Thursday 1st December 2005 – SFA Youth Cup 3rd Round
The Young ‘Gers found themselves 2 goals down after only 10 minutes as a buoyant Kilmarnock side threatened to run amok against the rusty Rangers side who hadn’t played a competitive match since the away win at Dundee United a month ago.
Both goals came from failing to clear cross balls into the box as Reidford found himself helpless as both Kilmarnock players were able to shoot home from close range on both occasions in the 4th and 10th minutes.
Rangers spent much of the first half struggling to find a way back into the game and the lack of match practise showed as countless passes went astray.
On the 34th minute Dany N’Guessan was fouled out on the left wing, some 30 yards out, and from the resultant free kick Stevie Lennon put in a high curling cross to the far post. The ball came in too high for the forwards to reach but the Killie ‘keeper was also caught out as the ball floated into the corner of the net direct from Lennons cross. The goal came gave Rangers the lifeline they needed before the break and put them back in with a shout.
The second half swung from end to end as Rangers went in search of a equaliser and Kilmarnock hit on the break looking for a third goal to wrap the match up
It was Stevie Lennon however who shot Rangers level 20 minutes from the end as he ran past the Kilmarnock midfield and his low drive from 25 yards caught out the Kilmarnock ‘keeper again as the ball went into the net to his right hand side after he thought it was going wide.
This signalled the best period in the match as both sides went in search of a winner and 6 minutes later it was Andrew Shinney who shot home to cap another good performance from the Scotland Under 17 internationalist.
As Kilmarnock pushed forward to take try to take the match to extra time their number 8, who scored their second goal, broke through in the box and as he rounded Reidford the ‘Gers keeper caught him but the Killie lad stayed on his feet until the ball went out of play before going down. The referee deemed this to be diving and booked him, however as he had just previously been booked for needlessly kicking the ball away at a free kick he was then shown a red card and the Ayrshire side were now down to 10 men.
To their credit that didn’t stop them putting Rangers on the back foot as they continued to press throughout the dying minutes and as the match ebbed into injury time Killie struck to the bar, much to the relief of the stranded Reidford.That was to be the last chance for the Ayrshire lads as Rangers held on for their dramatic victory and a fourth round tie away to Dundee United.
Rangers – Reidford, McLachlan, Ure (Perry), Lowing, Smith, Emslie, Agnew (Murphy), Lennon, N’Guessan, Shinney, Woods.
* Unusually for Broadwood Stadium there were no team sheets available at the match in order to get the Kilmarnock line up and players names.