U20 League: Aberdeen 1-2 Rangers

[Super_Ally 0]

We won 2-1. Late winner

 

Good to hear.

[Zappa 0]

Tuesday, 11 February 2014 15:45

U20: Aberdeen 1-2 Rangers

Written by Andrew Dickson

 

DYLAN DYKES scored a dramatic late winner for Rangers as they dug out a vital 2-1 win against Aberdeen in the SPFL Under-20 League.

 

The midfielder got the slightest of touches on a Charlie Telfer attempt four minutes from full-time and that was enough to help it over the line.

 

That meant Gers sneaked a victory after Jamie Burrows’ opener had been cancelled out by Declan McManus.

 

In turn, they’ve won nine games in a row dating back to the end of November and they’re unbeaten in 14 matches.

 

With so much momentum at present, they’re still top of the table and clearly in no mood to relinquish their position without a fight.

 

Gers made one change to the side which comfortably beat St Mirren last week and it was an enforced one because of injury.

 

Andy Murdoch, so effective recently in a central midfield triangle with Telfer and Robbie Crawford, missed out after hurting his ankle in training yesterday.

 

That meant Dykes took his place in the engine room as the visitors looked to continue their excellent sequence of results.

 

Aberdeen have been indifferent this season and although they’ve eight wins to their credit – including one against the Light Blues in September – they’ve also lost seven times.

 

Regardless of that, they started far brighter and Rangers, sluggish after a four-hour bus journey north, were slow out the traps.

 

Yet while the Dons had plenty of early pressure, Nicky Low’s long-range drive was their only real effort of note in the early stages.

 

The hosts did look far more composed, however, and Marcus Campanile’s firm strike was blocked too when it might have been going in.

 

Durie’s team was struggling to keep possession and that was irritating the coach as he watched from the sidelines.

 

He sought a response from his team and nearly got it when a defensive slip allowed Calum Gallagher in on goal but home keeper Danny Rogers got to the ball just ahead of him.

 

Although that came to nothing, the Ibrox outfit was easing itself into the contest at last and Darren Ramsay came close with a well-hit 25-yard effort.

 

But having scored in his previous two outings against Saints and Hibernian, he was denied this time as Rogers got across his goal well to tip away.

 

The Light Blues were having their best spell of the match yet and Luca Gasparotto connected with a Ramsay corner but was off target with a glancing header.

 

Durie’s side was having to be patient with its build-up play but was creating more openings, with Ramsay again drilling towards goal but guiding the ball a couple of yards wide.

 

Moments later, Telfer’s smart turn and burst into the box saw him cut back only for his good work to go unrewarded as nobody could get on the end of it.

 

Midfielder Telfer was making a good impression as he so often does and he took command in the centre circle to create a chance for himself out of nothing.

 

Winning possession, he showed quick feet to run clear of two opponents and try his luck from the edge of the area but his attempt drifted wide.

 

With half-time approaching, the sides exchanged opportunities as Craig Murray shot across goal and wide for Aberdeen then Crawford was blocked at the other end immediately after.

 

Rangers clearly felt they could take an advantage into the break with them but Crawford was denied then Kyle McAusland headed past and it remained 0-0.

 

The away side made a breakthrough five minutes into the second half though and it was richly deserved for the way the team finished the first period.

 

Burrows was the scorer as he made up for a number of misses in recent weeks with a well-taken strike as he was played in on goal.

 

The Jersey-raised forward still had a lot to do when he took possession and wasn’t helped by a heavy first touch which took the ball towards Rogers.

 

But Burrows recovered well to keep control and rounded the keeper before poking into the net before anyone could tackle him.

 

Aberdeen replied well, with Scott Gallacher having to react well to keep out Cammy Smith’s near-post attempt.

 

Gers hit back and both Telfer and Ramsay had shots stopped on the line before McAusland hit the target at a corner but again saw his shot held.

 

Going in front did a lot for their confidence and they were on the hunt for a second, with Ramsay’s clipped cross only just cleared before Gallagher could get on the end of it.

 

But rather than go two up, the Light Blues were pegged back midway through the second half as McManus scored.

 

He nodded in on the line after a deep cross appeared to be going out but was kept in and diverted back into the mix.

 

It was the first goal Rangers had lost in 2014 after four clean sheets in a row and having parity restored was a big setback.

 

But if this side has shown one thing in recent months it’s that it has plenty of character and Durie’s men lifted the tempo again.

 

Rogers spilled a header in the box as Gers pressed for a winner but nobody reacted quickly enough to put the loose ball into the net.

 

A Ramsay drive from outside the box was also charged down and McAusland’s angled finish was off-range as it ran away for a goal kick.

 

Just when it seemed time might get the better of Rangers, they finally got the goal which won them the game with four minutes left.

 

And although there was a touch of fortune about it, there’s no doubt it was one the visitors merited.

 

Telfer shaped to shoot and it seemed Rogers would get down to save the attempt but Dykes intervened with a touch on it which proved to be crucial.

 

It took the ball away from the keeper and with the former Airdrie loanee wrong-footed, he could do nothing to stop the attempt creeping in.

 

With that, it was nine in a row for Gers and their bid for the under-20 title continues to gather pace.

 

RANGERS: Gallacher; McAusland, Halkett, Gasparotto, Sinnamon; Burrows (Gibson 67), Dykes, Crawford, Telfer, Ramsay; Gallagher.

 

SUBS NOT USED: Kelly, Pascazio, Roberts.

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6299-u20-aberdeen-1-2-rangers

[andy steel 0]

I'm pointing at no-one is particular, but you wonder what goes through some parents' mind's these days when it comes to naming their kids.

 

<weren't like that in my day loyal>

[chilledbear 16]

Andy Pandys not on TV

[forlanssister 3,050]

Was at the game.

 

Started poorly but improved as the game went on.

 

McAusland was extremely average looking and didn't seem to listen to the instructions from the touchline.

 

Gasparotto strolled through the game looking calm and composed and was seldom troubled.

 

Burrows took a knock when he scored and had to be replaced shortly after, didn't do much during the game but took his goal well.

 

Crawford was disappointing was playing in the centre of midfield and really should have taken the game by the scruff of the neck but didn't.

 

Telfer was the best player on the park, technically decent, put in a shift and not scared to have a pop from distance, perhaps should have done better when clean through near the end but in fairness he must've been knackered or then.

 

Ramsay improved as the game went on and like Telfer wasn't shy in having a pop and made the keeper work on many occasions.

 

Gallagher is a bit of a brick shithouse of a lad, again put in a decent shift but was mostly isolated being the lone striker, had he been more alert he might have nipped a goal near the end when the Aberdeen keeper spilled one.

 

The rest seemed solid enough without being spectacular.

 

None of them look like they're knocking on the door of the first team though I'd like to see Telfer get a wee run.

Edited February 11, 2014 by forlanssister
Crap spelling :(

[SteveC 150]

Was at the game.

.....

Gasparotto strolled through the game looking calm and composed and was seldom troubled.

 

.....

 

This prompts me to give a link to something on an article I wrote in a previous on-line incarnation some year and a half ago:

 

http://www.followfollow.com/news/tmnw/follow_follow_the_footsteps_from_toronto_to_glasgow_765307/index.shtml

 

I hope it is not impolite/against protocol to post this, it does seem a bit immodest but I thought some may find it of interest. The dates are quite important given where we were at the time he came over. i was relieved they took good care of him, considering this

[Zappa 0]

Tuesday, 11 February 2014 16:30

Up For The Fight

Written by Andrew Dickson

 

GORDON DURIE paid tribute to his Rangers under-20 side’s fighting qualities after it ground out an excellent 2-1 win over Aberdeen in Peterhead.

 

The Light Blues looked destined for a draw after Jamie Burrows’ opening goal was cancelled out by home striker Declan McManus.

 

But Dylan Dykes touched in a Charlie Telfer shot four minutes from full-time to keep the title bid on track as Gers recorded their ninth successive victory.

 

The visitors deserved their latest triumph after making a slow start and they’re now 14 games unbeaten in all competitions, a run stretching back to October.

 

Durie was thrilled with the way his players kept grafting with great determination to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Dons at Dumbarton back in September.

 

He said: “It’s another fantastic result for us. We knew they’d make it hard for us as Aberdeen beat us earlier in the season.

 

“We had a wee word with the players before the game and I had them up for it. I thought the boys were magnificent overall and they deserved their win.

 

“Whether it was down to the bus journey or whatever, we just didn’t get ourselves into the game in the first 15 to 20 minutes.

 

“After that, I was actually disappointed half-time came when it did because I thought we were on top at that time.

 

“The players started the second half the way they ended the first and got their rewards before being pulled back level again which was disappointing.

 

“We lifted it again though and the boys have got that in their locker. There’s a lot of confidence in the group at the moment.

 

“After it went to 1-1, the team could easily have settled for a point but they kept going and thankfully Dykesy got the winner. The attitude everyone showed was great.”

 

Having collected maximum points once again, Rangers remain top of the standings having returned there at the end of last month.

 

Celtic are now moving up the table having played some games in hand and it appears the championship could develop into a contest between the two Glasgow clubs for the title.

 

Durie isn’t thinking about that though and is just concentrating on keeping his young players focused on what they have to do.

 

He added: “We’re looking after ourselves. We’re on a fantastic run just now and we can only keep winning games.

 

“If we keep producing performances and results like those we had today, we won’t be far away in the long run.”

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6301-up-for-the-fight

[Zappa 0]

I hope it is not impolite/against protocol to post this, it does seem a bit immodest but I thought some may find it of interest.

 

No problem at all. Normally we ask that full articles are posted via copy/paste with appropriate credits and a link to the original article, but with longer articles like this there's no problem just using a link because it would be too big for the word limit of a single forum post.

[Super Cooper 0]

Celtic is the test, the team to beat.

[barca72 440]

Celtic is the test, the team to beat.

 

The exam will have to wait until next season now.

Sorry wrong thread.