Queen's Park's Under 18s were unlucky to lose 4-3 to Rangers in CAS Elite League at Auchenhowie on Friday night.
Queen’s started the game with intent. In the first three minutes they created two corners with Darryl Carrick going close at the back post for the second.
Rangers responded a minute later with Joshua Gentles firing narrowly passed the near post after intercepting a defensive clearance.
Jamie Bradley was next to attempt to open the scoring with a shot from the edge of the box which was well saved by Alfie Halliwell in goal for Rangers.
In the ninth minute Sam Kane pulled off a superb save, diving low to his right, to block Rangers’ Kieron Willox’s drive.
Rangers were dominant in the opening period. Their power, pace and press disrupting Queen’s precise passing build up. Their constant pressure giving the young Spiders little time to open up the game.
In the 16th minute Theo McCormick broke through the Rangers line and had a shot which brought out another fine save by Halliwell who pushed the ball out for a corner.
Three minute later the Ibrox side opened the scoring when a Queen’s short corner was intercepted by a Rangers defender who then played the ball forward for Keiran Willox to run onto. The speedy Gers forward must have ran 50 yards with the ball before slipping the ball past the outcoming Sam Kane into the net.
Queen’s replied with a break down the right with Jayden Fitzpatrick finishing off the move with a shot which nicked the near post before going out for a goal kick.
Ross Mclean and Jamie Bradley were now beginning to become more effective in the midfield. Ross, in particular, was beginning to take the ball to the Rangers back line with pace. In the 22nd minute Ross showed his potential with a run that beat three defenders before laying the ball wide.
Four minutes later Ross, once again, beat three defenders before being upended inside the Rangers box for a penalty. Ross took the spot kick only to be denied by Halliwell who parried the kick. Ross went for the rebound, but he pulled his effort wide of the post.
The penalty attempt, although missed, gave the young Spiders a boost and they went on to have their best period of the game so far. The game was now being played mainly in the Rangers half and Queen’s were creating shots, but mainly from outside the box due to a well organised Rangers back line.
Half-time: Rangers 1 Queen’s Park 0
Three minutes into the second period Rangers had the ball in the net but the assistant referee flagged for offside.
Four minutes later Queen’s were on level terms. Theo McCormick raced down the left wing, cut the ball back to Leo Fisher who, in turn, moved the ball inside to Jamie Bradley. Jamie fired off a low shot for the edge of the box which the Gers keeper parried. Leo Fisher, who had followed the shot in, knocked home the rebound from seven yards out.
Rangers responded with a fast break in which Calum Adamson dribbled past two Queen’s defenders before shooting narrowly past the post.
In the 78th minute Rangers were back in front when substitute Blane McClure hit the ball into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Six minutes later Queen’s equalised. A free kick from wide right was delivered into the Rangers box and initially cleared. Leo Clark picked up the clearance and delivered the ball back down the right wing to Liam McVey. Liam crossed the ball Darryl Carrick who was waiting at the edge of the box. Darryl beat a defender, raced past another, before hitting his shot across the keeper, who got a hand to it, into the corner of the net from 18 yards out.
In the 86th minute Rangers were back in front for the third time. Keiran Willox was first to react to a Sam Kane block to knock the ball into the net.
Four minutes later Oliver Goodbrand added a fourth for the Ibrox side.
Full-time: Rangers 4 Queen’s Park 3
Despite the result the young Queen’s side should be very encouraged by their performance. There were periods in the game when the quality of the play was outstanding both defensively and in attack.
Rangers: Alfie Halliwell, Arran Kerr, Cameron Scott, Leyton Grant, Duncan Barlow, Cameron Bell, Harry Weir, Calum Adamson, Joshua Gentles, Findlay Curtis, Kieron Willox.
Subs: Oliver Goodbrand, Grant Leitch, Blane McClure, Callum Burnside, Lyle Wark, Alexander Smith, Greig Thackray.
Queen’s Park: Sam Kane, Leo Clark, Leo Fisher, Darryl Carrick, Michael Collie, Liam McVey, Jayden Fitzpatrick, Ross McLean, Conor Falls, Jamie Bradley, Theo McCormick.
Subs: Daniel Mathieson, Alfie Lumsden, Jude Bell, Josh Fitzpatrick, Lewis Burchill, Sam Gibson.