It was an impressive first half performance from David McCallum’s side after Alex Lowry, Robbie Fraser, and Robbie Ure gave the young Gers a positive three-goal lead, but Ricky Waddell’s side fought back in the second half to close the deficit and take a point.
It was a gloriously sunny afternoon in Motherwell as the youngsters returned to league action following their positive win on Wednesday night against Spartans, where they progressed to the next round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.
From the team that started midweek, the B team boss made six changes to his starting eleven as they looked to carry their momentum into this afternoon’s challenge.
Kelsey Ewen made his first league start as he joined Robbie Fraser, Connor Allan, and Adam Devine in the backline, with Lewis Budinauckas behind them in goals.
Charlie McCann was joined in midfield by Mackenzie Strachan and Charlie Lindsay, with Alex Lowry and Ross McCausland supporting Robbie Ure up front.
With Jacob Pazikas, Jack Harkness, Arron Lyall, Connor Young, James Graham and Zak Lovelace all available to McCallum on the bench.
Rangers looked bright in the opening five minutes as Ure was close to getting an early shot away within the Braves box, but he was blocked by a defender.
The youngsters continued to pile early pressure in the final third area to break closer to the goal, McCausland presented some danger down the right side to deliver an effort to Ure at the back post, but the striker was just unable to connect with his cross.
McCausland came close again to opening the scoring after he danced past multiple defenders down the left side of the box, he whipped in a shot towards Hendry in goals, but it fell just inches past the post.
Braves continued to defend well as the Gers kept pace within their half, but the backline successfully intercepted dangerous opportunities created by McCallum’s squad.
On the 20 minute-mark, Rangers were awarded a penalty after Ure was brought down in the Braves box. The youngster made a phenomenal run down the left flank to weave his way towards the goal, he cut the ball to McCann in the box, but the midfielder was unable to get a good connection with his effort.
Ure was then able to get onto the stray touch, but Hendry brought him down in the box before he got a shot away. Lowry then stood up to execute the spot kick and calmly slotted it past the keeper to give his side the early advantage.
Braves began to threaten the Rangers backline as they looked to close the gap, McDowell got a header towards the goal in the Rangers box, but it drifted over the crossbar.
15 minutes before the end of the first half, the Light Blues looked quickly to gain another goal before the break, and it was Fraser who was on hand to double his side’s lead.
The captain was threaded a superb ball from Lowry within the Braves' half and sent in a powerful effort from the edge of the box to sail past Hendry.
In the final minutes of the first half, the Gers looked eager to add to their lead once more. Ure continued to pressurise the backline as he looked hungry to see the back of the net, he managed to collect the ball at the back post and slotted a close-range effort past Hendry to give his side a three-goal lead at the end of the first 45.
McCallum made one change as the squad returned for the second half, with Connor Young who replaced Ure in the attacking front three.
The youngster made an immediate impact on the match as he nearly netted the fourth for the Light Blues, but Hendry pulled a sensational save to deny Young the goal.
Braves carried pace following this, as they looked to close the deficit in the second half. The early pressure from the home side paid off as they found their first of the afternoon after Jamie Watson found some space to tap the ball in at the back post past Budinauckas.
In the final 20 minutes of the match, Marc Kelly netted the second for the Braves to close the gap by one. The home side created dangerous build-up play to work their way towards Budinauckas in goals, and Kelly was able to send another past the Light Blues.
Only a few minutes later, Braves found the third and equalising goal after Scott Cusick broke past the defensive backline and sent another past the Rangers keeper.
In the final touches of the match, each side battled it across the pitch with the eyes to find the winning goal. Rangers did well to push to the Braves box, but the backline remained firm to block any threats. Waddell’s side also pressurised the Gers’ goal, but Budinauckas made some important saves to deny and end the score 3-3 in Motherwell.
RANGERS: Budinauckas, Devine, Fraser, Allan, K. Ewen, Strachan, McCann, Lindsay (Lovelace, 78), Lowry (Graham, 57), McCausland (Lyall, 86), Ure (Young, 46).
SUBS: Pazikas, Harkness, McInally.
CALEDONIAN BRAVES: Hendry, Forrester, Walker, McDowall, Duncan, Brown, Butterworth, Lindsay, Kelly, Cusick, Breadner.
SUBS: Stewart, Collins, Long, McNeil, Watson, Thackery.
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