A solitary goal from Zak Rudden four minutes from time was enough to give Rangers a deserved victory in wintery conditions at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
It was the Blades who had the first opportunity on goal as a 25-yard free-kick from Jordan Doherty sailed over the crossbar. On 6 minutes, Rangers should have taken the lead as Cameron Palmer robbed the ball from the Sheffield United defence and bore down on goal, but his effort was saved by Hugo Warhurst.
Rangers were looking very good going forward and created another chance as Zak Rudden’s cross was met by Stephen Kelly but he failed to keep his effort on target. Moments later, a sweet cross by Carlo Pignatiello was met by Rhys Breen and his header went narrowly past the post.The Glasgow giants created their best chance in the opening period on 21 minutes as another great delivery from Pignatiello found Breen once again and his header was cleared off the line by Cameron Hawkes. The rebound landed to Matifadza Zata but he was denied by Warhurst. Sheffield United finished the first-half strongly and had an excellent chance to score on 28 minutes as the ball landed at the feet of Reon Potts but he blazed over. Soon after, a great cross by Jack Holmes found the head of Rev James but Lewis Muir gathered with ease.
At the start of the second-half, the Scottish side nearly made the breakthrough as a sweet curling free-kick from Scott Gray hit the post with the keeper stranded. At the other end, Doherty had another attempt on goal but it sailed over the top of the net. Zak Rudden was becoming an instrumental part in Rangers’ attacking prowess and he was denied by a goal bound deflection as well as hitting an effort wide following good work from Stephen Kelly. In the closing stages of the match, Rangers took the lead as Rudden found space at the edge of the box and found the top corner with an unstoppable finish.
Sheffield United nearly salvaged a point on the stroke of full-time as a half volley from Cameron Hawkes went narrowly wide of the far post with Lewis Muir rooted to the spot. It was a great start for Rangers who will face County Fermanagh on Day 2 at the Ballymena Showgrounds. As for Sheffield United, they will look to bounce back against Dundalk SL at Castlerock.
Words by Jonathan McNabb