Gers B Team Defeat Albion Rovers

THE RANGERS B-Team came from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly against Albion Rovers this morning.

A young Rangers side lined up against the League Two outfit and after going a goal behind responded well with Chris McKee netting a double late in the game.

It was a fairly even first half at Rangers Training Centre, with neither side creating many clear cut chances.

Albion Rovers had an effort early on which was hit into the side netting before Kane Ritchie-Hosler cut in from the left to get a shot away at the other end but it was deflected out for corner.

Before the break Ross McCausland saw a shot go wide, before Chris McKee fired just off target after getting on the end of a Cole McKinnon cross.

There was one change for Rangers at half-time as Ben Williamson was replaced by Alex Lowry.

The young Gers started bright in the second-half and put pressure on Albion Rovers from the outset.

Kyle Semple did well to win the ball back on the left-hand side before playing in Kane Ritchie-Hosler. The winger found Chris McKee but his powerful shot was pushed away by the Albion Rovers goalkeeper.

McKee was again threatening just minutes later as he latched on the end of a lovely ball forward from Nathan Young-Coombes. McKee lifted the ball over the keeper first-time but it bounced just wide of the post.

The visitors thought they had opened the scoring on the 51st minute as the ball was curled into the back of the net but the linesman flagged for offside.

McKee and Nathan Young-Coombes combined well again shortly after but Young-Coombes effort hit the side of the net.

Coaches Kevin Thomson and Brian Gilmour made a few more changes to the side around the hour mark with Charlie Lindsay and Matthew Henderson coming on to replace Kyle Semple and Nathan Young-Coombes.

It was Albion Rovers who got the break-through in the game as a cross from the right was turned into the back of the net.

However, the Light Blues continued to work hard as they searched for a route back into the game.

A few more substitutions saw Umaro Balde and Tony Weston come on for Ross McCausland and Murray Miller.

Nicky Hogarth was called into action with eight minutes remaining as he turned behind a curling free-kick.

Rangers thought they were back level as Matthew Henderson picked out Chris McKee with a good cross which got a touch on to beat the goalkeeper but the goal was disallowed for offside.

However, it wasn’t long until McKee got on the scoresheet as he headed home a cross from Cole McKinnon.

In added time, the Gers took the lead. A well worked goal saw Alex Lowry find the run of Kane Ritchie-Hosler down the left. The winger took a touch to beat an Albion Rovers defender before firing a dangerous ball into the box which McKee tapped home from close range.

Rangers: N. Hogarth, McKinnon, Semple (Henderson, 61), Miller (Balde, 74), King, McClelland, McCausland (Weston, 74), Williamson (Lowry, 46), Young-Coombes (Lindsay, 64), McKee, Ritchie-Hosler. Subs: J. Hogarth.