It was a lovely bright afternoon in Portstewart for the game between Glasgow Rangers and MS Select in the Junior Section of the Super Cup NI. There was everything to play for in this game, with Rangers coming off the back of a win and a draw in their opening 2 fixtures, with MS Select coming off a defeat and win in their opening fixtures.
1st Half
The game started brightly, with Rangers trying to stamp their mark early on with a high line and trying to press MS in their own half. It didn’t take long for the first goal to come, but it was MS who took advantage of Rangers’ high line with a long ball from the defence. Arzon Todywalla got on the end of it, showing good strength to hold off his marker to slot it past the on rushing keeper.
Straight from the kick off, Rangers took control again and got their passing game going. Billy Gilmour was calling the shots in the midfield. Right back Patterson made a great pass through the middle of MS centre backs to find the impressive Gilmour, who went around the keeper and keep his head to slot the ball home, 1-1.
The rest of the half saw Rangers control the game, with half chances falling to Gilmour and the tricky McGinty. MS were still looking a threat in behind the Glasgow side, but couldn’t find the break through before half-time.
2nd Half
The half start the way the first ended, with Rangers having all the ball and forcing MS deeper in their own half. Gilmour was still always demanding the ball till get things going. The MS defence was starting to frustrate the Gers, who were reduced to shots from distance from McGinty and Williamson.
The first caution of the game went to Aish of MS for a foul on the McGinty, who looked like he had the beating of his man every time he got on the ball. Going into the last 10mins of the game Rangers finally broke down a well organized MS, when McGinty on the right played a ball into Awokoya-Mebude, who lost his footing. Fortunately for Rangers, running in behind was sub McKechnie who made it 2-1.
Straight from the kick off Rangers got back in the faces of MS players, getting the ball back, with great piece of individual skill from sub McPake on the left beating 2 players before laying the ball off to McKechnie. The Rangers made no mistake to make it 3-1 with 2 goals in 2minutes. Thhere was little that MS could do in the 2nd half as they began to run out of legs, while Rangers went on till see the remaining minutes out for in the end a comfortable 3-1 win.
Report by Liam McBride