In the first of three 30 minute periods Rangers had the first real chance of the period just before the halfway mark. Good work down the left wing by Craig White and Connor McGrandles saw the latter cut the ball back to the on rushing Charlie Telfer, who's powerfull shot was deflected wide.
Next chance came when Charlie Telfer released the Trialist No.7 on the right, he cut inside passed the defender and shot powerfully, but a bit too straight and the keeper saved comfortably. As the period drew to a close St. Johnstone failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to the Rangers trialist No.4 who's effort came back off the post. The last action of the period saw St. Johnstone's first real effort on goal, the centre-forward breaking clear down the right and getting a shot on target which was comfortably saved by Sam George.
1st Period:- Rangers 0 St.Johnstone 0
The visitors missed a great chance in the opening minutes of the second period, when their central midfield player broke through only to shoot wide of goal. St. Johnstone took the lead 13 minutes into the second period, a corner from the right was met at the near post by their N0.7 who's flick volley found the net.
It should really have been 2-0 7 minutes later when the Saints No.8 was through on the keerper but shot wide. Five minutes before the end of the period Rangers equalised. Darren Ramsey picked up the ball at the edge of the box, shrugged of the challenge of two defenders and shot home.
2nd Period :- Rangers 1 St. Johnstone 1
Straight from the kick-off in the third period only a great save from Liam Kelly kept Rangers level. Diving to his left to parry the St. Johnstone's No. 8 shot from the edge of the box. Next it was Saints keeper to perform heroics, diving to his right to save from Darren Lyons who had broken clear of the defence.
Now it was end to end stuff and a great tackle from Jack Baird denied St. Johnstone when it looked like their midfielder would get his shot away well inside the box. From the resultant corner Saints went back in front, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box, only to be met on the half volley by Saints N0.8 and his excellent strike evaded everyone and found the net.
Liam Kelly had picked up where he left of from the Newcastle game, this time denying the St. Johnstone centre when he was clean through. Just before the change round in the final period Rangers created a couple of chances. Michael Selfridge cut in from the left and shot for goal, the keeper diving to his left got his fingertips to the ball and it went narrowly passed for a corner. Then after good work on the right by Connor McGrandles and his cross was headed goalwards by Scott Ferguson which had the keeper stretching to tip the ball onto and over the bar.
Another two great saves from Liam Kelly kept Rangers in the game, The Saints centre slipped past the defender inside the box and his powerfull shot was parried by the keeper. The he denied the vistors substitue when clean through with another fine save.
The last action game in the closing seconds, Darren Ramsey shot from the edge of the box with the keeper diving to his left to concede a corner. From the corner the ball was headed narrowly over the bar and the ref blew for time.
Full-Time:-Rangers 1 St.Johnstone 2
In what was an excellent game and Saints probably deserved to edge it, but there were there were some good performances from Rangers, most notably Under 13's keeper Liam Kelly. It all part of the learning process and playing against a physically stronger side will hopefully help them progress in the future.
Rangers squad, who all played at least half the game was.
1. Sam George 2. Dylan Dykes 3. Craig White 4. Trialist 5. Mark Williams 6. Charlie Telfer 7. Trialist 8. Lewis Spence 9. Gary Oliver 10. Darren Lyons 11. Connor McGrandles 12. Jack Baird 14. Michael Selfridge 15. Lewis Martin 16. Scott Ferguson 18. Darren Ramsey 21. Liam Kelly
Many thanks for the report to Elfideldo - for more info on Rangers youth set-up read - http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/