Rangers Under 19’s got back on track following the previous weeks 1-1 draw with Motherwell when they won a tricky tie at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Whilst the Light Blues had the vast majority of the play, particularly in the first half, it took a while to break down the resolute Highlanders defence.
Rangers were first to look like scoring after a quarter of an hour when Stevie Lennon shot just wide and later Dany N’Guessan tried for goal but shot wildly on two occasions just minutes apart.
It was Inverness who came closest against the run of play on 35 minutes when Alex Sutherland shot from 25 yards and the ball struck the junction of post and bar to give Rangers a fright.
Donald then collected a slack ball just outside the 18 yard box but his shot went wide as the Highlanders threatened to sneak a goal before half time. John Johnston responded by breaking into the box but his angled shot went over and end the half goalless.
It took 12 minutes into the second half for Rangers to finally get the breakthrough when a low Paul Emslie cross was collected on the 18 yard line by Johnston who composed himself quickly as he found himself in space and with the goal directly in front of him shot past Smith who dived to his left but couldn’t prevent Rangers from taking the lead.
Paul Emslie then produced the miss of the season when he ran onto a through ball played into the box, rounded the keeper and with the goalmouth gaping proceeded to put his tap-in wide.
Again Caley Thistle fought their way back into the match, mainly through the hard working Sutherland and Donald, and it was Donald who forced Reidford into a save to keep the Light Blues in front. From the resultant corner Caley Thistle scorned their chances as the ball finally came out the Rangers area. McCallister then missed with a header which looked a good chance to equalise on 70 minutes.
It was Donald who was to miss again when he collect a poor ball from Frizzell and tried to chip Reidford but the ‘Gers ‘keeper managed to get his fingertips to it to keep Rangers ahead as Inverness pressed for the elusive equaliser.
On 82 minutes the match was to be over as a contest when Alan Lowing made another good run down the right and his low cross into the box saw Caley Thistle defender Neil Gibb stretch his leg out as he ran back towards the goal and slide the ball home to put the ‘Gers two up. With the Inverness side now deflated Stevie Lennon looked to have made it three but his shot was cleared off the line 2 minutes later, that was to be the final action as the match drew to a close and Rangers continued their push back up the table.
RANGERS; Reidford, Lowing, Ure, Frizzell, Smith, Emslie, Lennon, Johnstone, Lennon, N’Guessan (Kinniburgh 45), McLachlan (McMillan 45), Woods (Agnew 80).
Unused subs; Gallacher, Murphy
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE; Smith, Rutherford, Taylor, Gibb, Kerr, Watson, Sutherland, McCallister, Donald, Sone, Clark