RANGERS B Team defeated Berwick Rangers at Dumbarton this afternoon following a dominating performance from the youngsters.
A goal from a penalty by Tony Weston saw the young Gers collect three today for a 1-0 victory.
Before the game, both teams observed a minute’s silence paying their respects to former Rangers and Scotland manager, Walter Smith, who sadly passed away earlier this week at the age of 73.
McCallum made three changes for today’s fixture with a back four of Adam Devine, Robbie Fraser, Cole McKinnon and Lewis MacKinnon and Lewis Budinauckas in goals. Murray Miller, Arron Lyall and Kane Ritchie-Hosler were in midfield, with Juan Alegria, Charlie McCann and Ross McCausland up front for the young Gers.
Rangers started with purpose in the opening minutes of the game, holding most of the possession to drive frequently into the Berwick penalty area.
In the third minute, Kane Ritchie-Hosler manoeuvred himself comfortably into the Berwick box to cut the ball back inside to Juan Alegria at the front post. However, a defender blocked the resultant shot.
Minutes later, Ross McCausland was involved in some great build up play to move into the opposition’s final third. The youngster danced between the Berwick defence and switched the ball to Arron Lyall before Berwick were able to break the attack down.
Adam Devine nearly found the opener shortly after when he picked up the ball close to the halfway line, running through the backline to cut across to the edge of the box to have a shot. The defender was able to get a low shot away, but it fell just wide of the post. In the 16th minute, Berwick had an opportunity for goal. Aidan Denholm and Calum Smith linked up well and into the Rangers box from the right wing, but Robbie Fraser did well to intercept and clear any danger.
In the 23rd minute, Rangers were awarded a free kick a few yards from the edge of the box after Jamie Piper brought down Charlie McCann. McCann stood up to take the shot and sent the ball flying towards the top left-hand corner, but Andrew McNeil pulled off a sensational save to deny the young Gers their opener.
The Gers continued to push into the Berwick final third, creating threatening opportunities in search of the opener. The Light Blues were awarded another free kick within the opposition’s half, after Lyall was brought down by Piper. McCann stood up to make the delivery, but it fell just wide of any blue shirts and went out for a goal kick.
Shortly after, the visitors were awarded a free kick just out with the edge of the box. Scott Dow’s delivery was sent towards the back post and a red shirt, but Fraser made another important block.
Just before half time, the youngsters delivered some wonderful build up play to create their best opportunity on goal. Lyall drove down the edge of a congested box towards the front post and cut the ball back and across the box to McCann who met it with a powerful strike, but McNeil got a hand to deny him the first goal.
The young Gers continued their high intensity and momentum heading into the second half, holding possession to push into the Berwick box.
Lewis MacKinnon nearly saw the back of the net ten minutes into the second half. Fraser delivered a dangerous corner into the box, and it met the head of MacKinnon at the back post, but McNeil was able to save his shot.
Fraser made a dangerous cross across the face of the Berwick goal from the left wing, but Juan Alegria was just unable to connect with the ball.
McCallum’s side continued to pile the pressure on within the Berwick final third to strain the backline.
Charlie Lindsay made an immediate impact after coming on from the bench, he took a powerful strike from outside the busy box, but his shot was inches wide of the post.
Rangers were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute after Tony Weston was brought down within the Berwick box. The youngster stood up to the penalty spot to take the shot and calmly slotted it into the back of the net sending McNeil in the other direction.
Berwick were sent down to 10 men after Grant Nelson was given an immediate red from fouling Robbie Ure just outside the edge of the box. McCann stood firmly to take the shot but sent it over the crossbar.
RANGERS: Budinauckas, Devine, Fraser, McKinnon, MacKinnon, Miller (Lindsay, 74), Lyall (Ure, 60), Ricthie-Hosler, Alegria (Weston, 60), McCann and McCausland.
UNUSED SUBS: Cervantes, Ewen, Strachan, Allan.
BERWICK RANGERS: McNeil, Nelson, Murray Ferguson, Cook (Scott Dow, 9), Piper, Sinclair, Taylor, Denholm, Smith, Stewart, McGrath (Heeps, 63).
UNUSED SUBS: Swinton, Ward, Allan, Baker.
REFEREE: Alan Newlands
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Yaser Rasouk and James McCluskey.
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