Under 18s: Kilmarnock 2-4 Rangers

Kilmarnock’s Under 18s fell to a disappointing 4-2 defeat against Rangers at Rugby Park on Tuesday May 7th.

Rangers went ahead just before half-time, then a second half with five goals in the game ensured it was exciting enough for spectators.

The visitors went 3-0 ahead before Killie pulled two back in a bid to spark a comeback.

It wasn’t to be though as Rangers grabbed another to seal the three points.

Rangers had a chance after 10 minutes when Callum Burnside had a crack from the edge of the box, but he couldn’t quite keep his effort down much to Dylan Brown in the Killie goal’s delight.

Lewis Stewart looked sure to open the scoring for the visitors as he was set to fire home from 13 yards out, but centre back Andrew Miller did fantastically to get himself in front of the shot to keep it out.

Burnside had another great chance in the 23^rd minute as he looked to fire a strike to the back post, it was narrowly wide though after a deflection, Calum Adamson then headed over from the resulting corner.

Chances were at a premium for Killie in the first half, Archie Traynor had a great one in the 38^th minute though as me smashed an effort at goal, but Alfie Halliwell got down well to save the effort.

The visitors got themselves in front just three minutes before half-time as Leyton Grant found space at the back post to tap home and give his side the lead at the break.

Straight from kick-off in the second half Adamson almost doubled Rangers’ lead, his effort from distance went flying past Brown, but thankfully for the Killie No 1 it smacked the inside of his left post and flew out to safety.

They did double their lead 10 minutes later before quickly trebling it, thanks to goals from Joshua Gentles and Lewis Stewart respectively.

Despite the scoreline Kilmarnock pushed hard to get themselves back into the game with a few decent chances, especially a Zander Craik header in the 68^th minute which was fantastically saved at close range from Halliwell.

Shay McKeown then pulled one back for the hosts as he finished well with a powerful low shot in the 73^rd minute.

Then two minutes later captain Ethan Mersey smashed home a stunning free-kick to make it 3-2.

Arrien Allen then restored a two goal lead for Rangers with a precise curling effort into the corner 10 minutes from time.

Cole Burke then almost replied with a stunning 25 yard goal, but the crossbar denied him a world class finish.

Score: Kilmarnock 2-4 Rangers

Team: Brown, Mackle, Miller, Ellis, Mersey, Burke, Traynor (McKeown), Kennedy, Marchant, Cooper, Craik