RANGERS Under-18’s booked their place into the fourth round of the Scottish Youth Cup with a commanding 9-0 win over Darvel at the Training Centre this evening.
A first half Zebedee Lawson hat-trick, as well as goals from Chris Condy and an Alexander Smith free kick saw the hosts go in at the break five goals to the good.
Further goals from Condy, a Luca Rankin double off the bench and finish from full-back Ashton Scally saw the young Gers progress where they will target a deep run in the competition as they go in search of reclaiming the trophy this season.
The Gers, led by assistant coach Liam Ross on the night due to Stevie Smith’s recent involvement with the men’s first-team, looked to overcome the Ayrshire side and book their place in the fourth round of the competition they last won in May 2024.
Rangers looked to assert their early dominance from the off. Inside a minute, summer arrival from Brighton Zebedee Lawson looked lively as he cut in from the right flank to combine with frontman Chris Condy, but his left footed shot was kept out by Blair Samson in the Darvel goal.
A positive and direct run from winger Max Cameron created the best opening for the hosts seven minutes in. Skipping by several players on the left side he got to touchline and cut the ball back, it broke for Condy but his effort was closed down well by the shot stopper between the posts.
The Ayrshire visitors were holding their own in the early exchanges but Ross’ men looked likely every time they went forward. Cameron was freed by Crilly on the flank before the break of the ball fell to Condy, his lay off teed up midfielder Cameron Fernie whose left footed effort had to be turned away well by the goalkeeper.
Darvel has their first sight of goal and it came via a corner kick delivery. Miller Davidson’s cross from the left side had Rydnn McGuire troubled momentarily before he managed to claw it away from the danger and allow Rangers to clear.
On the quarter-hour mark however, it was Rangers who took the lead from after they given the opportunity from the penalty spot. Working the ball down the left, Scally managed to skip past Lucas McPartland who brought him down inside the box. Lawson stepped up and produced a Panenka chip down the middle to wrong foot the goalkeeper and put Rangers ahead in the tie.
Just a minute after getting back underway, the young Gers doubled their lead. A poor kick out from Samson was pounced upon initially by Condy, his chipped effort was saved before Lawson was first to react to the rebound and curl the ball beyond the goalkeeper who was well out of his goal to grab his and his team’s second of the evening.
The winger was then denied a quick fire hat-trick as Rangers really turned their screw after going ahead. Getting the ball from full-back Ben Hutton he worked his way into the box but his left footed effort was well turned from the post by Samson to keep the score at two.
Soon after it was three as the confidence in the Rangers ranks was growing. Some impressive work from Max Cameron saw his create a chance for Condy with a dangerous ball across the box, and the striker made no mistake with a cushioned finish on his left side into the top corner despite Samson’s best attempts to keep it out.
A moment of sheer quality then followed with 10 minutes until the interval with an exquisite free kick from Alexander Smith. Right side of the box he curled one into the far corner to make it four on the night with Rangers in free flowing mood after finding the breakthrough.
There was still time for a fifth on the brink of half time and it was Lawson who claimed the match ball with an impressive finish on the half volley. Scally was well advanced down the left and his delivery found the winger on the far side; he caught it brilliantly to dispatch the ball into the far corner to give the Gers a five goal advantage at the break.
After starting the second half in similar fashion and creating several openings. Condy was on hand to grab his second of the night and Rangers’ sixth. Scally, who was constantly involved down the left, picked out the striker in the box who made no mistake with the volley to the goalkeeper little chance as it flew into the bottom corner.
The tricky Cameron’s feet were too quick in the box as Rangers were awarded a second penalty of the evening. The winger stood up to take it himself but saw his effort from 12 yards saved as Samson brilliantly denied the youngster from making it seven.
The hosts continued to dominate and after a period of sustained pressure they did make it seven. Having been on the pitch just a matter of seconds, substitute Coben Fergusson moved it on to fellow sub Luca Rankin. The midfielder opened up his body and dispatched the ball into the far corner to add to the Rangers lead with 20 minutes to play.
After adding to the evening’s tally Rankin was again on hand to make it eight with what was the pick of the bunch. 25 yards from goal he superbly opened up his body and whipped the ball into the top right corner off the crossbar to grab his second off the bench with an expertly taken strike.
Exactly 10 minutes to go on the night the impressive Scally at full-back got himself on the scoresheet. A quick corner was taken by Condy before it was worked across to the defender, who made no mistake in finishing it off into the far corner.
Ross’ youngsters probed for more towards the end with chances relentless as they came away with the comfortable victory, as they now await their fourth round opponents in a competition they’ll be eager to achieve success in this campaign.
RANGERS: McGuire, Hutton (Caldwell, 57), Scally, Hynd, Reid (Owen, 57), Fernie, Lawson (Glasgow, 51), Crilly, Condy, Smith (Rankin, 51), Cameron (Fergusson, 70)
SUBS: Millarvie, Young
DARVEL: Samson, Spence (McCann, 51), McTaggart (Adamson, 51), Lyons, Fergusson, Raymond (Kennedy, 60), Davidson (Calder, 51), Dudgeon, McFadzean (McCallum, 79), Sneddon, McPartland,
SUBS: Paterson
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