RANGERS B Team gained a point this afternoon after a 2-2 draw with Caledonian Braves in the Lowland League.
A last-minute penalty for Rangers saw McCallum’s side grab a draw following an intense four-goal match.
The young Gers were back in action with their first game of the new year as they looked to start the second half of the season positively against Ricky Waddell’s side.
Jay Hogarth started in goals with a backline of Connor Allan, Kyle McClelland, Lewis MacKinnon and Kane Ritchie-Hosler.
MacKenzie Strachan, Murray Miller, Arron Lyall, Alex Lowry and Charlie Lindsay were in the midfield with Robbie Ure up front for the Gers.
The youngsters started with intensity from the referee’s first whistle, with several moves and opportunities being created to open the scoring.
Lindsay and Ure linked up well in the early stages of the match to pressurise the home side’s backline. Ure picked the ball up on the halfway line and found a pocket of space to play it through to an on-running Lindsay, who had made an excellent move into the box, but his first touch of the ball was just too heavy.
The Light Blues maintained their momentum with another opportunity to break the deadlock. On the 10-minute mark, Lyall made a great run down the left side of the pitch towards the corner flag, the youngster managed to weave past a couple of defenders into the box and cut the ball back to an unmarked Lindsay. He was able to connect to the pass, but the effort was deflected by a Braves’ shirt.
Waddell’s side were not without their own chances and were able to work their way into the Rangers box with Cameron Breadner driving towards Hogarth in goal. The striker made a powerful shot, but Hogarth remained calm and collected to save the effort.
Both teams continued to battle it out, on the lookout for the opening goal. McCallum’s side remained confident on the ball and maintained the majority of possession including some important interceptions to defuse any opportunities from the home side.
Waddell’s side were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rangers box following a challenge from McClelland. Jack Brown stood up to take it for the Braves, delivering a powerful shot towards the goal, but Hogarth made an excellent save by getting an important hand to the ball to tip it over the crossbar.
In the first minute of the second half, the home side opened the scoring after Luke Main managed to push into the Rangers box and hit the back of the net. Braves sparked a burst of energy following this to try and add to their lead, but the Gers backline did well to deny any additional opportunities.
Breadner collected the ball and was able to push forward towards the Rangers net, but Hogarth pulled off another exceptional save to deflect the shot.
In the 59th minute, Alex Lowry found the equaliser for the B team. The youngster picked the ball on the edge of the home side’s box and sent a curling effort into the bottom-right corner of the net.
The rhythm from the young Gers was ignited following this- Ritchie-Hosler made threatening advancement down the right-wing and crossed a dangerous ball to Ure at the front post. The youngster got an effective touch to the ball, but it was sent just wide of the post.
Both teams were on the search for their next goal to gain the lead, but in the 78th-minute mark, Waddell’s side saw their second goal to put them in the lead. Rhys Armstrong sent the ball into the top left corner from the edge of the box.
In the last minute of the game, Rangers were awarded a penalty after a Braves player was given a handball against him in the box. Lowry stepped up to take the penalty and sent it low into the bottom-right of the net to end the game with a point apiece.
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