RANGERS U19’s were knocked out of the UEFA Youth League after a 1-0 defeat against Sevilla at Dumbarton this afternoon.
It was a hard-fought match from the Light Blues but an early second half goal from Carlos Alvarez saw the Spanish side progress to the last 16 of the tournament.
It was an exciting day for the Young Gers as they welcomed Sevilla to a cold Dumbarton Stadium for their biggest fixture of the season with a full Rangers support backing them in the stands.
David McCallum named five changes to his squad from the team that faced Civil Service Strollers a couple of weeks ago as Adam Devine, Leon King, Alex Lowry, Ross McCausland and Robbie Ure came into replace Kane Ritchie – Hosler, Lewis MacKinnon, Arron Lyall, Juan Alegria and James Graham.
That meant it was a back four of Adam Devine, Kyle McClelland, Leon King and Robbie Fraser with Jay Hogarth behind them in goals.
Charlie Lindsay, Murray Miller and Cole McKinnon were in the midfield with Alex Lowry, Ross McCausland and Robbie Ure up front for the Light Blues.
The intensity started high from the first blow of the referee’s whistle, with both teams pushing into their final thirds seeking the opening goal. Sevilla sent a dangerous cross into the Rangers box early on, but Jay Hogarth showed good hands to defuse any threats.
Rangers were driving forward from this, Alex Lowry made a fantastic run from the halfway line to dance between a number of Sevilla players, he switched the ball to an on running Ross McCausland down the right side. The youngster took a superb first touch and then advanced towards the Sevilla box, he cut a threatening ball towards the goal, but Flores Lopez made a diving effort to prevent any danger.
Shortly after, Lowry nearly found the back of the net in the first ten minutes of the match; Cole McKinnon sent the ball into the Sevilla box to link up with the Young Ger, but a defender managed to block his opportunity and diverted the ball wide of the post.
The momentum built from this; the Light Blues continued to battle their way into the visitor’s half at a ferocious pace to find the first goal. McCausland made another effective run down the wing to deliver a curling ball to connect with Charlie Lindsay in the box. The youngster managed to header the ball towards the goal, but the keeper safely found it.
A few minutes later, Rangers were on the counter-attack – McCausland was again the driving force into the visitor’s half. He managed to pick out Lowry and sent a powerful cross to link up with him on the opposite side of the pitch. The Light Blue found a pocket of space to push forward, but his shot was blocked.
Sevilla found a burst of energy and were able to break into a congested Rangers box, Carlos Alvarez picked the ball up on the edge of the 18-yard line and was able to weave between the backline. After finding some space, he took a powerful low shot, but Hogarth stood firm to block the opportunity and clear the danger.
The visitors were on the attack again, Fernandez Talaveron crossed a dangerous looking ball into the congested Rangers box. After a scramble to get a foot to the ball, it fell to Fernandez Gomez at the back post who took a forceful shot towards goal, but Hogarth made an incredible block to deny Sevilla the opener.
Alvarez nearly broke the deadlock for his side just before the end of the first half, the youngster pulled off a remarkable run through a number of blue shirts towards the Rangers goal line, but the ball was intercepted and immediately cleared.
Both teams carried their momentum into the second half, but it was Sevilla that broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Hogarth made an initial diving save to send the ball wide, but Alvarez managed to pick up the deflection and send it into the back of the net.
The two sides continued to battle it out all over the pitch as the Gers looked to find an equalising goal. Sevilla were driving for a second, but the backline defended well with Hogarth pulling off crucial saves to keep the deficit at one.
The Young Gers kept pressurising the Sevilla final third, but the visiting side did well to break down any danger in the box.
Less than ten minutes before the final whistle, McCallum’s side were on the brink of finding the equaliser. Lowry and Arron Lyall created effective build-up play to work their way towards Lopez in goal, Weston then cut it across the face of goal to meet Rory Wilson, in the box. The youngster managed to get a foot to the ball, but it was deflected away.
Moments after this, the Gers were again on the verge of netting the equalising goal. The Light Blues carried the ball into the tight Sevilla box, and it fell to Lowry, he sent a powerful effort towards the goal, but it was just over the crossbar.
RANGERS: Hogarth, Devine, McClelland, King, Fraser, Lindsay (Weston, 52), Miller, McKinnon, Lowry, McCausland (Lyall, 71), Ure (Wilson,80)
SUBS: Budinauckas, Allen, Yfeko, Allan.
SEVILLA: Flores Lopez, Mancheno Vagras, Martinez Macias, Benavides Fuentes, Salas Valiente, Exposito Jimenez, Zarzana (Guzman Alonso, 89), Juanlu (Agilera Barroso, 85), Fernandez Gomez, Alvarez, Fernandez Talaveron.
SUBS: Gonzalez Romero, Riviera Cruz, Salguero, Bueno Sebastian, Gonzalez Macho.
REFEREE: Allard Lindhout
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Rogier Honig and Patrick Inia
FOURTH OFFICIAL: David Dickinson