RANGERS Under-19s picked up a crucial 2-0 victory against Hibernian away from home in the CAS Elite League this evening.
James Reid’s first-half strike got the scoring underway, and the side had to wait until three minutes from time to make absolutely sure of the victory as Alexander Smith stroked home inside the penalty area.
The triumph made it three games unbeaten to open the league campaign for the young Gers as they return to KDM Evolution Trophy action next midweek.
It was a much-changed and younger side for the side’s return to league action after last week’s KDM Evolution Trophy clash against Bonnyrigg Rose.
Hibs were first to threaten in the contest when a free-kick delivery from the left was met by Lewis McNeill but headed well off target.
Max Cameron then sprung the away side into action when he received a throw-in in space and fizzed wide from 25 yards out.
Rangers perhaps shaded the opening period, and they were given an opportunity to break the deadlock when Cameron was brought down inside the penalty area by Adam Buckley following a surging run.
Alexander Smith assumed spot-kick duties, but he was thwarted by the Hibs goalkeeper who guessed correctly down to his right.
A response was sought by the visitors when Cameron Fernie swivelled neatly inside the danger area, although his low effort didn’t truly threaten the Hibs goal.
A junking run inside from Smith then stung the palms of the goalkeeper when the midfielder let fly from 30 yards with plenty of pace in his effort.
Rangers’ superiority in the first half was rewarded ten minutes before the interval when the breakthrough was eventually found.
A floated free-kick from deep on the right-hand side sailed over a crowd of bodies to the far post where James Reid was on hand to convert in off the post.
The second half began with Rangers on the front foot and Daniel Owoyomi, making his first Under-19s start, only inches away from converting a cross from close-range.
A second goal certainly looked within Rangers’ sights as Calum Young cut inside and unleashed an effort which looked destined for the top corner before the intervention of the goalkeeper.
A sharp defence-splitting pass from Luca Rankin, wearing the captain’s armband this evening, released Fernie into space down the right, but his delivery was overhit in search of Owoyomi.
Another opportunity went begging for the away side when they pieced together a slick move, this time down the left, before Ben Hutton blazed over the crossbar from 25 yards out.
Cameron then exchanged passes with Smith midway inside the Hibs half, but after driving into space his subsequent effort flew over the top.
The crossbar was soon rattling when Smith skipped inside and unleashed a terrific effort.
And the midfielder was soon rewarded in the dying embers to seal all three points when the ball broke to him inside the penalty area after substitute Cody Mensing was initially denied.
RANGERS: S. Reid, Patton, J. Reid, Ramage, Young, Hutton, Rankin (Wark, 71), Fernie, Smith, Cameron, Owoyomi (Mensing, 80)
Subs not used: Millarvie, Owen, Kerr, Caldwell, Molloy
HIBERNIAN: McGurk, Buckley, Bunney (Purden, 45), Gillie, McNeill, Aghanya (Waldman, 76), Downie (Gallacher, 71), Burns, Jimenez, MacDonald, Halliday
Subs not used: Vautherin, Williams
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