RANGERS U19’s progressed through to the next round of the UEFA Youth League after defeating Septemvri Sofia 3-0 this evening in the second leg of the tie.
Goals from Alex Lowry, Tony Weston and Cole McKinnon saw the Light Blues earn their place in the next round of the tournament with a 7-2 aggregate score.
The Young Gers continued their UEFA Youth League journey this evening as they welcomed Ivan Nedelchev Geshev’s side to a cold and windy Dumbarton Stadium for the second leg against the Bulgarian side.
Three changes were made for the fixture with a back four of Adam Devine, Robbie Fraser, Kyle McClelland and Leon King and Jay Hogarth behind them in goals.
Murray Miller, Tony Weston, Cole McKinnon, were in the middle of the park, with Robbie Ure, Alex Lowry and Ross McCausland up front for the Light Blues.
The Young Gers started the match positively, maintaining most of the possession whilst remaining patient on the ball to advance forward into the Septemvri Sofia final third to pressurise their backline.
The youngsters had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the eighth minute when Adam Devine delivered a threatening ball in from the right side to connect with Ross McCausland at the back post. The Light Blue managed to get a touch to the ball but was unable to keep it low and on target.
McCallum’s side began to settle in the testing weather conditions with Alex Lowry linking up well with Devine to create a good opportunity to open the scoring. Lowry crossed a lovely ball to the youngster running down the right-wing. Devine then took a touch to cut it back into the congested box to meet the on running Tony Weston, but his strike was blocked by a defender.
Septemvri Sofia had a few chances to break towards the Rangers goal, but the backline remained calm to defuse and intercept any opportunities.
Simeon Aleksandrov made a well-timed interception from Devine to drive forward into the Rangers half, but Kyle McClelland was able to calmly break up play before any chance on goal.
The Light Blues again nearly found the opening goal in the last ten minutes of the first half. Devine and Robbie Ure fantastically linked up within the Septemvri Sofia box to weave between the defenders. Devine switched the ball to Ure who was able to find some space and take a strike, but he sent it just wide of the post.
Sofia remained dangerous after this and Aleksandrov found himself in some space on the edge of the Rangers box where he was able to take a powerful strike narrowly drifting wide of the front post.
Sofia were ignited with a burst of energy following this and Aleksandrov was able to take a powerful strike within the Rangers box, but it was sent just wide of the front post.
The Gers maintained their patient endeavours into the second half, and it resulted in Lowry netting the first of the night. The Light Blue took an excellent curling corner kick for his side and hit the back of the net with the assistance of the wind to push it towards the goal.
The goal sparked a hunger from the Gers, they continued to pressurise the Sofia players and made an excellent number of dangerous interceptions. Weston made an important interception within the Sofia final third and linked up well with Ure to find the second goal of the evening. Ure collected the ball from Weston at the front post and cut it back into the box for the youngster to fire a low shot into the back corner.
The young Gers continued their momentum into the latter stages of the second half and did well to manage the game through the testing weather conditions. Chris McKee took a powerful free-kick a few yards from the edge of the box and sent the ball rattling off the crossbar to nearly get the third of the evening.
The Gers remained patient and dominant on the ball into the last ten minutes of the match, they continued their search for another goal and continued to be dangerous within the Sofia final third.
Cole McKinnon netted the third and final goal for the Gers in the last five minutes of the match for the Young Gers. The youngster picked the ball up a few yards out from the edge of the box and was able to take a touch before sending a powerful strike towards the top left-hand corner of the goal.
RANGERS U19’s: Jay Hogarth, Adam Devine, Robbie Fraser, Leon King (Lewis MacKinnon, 46), Kyle McClelland, Murray Miller, Tony Weston (Charlie Lindsay, 66), Cole McKinnon, Robbie Ure (Christopher McKee, 65), Alex Lowry (Rory Wilson, 66), Ross McCausland (Arron Lyall, 53).
UNUSED SUBS: Jack McConnell, Connor Allan.
SEPTEMVRI SOFIA: Ivaylo Krasimirov Iliev, Bozhidar Rosenov Piralkov, Miroslav Emilov, Delkov, Zahari Atansov, Martin Filipov, Simeon Aleksandrov, Krasian Bozhidarov Kolev, Martin Plamenov Stoychev, Borislav Rumenov Marinov, Stoyan Krastev Stoichkov, Georgi Vladimirov Dokanin.
UNUSED SUBS: Martin Milenov Ivanov, Martin Mihaylov, Kris Yavorov Valchinov, Georgi Petrov Shopov, Nikolay Ivanov Zhelyazkov, Teodor Ivaylov Tsvetanov, Georgi Valentinov Ivanov.
REFEREE: Sandi Putros
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Stefan Beck Bramsen and Dennis Wollenberg Rasmussen
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Grant Irvine
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