Donegal Schools 2
Rangers 3
Report by Paul Alexander
Rangers got their 2023 Super Cup campaign off to a winning start with a resilient performance at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
It was the Gers who made the brighter start on the Ballycastle Road. After just two minutes Luke Moore floated a dangerous ball across the 18-yard box but it was picked out of the air by Donegal Schools goalkeeper Fintan James.
Rangers did put the ball in the net on 8 minutes. Ben Hutton supplied Luca Rankin whose effort was saved. Moore finished off the rebound but the assistant referee’s flag was already up.
Moore probed again seconds later with a cross from the left wing which was parried clear by James with no Rangers player able to pounce.
Donegal’s Lewis Cunnea went down in the 11th minute and was subsequently replaced by substitute Blake Meredith. The Irish side flickered on 13 minutes. Finn Nolan played in strike partner Drew Dowds whose shot was tipped around the right post by Rangers keeper Sam Reid for a corner.
Seconds later Donegal went ahead. This time it was Nolan who caused problems for the Scotts. His strike on the left side of the area came off the underside of the crossabar and the assistant referee signalled goal.
Dowds was back threatening for Donegal in the 17th minute. He received Shai Thompson’s diagonal free-kick from the left but his low attempt was gathered by Reid in Gers goal.
Rangers searched for a goal before the break. Lewis Smith produced a ball from the left wing but it was well taken by Donegal’s James. Their late push was rewarded with a minute of the first half to go when Aiden Crilly’s dinked effort confused James.
Donegal regained the lead two minutes into the second-half. James played a route one ball to towards Nolan who took advantage of a loose bounce and produced a breath-taking finish into left side of the net.
Ranger’s Max Cameron had a golden opportunity seven minutes into the second-half when he found himself in on goal on the right but could only blaze over the bar.
Although Cameron would redeem himself on 52 minutes when he drew his side level. Kyle Glasgow fed the ball though to Cameron who finished low, across the goal.
Cameron ensured his redemption as he played a part in the winning goal. His cross from the right wing was headed down by Ewan Gray at the back post four minutes from time.
Donegal Schools: James, McBrearty [C], Boyle, McTaggart, Cunnea (Meredith, 12), Thompson (Akpo, 70), Slevin, Kelly, Toland (Doherty, 61), Dowds, Nolan
Subs not used: Campbell, Coyle, A. McBrearty, McCrory
Rangers: Reid (Millarvie, 35), Smith (Young, 35), Owen, Carson, Rodger, Crilly, Stewart (Gray, 35), Hutton [C], Moore (Preston, 35), Rankin (Glasgow, 35), Cameron
Subs not used: Scally