, 5-0, 1-0, 4-1 and 3-2,

There was another game on Saturday afternoon but I was asked not to report on the game.

Stalemate For Under 18’s

Rangers 0 Hibernian 0

Some goalless draws are end to end affairs with chances, saves and near misses at both ends, this wasn’t one of them. From the efforts on goal we did see Rangers had the better of them.

Hibs threatened just after the quarter hour mark from a low left hand cross into the box with a fine Connor Campbell challenge clearing the danger. Four minutes later Jack Wylie’s long ball was headed into Josh Gentles path by Findlay Curtis and his shot from inside the right side of the box was turned wide of his near post by Ryan Mallon.

Six minutes before the break Kerr Robertson fed Findlay Curtis on the left he advanced into the box but saw his shot deflected wide of the near post. Hibs had a narrow escape on the stroke of half-time when Josh Gentles chased down Ryan Mallon on the edge of his six yard box, the keeper’s attempted clearance cannoned off the Rangers striker and just wide of the keeper left hand post.

Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 0

Four minutes after the break Findlay Curtis sent Archie Stevens into the right side of the box but he shot across goal and wide of the far post. In the next attack Findlay Curtis cut along the eighteen yard line from the left but his shot was comfortably saved by Ryan Mallon.

On fifty-six minutes Jack Wylie got his head to Blaine McClure’s corner from the right but it was wide of the near post. Hibs had shown little in the way of attack but midway through the half a cross from the right was headed narrowly over.

With a quarter hour remaining Zander Hutton cut in from the right and his powerful strike forced Ryan Mallon to tip over. Deep into injury time Zander Hutton’s cross from the right had Ryan Mallon stretching but again the keeper managed to tip over.

Full-Time:- Rangers 0 Hibernian 0

Rangers:- Mason Munn; Jack Wylie, Leyton Grant, Connor Campbell; Zander Hutton, Kerr Robertson (Chris Eadie 61 Mins), Blaine McClure (Callum Burnside 68 Mins), Cammy Scott; Findlay Curtis; Archie Stevens, Josh Gentles.

Not Used:- Greig Thackray (Gk), Arran Kerr, Grant Leitch, Lyle Wark, Kieron Willox.

Hibernian:- Ryan Mallon; Joe McGrath, Jay McGarva (Jamie McMurdo 74 Mins), Owen Hastie; Reuben McAllister (Jamie Bulloch 59 Mins); Rory Whittaker, Jacob McIntyre, Harry Wright, Owen Calder; Josh Landers (Josh McDonald), Dean Clelland.

Not Used:- Ben Vickery (Gk), Alfie Smith.

18’s Lose At Lennoxtown

Celtic 3 Rangers 1

Following on from what was probably their best performance of the season Rangers Under 18’s were certainly second best on their visit to Lennoxtown going down to rivals Celtic.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the early stages and it was a couple of minutes shy of the half hour when we saw the first real chance. Archie Stevens played in Findlay Curtis deep inside the left side of the penalty area but he shot wide of the far post. Celtic then took the lead on the half hour, capitalising on a Leyton Grant slip to break into the box and shoot past Alfie Halliwell.

Six minutes later another slip from the same player allowed Celtic to break into the right side of the box but the shot was screwed wide of the far post. A couple of minutes before the break Rangers cleared a cross from their box but it landed for a Celtic midfielder who shot straight at Alfie Halliwell.

Rangers were creating their own problems and in first half injury time Alfie Halliwell’s clearance went straight to an attacker on the edge of the box but the keeper redeemed himself diving to his left to turn the ball wide.

Half-Time:- Celtic 1 Rangers 0

Early in the second half the home side were awarded a penalty but the linesman flagged and indicated the offence was outside the right side of the box. Celtic soon had a chance from the left side of the box that Alfie Halliwell dived to his left to make the save.

Another chance followed from the opposite side of the box but the shot was just wide of the far post. Celtic were now dominating and a dangerous cross from the left had Alfie Halliwell stretching to claw the ball away.

Celtic got their second goal around the hour mark, cutting in from the right and shooting across Alfie Halliwell into the far corner. Five minutes later it was three, it was crafted on the right and the low cross was converted at close range.

Rangers got on the scoresheet with twelve minutes remaining, Cammy Scott running on to a pass through the inside left channel to continue into the box and shoot past the keeper. It could have been an interesting last five minutes had Chris Eadie’s shot from inside the left side of the box found the net but it came back off the near post.

That really was the last chance of the match, but the results and performances across the Academy in the past few days must be a real concern.

Full -Time:- Celtic 3 Rangers 1

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell; Zander Hutton, Jack Wylie, Leyton Grant, Cammy Scott; Kerr Robertson (Josh Gentles 63 Mins); Paul Nsio, Blaine McClure; Archie Stevens, Chris Eadie, Findlay Curtis (Lyle Wark 74 Mins)

Not Used:- Greig Thackray (Gk), Arran Kerr, Connor Campbell, Grant Leitch, Kieron Willox.

18’s Hit Dons For Six

Aberdeen 1 Rangers 6

Rangers Under 18’s produced arguably their best performance of the season against an admittedly young Aberdeen side at Cormack Park this afternoon. The margin of victory could have been greater with a few close calls for Aberdeen as well as the goals.

Rangers came close as early as the second minute, Josh Gentles shot from inside the left side of the box was parried by Rodrigo Vitols and the keeper reacted to block Paul Nsio at point blank range from the rebound. Five minutes later Dylan Ross swung in a free-kick from the right hand touchline that had Alfie Halliwell stretching to turn wide of the far post.

A minute later Aberdeen attacked the left side of the box and the ball into the penalty area broke to Fletcher Boyd but he shot wide of Alfie Halliwell’s right hand post. The half was just beyond the midpoint when Calum Adamson fed Blaine McClure inside the left side of the box from where he shot wide of the far post.

Five minutes later Kerr Robertson move the ball forward to Calum Adamson who passed to Chris Eadie inside the left side of the box and under pressure from a defender he shot straight at Rodrigo Vitols. Just before the half hour mark Rangers took the lead, Blaine McClure passed to Zander Hutton on the right and when he passed inside Paul Nsio found the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Rangers doubled their lead four minutes later, Zander Hutton bursting between two defenders on the right hand angle of the box before shooting into the near top corner. Josh Gentles then sent Calum Adamson through the inside right channel, he continued into the box and forced Rodrigo Vitols to tip over..

The home side tried to respond and a good turn on the edge of the box by Fletcher Boyd made space for the shot which was just wide of Alfie Halliwell’s right hand post. Rangers third goal soon followed, Josh Gentles providing the pass to Calum Adamson inside the right side of the box and he shot across the keeper into the far corner.

With a minute of the half remaining Paul Nsio sent Chris Eadie through on goal but the Rangers striker shot narrowly over. There was still time for Paul Nsio to pass to Josh Gentles on the left, he burst into the box but was denied by Rodrigo Vitols who raced from his line to make the block.

Half-Time:- Aberdeen 0 Rangers 3

The second half was six minutes old when Rangers increased their lead, Cammy Scott breaking on the left and sending Chris Eadie clear inside the left side of the box where he shot past the keeper. Aberdeen’s first attack of the half came on the left, Connor Campbell cleared to the edge of the box as far as Fletcher Boyd who was denied by a fine tip over from Alfie Halliwell.

Just before the hour mark Jack Wylie broke forward and passed to Chris Eadie who released Lyle Wark inside the box but he shot wide of the keeper’s right hand post. With just over twenty-five minutes remaining the home side got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, Cammy Wilson chased a through ball and lobbed the advancing Alfie Halliwell, the players collided and the referee awarded a penalty against the keeper, with the fouled player converting the penalty.

Rangers restored their four goal advantage midway through the half, Blaine McClure exchanged passes with Lewis Stewart then teed up Lyle Wark who shot past Rodrigo Vitols from around the penalty spot. Five became six four minutes later, Paul Nsio sent Lyle Wark down the right and his centre picked out Chris Eadie who shot past the keeper.

Rangers had one final chance to add to their tally, Rodrigo Vitol’s attempted pass was intercepted by Lewis Stewart but the keeper redeemed himself getting down to his left to turn the Rangers substitute’s shot wide of the post.

Full-Time:- Aberdeen 1 Rangers 6

Aberdeen:- Rodrigo Vitols; Cooper Masson, Lewis Carroll, Tim Akindileni, Dylan Ross; Christovie Kondolo (Zak To 82 Mins), Ellis Clarke (????? Wiseman 82 Mins); Joe Teasdale (Olly Green HT), Fletcher Boyd, Cammy Wilson: Fraser Mackie.

Not Used:- Reuben Smillie (Gk), Jack Searle, ????? Payne

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell; Zander Hutton, Jack Wylie, Connor Campbell, Cammy Scott (Arran Kerr 64 Mins) ; Kerr Robertson (Grant Leitch 71 Mins); Calum Adamson (Lyle Wark HT), Blaine McClure; Paul Nsio, Chris Eadie (Harry Weir 71 Mins), Josh Gentles. (Lewis Stewart 64 Mins).

Not Used:- Greig Thackray (Gk), Findlay Curtis.

15’s Lose At Hearts

Hearts 3 Rangers 1

Rangers Under 15’s lost to their Hearts counterparts at The Orium  this afternoon and if I’m being honest they never looked like winning at any stage.

Hearts had the first chance on three minutes when Rangers lost possession on the halfway line and they broke down the left before cutting inside and shooting past the far post. Eight minutes later the home side took the lead, a free-kick close to the left hand corner flag was swung to the back post where it was headed past Jaden Millarvie.

Rangers first chance came just after the quarter hour mark when Max Cameron progressed on the right, he played the ball across goal where Luke Moore missed his kick in front of goal under pressure from a defender. Five minutes later Ewan Gray passed to Max Cameron who shot from the left side of the box which the keeper saved comfortably.

Hearts doubled their lead midway through the half, when the ball was passed in from the right Jaden Millarvie appeared to have the shot covered but it slipped through his grasp and into the net. The Rangers keeper redeemed himself on the half hour mark, diving to his left to turn a shot from inside the left side of the box wide.

Rangers really should have reduced the deficit two minutes later, from Luke Moore’s cross from the right the keeper and defender got into a mix up and the ball landed at the feet of Ben Hutton inside the six yard box, with the goal at his mercy he knocked the ball over.

Max Cameron the broke through the inside left channel and into the box but his shot was wide of the near post. A minute later Rangers got on the scoresheet, Callum Young crossed from the right and Luke Moore volleyed past the keeper at the back post.

A brilliant point blank save from Jaden Millarvie a couple of minutes later prevented Hearts restoring their two goal lead when they broke through the middle. The home side had another chance when they broke into the left side of the box but the shot was straight at Jaden Millarvie.

Half-Time:- Hearts 2 Rangers 1

The second half was just over ten minutes old when Hearts grabbed their third, a pass inside the right back position allowed the ball to be played across goal, the initial shot came off the underside of the bar but the loose ball was nodded into the net. On the hour Max Cameron challenged the keeper on the left hand byline and the ball broke to Luke Moore on the left hand angle of the box but his first time effort was just wide of the far post.

A poor kick out from the Hearts keeper went to Olly Preston whose twenty-five yard effort went wide of the keeper’s left hand post. Midway through the half Olly Preston sent Daniel Owonyomi through the inside right channel, he continued into the box but the keeper comfortably saved the shot.

The game then petered out with neither keeper being seriously threatened in the closing stages.

Full-Time:- Hearts 3 Rangers 1

Rangers Squad:- Jaden Millarvie (Gk), Sam Reid (Gk), Kyle Rodger, Ben Hutton, Lewis Smith, Ashton Patton, Luca Rankin, Olly Preston, Callum Young, Ewan Gray, Max Cameron, Luke Moore, Kyle Glasgow, Daniel Owonyomi, Coben Ferguson.

In the morning Rangers Under 13’s took on their Hearts opposite numbers, they started by playing four fifteen minutes seven-a-side games. Rangers winning one 1-0 and losing three 0-2.

They then played a three twenty minute period eleven-a-side game which Rangers won comfortably.

Hearts 0 Rangers 4

Rangers took an early lead when the ball was played across goal from the left and Harry Collins netted at the far post. Rangers doubled their lead in the opening minute of the second period, Harry Collins hit the right hand byline and cut the ball back for Connor Miles to shoot past the keeper.

Cody Mensing the broke forward and exchanged passes with Olly Masterton on the right side of the box before passing across goal to Connor Miles who shot wide or the keeper’s left hand post. In the next attack Ryan Nolan passed to Harry Collins he played in Olly Masterton inside the left side of the box with the keeper making the save.

Rangers scored a third early in the final period, Ollie Johnstone breaking forward from defence, exchanging passes with Jai Quigg and shooting past the keeper. Hearts hadn’t threatened Rangers goal but created a chance a couple of minutes later and Gregor Lee was forced to produce a fine save.

The scoring was completed when Connor Miles in possession on the right passed inside for Ottis Henderson to shoot past the keeper.

Full-Time:- Hearts 0 Rangers 4

Rangers Squad:- Baxter Anderson (Gk), Gregor Lee (Gk), Nathan Brown, Kai Urban, Ollie Johnstone, Max Morris, Rudi Cash, Cody Mensing, Harry Collins, Ryan Nolan, Ottis Henderson, Jai Quigg, Olly Masterton, Connor Miles, Matthew Bryce, Ollie McGhee.

18’s Lose At Hamilton

Hamilton Accies 3 Rangers 2

An early red card and penalty meant Rangers were up against it but the ten men came back to level from two goals down only to lose a third goal almost immediately.

There was nine minutes on the clock when a free-kick from wide right set up a scramble on the edge of Rangers six yard box, when the ball was knocked towards goal Leyton Grant handled on the line and received a red card with Ben Black converting from the spot. Rangers were pinned back but the home side weren’t threating the Rangers goal, then ten minutes before the break a good Rangers passing move ended with Archie Stevens setting up Paul Nsio inside the right side of the box but he shot over.

Just before the break Archie Stevens broke into the right side of the box with Reece Murray parrying the shot behind for a corner.

Half-Time:- Hamilton Accies 1 Rangers 0

Seven minutes into the second half Connor Campbell brought down an attacker inside the right side of the penalty area and Ben Black grabbed is second goal from the spot. Rangers pulled a goal back a couple of minutes beyond the hour mark, Zander Hutton’s cross from the right sailed over the head of Reece Murray and found the net via the far post.

The final quarter hour was approaching when Ben Black broke into the left side of the box and squared the ball to set up a shot which forced Greig Thackray into a fine save. With nine minutes remaining Paul Nsio shot from the edge of the box with Reece Murray getting down to his left to turn the ball wide.

A minute later Rangers were level, Calum Adamson’s pass inside the full back released Jack Wylie inside the left side of the box and his pass inside picked out Paul Nsio who shot past the keeper. Rangers were level for barely two minutes, Gravine Kalala cutting in from the left and shooting past Greig Thackray.

Rangers had a couple of efforts in the closing stages to level again, when a cross from the left found its way to the back post Arran Kerr’s volley was parried by Reece Murray. In injury time the ball was moved across the edge of the box from the right to Paul Nsio’s whose shot was deflected just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Full-Time:- Hamilton Accies 3 Rangers 2

Rangers:- Greig Thackray; Zander Hutton, Jack Wylie, Leyton Grant, Connor Campbell (Calum Adamson 77 Mins); Kerr Robertson (Blaine McClure 57 Mins); Callum Burnside (Arran Kerr 9 Mins), Paul Nsio; Archie Stevens, Josh Gentles (Chris Eadie 57 Mins), Findlay Curtis (Cammy Scott 57 Mins).

Not Used:- Rydnn Maguire (Gk), Lyle Wark.

14’s Host Sheffield Wednesday

Rangers 4 Sheffield Wednesday 1

Rangers Under 14’s recorded a comfortable win over their counterparts from English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at The Rangers Training Centre this afternoon. It took them a while to make the breakthrough but once they did the result wasn’t in any doubt.

The first chance of the game came on five minutes when Kyle Glasgow cut in from the right with keeper diving low to his right to make the save. Just beyond the twenty minute mark Coben Ferguson broke through the inside left channel and played in the unmarked Daniel Owonyomi who advanced into the box but was denied when the keeper came from his line to make a fine save.

Within sixty seconds the visitors had their first real chance from a shot from just inside the box that the Trialist No 5 blocked. Kyle Glasgow then left three defenders behind as he broke into the right side of the penalty area but shot wide of the far post, meaning the first period finished goalless.

Six minutes into the second period Daniel Owonyomi sent Luca Rankin down the right, he cut inside past a defender before shooting wide of the far post. Rangers broke the deadlock two minutes later, Trialist No 5 sent Kyle Glasgow down the right where he went past two defenders to the right hand byline inside the box, he low cross come shot deflected off a defender past the keeper for and Own Goal.

The lead was doubled less than five minutes later, Ashton Scally got to the right hand byline and when his cross was headed out it was collected by Luca Rankin on the edge of the box from where he shot past the keeper. Wednesday then missed a good chance, a left hand corner was headed back out to the taker and from his cross it was headed back across goal and just wide.

Rangers scored a third six minutes before the end of the second period, Trialist No 6 won the ball and played it forward to Callum McDonald who went bye a defender before shooting past the keeper. There then was a chance at each end before the end of the period, Trialist No 5 played the ball over the defence, Ty O’Connor went past the advancing keeper and looked sure to score but a defender got back to clear from the line. At the other end the ball was moved from the right across the eighteen yard line to left of centre but the shot was straight at the keeper.

The visitors pulled a goal back seven minutes into the final period, the attack was into the left side of the box and when the ball went across the penalty area it was knocked home at the back post. They came close to a second four minutes later, the shot from the edge of the box coming back off the keeper’s left hand post.

Rangers finished the game on the front foot with Callum McDonald coming close with a shot from inside the left side of the box that the keeper saved. In the next attack Rangers scored a fourth, Kyle Glasgow cutting in past a defender before shooting into the far corner. The final chance of the match came when Coben Ferguson went past a defender on the edge of the box but the keeper kept the ball out with an outstretched foot.

Full-Time:- Rangers 4 Sheffield Wednesday 1

Rangers Squad:- Trialist Gk, Ethan Molloy, Trialist No 5, Carson McGauley, Ashton Scally, Trialist No 6, Luca Rankin, Riley Bryson, Kyle Glasgow, Daniel Owonyomi, Coben Ferguson, Charlie Greenlaw, Jedan Donaldson, Arran McMillan, Callum McDonald.

High Scoring Draw For 18’s

Aberdeen 4 Rangers 4

Rangers and Aberdeen Under 18’s shared eight goals in an entertaining game at a wet and windy Cormack Park, The continuous rain made taking note and providing updates difficult. Aberdeen looked likely winners with a two goal lead at the break, the momentum was then with Rangers when they levelled the game. A penalty restored the home side’s lead before Rangers grabbed a late leveller with a draw probably being a fair result.

Rangers had a chance on the opening minute when Connor Campbell broke on the left and passed to Paul Nsio who shot over from the edge of the box. Rangers were having the better of the early exchanges but Aberdeen scored with their first attack on six minutes. Joe Teasdale switched play from the right to Cammy Wilson on the left and his pass inside setup Fraser Mackie to shoot past Alfie Halliwell.

Brendan Hamilton then tried his luck from a thirty yard free kick that was narrowly wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Rangers drew level just beyond the twenty minute mark, Alfie Stewart lost possession to Paul Nsio and the edge of his own box and one pass later Findlay Curtis shot past the keeper.

A Blaine McClure corner from the right six minutes later found Paul Nsio who volleyed over at the near post. Just beyond half hour there was danger at each end. Alfie Halliwell did well to gather a low dangerous Brendan Hamilton cross from the left. At the other end Conner Campbell’s cross from the left broke to Archie Stevens deep inside the right side of the box but was denied by a Rodrigo Vitols point blank save.

Two minutes later Rangers were behind, Calum Adamson left a pass short trying to play out from his own penalty area and Alfie Stewart pounced to shoot past Alfie Halliwell. That lead was extended five minutes before the break, Rangers were again caught playing out from the back, Alfie Stewart’s initial effort was deflected onto a post but he was first to react and nod in the rebound.

Half-Time:- Aberdeen 3 Rangers 1

Ten minutes after the break Rangers came close when the ball broke to Chris Eadie inside the right side of the box with Rodrigo Vitols again producing a fine point blank save to divert the ball for a corner. At the other end Brendan Hamilton forced a save from Alfie Halliwell with a shot from the left side of the box.

Rangers pulled a goal back a couple of minutes shy of the hour, Archie Stevens fed Josh Gentles inside the right side of the box, he worked along the byline and squeezed a shot past the keeper from a tight angle. Two minutes later Findlay Curtis’s cushioned pass found Chris Eadie inside the left side of the box and from his centre Josh Gentles hooked wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Rangers levelled with twenty-five minutes to go, Kerr Robertson passed to Josh Gentles on the edge of the box and right of centre from where he shot across the keeper into the far corner. It would seem the momentum would be with Rangers but it was the young Aberdeen side who grabbed the next goal. In the initial attack Fraser Mackie passed to Cammy Wilson on the right side of the box with his effort coming back off the crossbar. The ball landed at the feet of Fraser Mackie on the edge of the box and from his shot Alfie Halliwell parried, the keeper challenged for the loose ball with Cammy Wilson but brought the attacker down who stepped up to convert from the spot.

Rangers pushed for another equaliser and when Archie Stevens fed Zander Hutton inside the right side of the box Rodrigo Vitols dived full length to his right to parry, Chris Eadie looked favourite to reach the loose ball but a brilliant Kai Watson challenge cleared for a corner. The equaliser soon came when Findlay Curtis chested a clearance forward to break through an Aberdeen defence hopefully claiming hand ball to shoot past Rodrigo Vitols.

Full Time:- Aberdeen 4 Rangers 4

Aberdeen:- Rodrigo Vitols, Kai Watson, Lewis Carroll, Tim Akindileni; Joe Teasdale (Cooper Masson 78 Mins), Ellis Clark, Alfie Stewart, Brendan Hamilton;  Fletcher Boyd: Fraser Mackie, Cammy Wilson.

Not Used:- Rueben Smillie (Gk), Christovie Kondolo, Dylan Ross, Oliver Green, Tristan Stephen

Rangers:- Alfie Halliwell; Zander Hutton, Jack Wylie, Leyton Grant, Connor Campbell; Blaine McClure (Kerr Robertson HT), Calum Adamson (Josh Gentles HT), Paul Nsio; Archie Stevens, Chris Eadie, Findlay Curtis.

Not Used:- Greig Thackray (Gk), Arran Kerr, Cammy Bell, Lyle Wark, Callum Burnside.