A late second half goal from Alex Lowry gave the Light Blues an important win as McCallum’s side move into the next round of the tournament where they will face Dumbarton.
The young Gers travelled to sunny Edinburgh tonight for their knock-out match against Dougie Samuel’s side where they had strong ambitions to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Adam Devine, Leon King, Lewis MacKinnon and Mateusz Zukowski were the defensive backline with Lewis Budinauckas behind them in goals.
Charlie McCann was joined in midfield by Stephen Kelly and Alex Lowry, with Zak Lovelace and Ross McCausland supporting Robbie Ure up front.
The Light Blues started the cup tie with momentum and desire to stamp their authority on the match.
Ure and Lovelace looked determined and dangerous immediately as they tried to threaten and push closer to Meek in goals and pressurise the home side’s defending backline.
The young Gers continued to settle into the match in the opening stages and created some superb build-up play to drive towards the Spartans box.
On the 10 minute mark, Lovelace threaded a sensational through ball to an on-running Ure into the Spartans box. The striker was able to get a first touch, but Herd made a crucial interception to defuse the danger.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic though, as Samuel’s side began to drive towards the Rangers goal. Gregor Woods and Sean Brown linked up to weave their way into the Gers’ box, but King did well to intercept the ball before Brown could get a shot away.
McCallum’s squad continued to threaten with both Zukowski and Kelly with chances on goal, but Spartans remained strong to block any efforts sent towards the net.
McCasuland also came close to breaking the deadlock on 20 minutes after he linked up well with Ure on the edge of the box, but his strike drifted over the crossbar.
The Light Blues were eager to maintain this momentum and gain the advantage before the end of the first half, and MacKinnon managed to get a header away on goal after a corner delivery, but Meek was on hand to collect his effort.
The Edinburgh side also looked hungry to see the ball in the back of the net as they threatened the Rangers final third, but the defence remained firm to keep the score line level as both teams headed into the half time break.
As the squad headed into the second half, Rangers immediately began with pace to create early opportunities in the Spartans box and gain the advantage.
However, it was Samuel’s side that nearly secured the opening goal after Cammy Russell sent a fine effort from outside the Rangers box, but it rattled off the crossbar.
Both sides continued to battle it across the pitch but it was Lowry who sent in an excellent corner kick to connect with Zukowski at the front post, but his header agonisingly floated over the net.
Shortly after, Lowry sent in another dangerous strike towards the Spartans goal after Rangers were awarded a free kick a few yards from the edge of the box. The young Ger stood up to execute the shot, but Meek was able to safely collect his effort.
The Gers carried that attacking threat into the final stages of the match, and Lowry was on hand to supply the winning goal to give his side the upper hand in the latter stages of the game.
After Lovelace was brought down on a challenge, Lowry stood up to take a free-kick several yards from outside the Spartans box. The youngster sent a ferocious strike to sail past Meek and into the top left corner of the net.
The home side reacted quickly as they looked to level the score line, but Budinauckas made some outstanding saves to keep his side in the lead before the referee blew the final whistle to send the young Gers into the next round of the cup.
RANGERS: Budinauckas, Devine, King, MacKinnon, Zukowski, McCann, Kelly (Lindsay, 77), Lowry, Lovelace, McCausland (Ritchie-Hosler, 59), Ure.
SUBS: Pazikas, Harkness, Allan, Fraser, K. Ewen, Graham, Young.
SPARTANS: Meek, Herd (Brown, 46), Allan, Burns, Tapping(Henderson,77), Armstrong (Maxwell, 68), Jones, McFarland (Whyte, 68), Brown (Dishington, 68), Woods, Russell.
SUBS: Inglis, Carswell.
ㅤ
ㅤ