RANGERS U18s progressed to the next round of the Scottish Youth Cup after a positive performance and 3-0 victory against Stirling Albion.
An early first half goal from Paul Nsio provided the young Gers the advantage at the half time break. Tyler Pasnik’s spot kick execution and another from Nsio in the second 45 gave the Light Blues a comfortable win at Forthank Stadium in their cup campaign.
Cameron Campbell gave Sam Kane the nod to take his position between the posts with a defensive backline of Zak McKay, Cameron Scott, Kristian Webster and Greig Allen in front of him.
In the midfield, Kerr Robertson was joined by Tyler Pasnik and Christian Mulindwa, with Cameron Cooper and Paul Nsio supporting Lancelot Pollard up front.
The young Gers started briskly straight from the referee’s first whistle as they looked eager to carry the momentum and create an early advantage.
Allen made a positive run in the opening minutes of the match to push past the host’s backline and into the final third, but the ball was intercepted before he could deliver a cross into the box.
Less than a minute later and with six minutes on the clock, Nsio opened the scoring at Forthbank to give the Light Blues an important early lead.
Zak McKay whipped in a dangerous-looking cross from the corner flag to meet Allen at the back post, the Ger headed the ball back in front of the posts where Nsio fired a paced header between the arms of Aaron Wilson.
Rangers continued to build on their positive start and looked hungry to add to their early goal quickly.
McKay and Pasnik created some lovely passages of play to break down the Stirling Albion midfield. The two weaved their way through the middle of the park to push into the box before Pasnik switched to Cameron Cooper, the youngster then sent a powerful low strike across the ground and face of the goal, but it agonisingly drifted wide of the back post.
At the other end, the hosts did cause Sam Kane some issues between the posts with their attacking front three pushing forward, but Allen was alert to intercept their threats.
Campbell’s side remained composed on the ball following this and patiently worked their way deeper into the opposition’s final third.
Pasnik showed impressive physicality to evade the Stirling midfielders and threaded a superb ball through a narrow space to link up with an advancing Nsio. The youngster looked to dance around the backline after his first touch, but he was blocked by a defender with the ball immediately cleared by a red shirt.
In the final 15 minutes of the first half, Stirling Albion engineered their best opportunity of the match. After an initial block from Kane, the ball fell to the feet of Lachie Hunter who looked to get a quick shot away, but Webster reacted quickly to the danger to block the effort.
As the two side’s returned for the second half, Campbell brought on Jack Wylie and Findlay Curtis to the pitch to freshen up his squad. Stirling Albion carried the early threat in the opening minutes of the second 45 with Lewis Gray being a thorn amongst the Rangers backline.
However, after nine minutes had elapsed in the second half, Rangers secured their second of the evening.
After Cooper was brought down in the Stirling Albion box, the referee quickly pointed to the penalty spot in favour of the visitors. With a calm demeanour, Pasnik stepped up to execute the spot kick and he slotted it past the keeper to give his side a deserved two-goal advantage.
Campbell’s squad continued to show a strong desire to add to their tally again as their endeavours continued deep into the second half.
Pasnik and Willox linked up well to weave their way down the left flank before Willox curled in a cross to meet Findlay Curtis patiently waiting at the back post who steered a header towards the goal, but Wilson made an acrobatic save to deny Rangers another.
In the final remaining minutes of the match, Nsio sent the ball into the back of the net for the second time of the night.
The youngster collected the ball on the edge of the opposition’s box after an initial deflection and whipped in a curling effort to rattle the back of the and send his side into the next round of the campaign.
RANGERS: Sam Kane, Zak McKay, Cameron Scott (Findlay Curtis, 46), Kristian Webster, Greig Allen, Kerr Robertson, Tyler Pasnik, Christian Mulindwa (Jack Wylie, 46), Cameron Cooper (Kieron Willox, 69), Paul Nsio, Lancelot Pollard (Jack Roberts, 61).
UNUSED SUBS: Alfie Halliwell, Niall Rogerson, Leyton Grant.
STIRLING ALBION: Aaron Wilson, Luca Scacchil, Luke Watkins, Ross McGhee, Harvey Petrie, Reece Harkness, Frazer Glen, Jacob Moynes (Stefan Jesionek, 74), Lewis Gray, Lachie Hunter, Sam Murray (Mark Stewart, 74).
UNUSED SUBS: Kieran Northfield, Calum Gemmell, Stevie Graham, Finlay Mason.