A late goal from substitute Daniel Finlayson was enough to give AS Roma USA all three points in a cagey affair at the Riada Stadium in Ballymoney.
The first attempt on goal wasn’t registered until the 11th minute as Rangers’ Scott Gray’s 25 yard free-kick went over the bar. At the other end, AS Roma’s Josh Sargent blazed over after some initial good work in losing his marker. The American side enjoyed much of the chances and possession in the first-half and threatened once again on 14 minutes as John Murphy tested Lewis Muir in the Rangers goal from 20 yards out.
Moments later, Carter Clemmensen had an effort on goal but it went over the crossbar. On 22 minutes, the American side ought to have taken the lead as a great cross from Ethan Bowen found Sargent but he failed to keep his composure at the key moment and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Less than a minute later, Roma spurned another great opportunity as Taylor Davila’s shot was blocked and Tate Dolan had a chance saved from Lewis Muir following good work from the impressive Matt Hundley.
However, the Glasgow giants nearly made the breakthrough late into the first-half as Gray and Scott Blacklaw combined to release Matthew Shiels but he was denied by Hunter Pinho. In a tale of two halves, it was Rangers who looked more like scoring in the second period as Matifadza Zata linked up well with Zak Rudden. The striker (who scored in Rangers’ 1-0 victory against Sheffield United earlier in the week) had his shot saved by the ‘keeper.
Further chances came from Rangers in an attempt to take the lead as Rudden, Zata and Awokoya-Mebude were all denied by Pinho. With a matter of minutes remaining on the clock, AS Roma took the lead as Clemmensen showed predatory instinct from a corner to bundle the ball home and give the American side all three points.
Match Report by Jonathan McNabb