A double from Robbie Ure, and goals from Alex Lowry, Tony Weston, Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Cole McKinnon gives the squad another three points in the league campaign as they finish the first half of the season.
The Young Gers travelled to Innerleithen this afternoon as they faced Grant Sandison’s side in the league campaign.
Six changes were made for today’s starting XI with Connor Allan stepping into the backline to replace Kyle McClelland.
Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Leon King and Robbie Fraser were alongside him, with Jay Hogarth behind them in goals.
Murray Miller, Tony Weston, Cole McKinnon were in the midfield with Robbie Ure, Alex Lowry and Arron Lyall up front.
The Gers started their final game of 2021 with clear intent and hunger to collect another three points in the Lowland League.
Within two minutes, Rangers had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead against the home side. Robbie Ure advanced forward towards the goal after dancing around a couple of defenders in the backline.
He was able to maintain possession within a congested box before picking out Leon King on the 18-yard line, the youngster took a powerful low strike, but it fell just wide of the target.
The early spark to see the back of the net continued throughout the team, and they fell into a good rhythm to create more opportunities for the opening goal. Soon after, Robbie Fraser picked up a deflected ball on the edge of the box. The Light Blue made an excellent run before delivering a shot flying towards goal, but it was just a few inches above the crossbar.
The squad continued to dominate in possession and further pressured the Vale backline, but the home side’s defence tried to remain defiant. It wasn’t long before the Young Gers delivered the opening goal, however.
At the half an hour mark, it was Alex Lowry who scored for McCallum’s side. The youngster picked the ball up on the edge of the box after a cut back from Arron Lyall, he managed to get some power behind it and sent it into the bottom left corner to put the Gers in the lead.
The young Gers were quickly on the lookout for their second of the afternoon, Lyall found some space with the ball within the box and managed to get a shot away, but it was sent wide of the back post. Shortly after, the youngster found the deflected ball at his feet and took another chance to hit the back of the net, however, it was just off target and sent for a goal kick.
Heading into the second half, the Gers continued to build momentum to gain a comfortable lead. Lowry and Fraser linked up well to push their way into the backline, Lowry switched the ball back to an on running Fraser down the left side who delivered a threatening ball into the box, but it was safely cleared by a defender.
In the 55th minute, Ure doubled the lead for the Young Gers after a superb build-up play from him and Lowry. Lowry switched the ball to the youngster at the front post, he was able to find a small pocket of space before sending the ball past Chris Peden.
Less than a minute later, Rangers were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal after Fraser was brought down. Lowry stood up to take a shot and sent a fantastic shot towards goal, but it rattled off of the crossbar.
Ure gained his second of the afternoon to put the Gers ahead by three. The young Ger collected the ball within the box and managed to get a shot on target to send it past the keeper.
Tony Weston netted the fourth for McCallum’s side in the 66th minute after receiving the ball on the edge of the Vale of Leithen box, he hit the ball with the outside of his foot towards the back post into the bottom corner.
Rangers carried their momentum into the latter stages of the game with ongoing sight for the back of the net. Kane Ritchie-Hosler found the ball within a busy Vale of Leithen box and was able to calmly slot it past Peden.
Less than 10 minutes later, Cole McKinnon scored the sixth and final goal for the Young Gers. McKinnon collected the ball 40 yards from goal and sent it flying on the first touch straight into the top left-hand corner of the goal.
The Light Blues kept their desire for a goal going and nearly found the seventh for the squad with Tyler Pasnik hitting the crossbar from an overhead kick. McKinnon delivered a dangerous ball into the box to meet the youngster, he managed to find a bit of space before his super effort, but it was just off target and deflected off the crossbar.
RANGERS: Hogarth, Ritchie-Hosler, Fraser, Allan, King, Miller (Strachan, 66), Weston, (Pasnik, 78) McKinnon, Ure, Lowry, Lyall, (Dunlop, 78).
UNUSED SUBS: Budinauckas, McInally.
VALE OF LEITHEN: Peden, Anderson, McFarlane, Ferguson, Mackay, Robertson, Joyce, Deya, Deya, El Yamani (Cormack, 46), Grahame, (Crolla, 66).
UNUSED SUBS: Brady.