19s Suffer Old Firm Defeat

[warden90 0]

RANGERS' title aspirations suffered a blow this afternoon with under-19 league leaders Celtic winning 1-0 at Murray Park.

A goal from striker Greg Spence on 83 minutes gave the visitors three crucial points and the destination of the championship is now in their hands.

Steven Freil's side are seven points clear of Rangers at the top of the table and if they can win their four remaining games they will finish on top.

Billy Kirkwood's kids, meanwhile, have six fixtures still to play and all of them are away from home.

Today's clash in Auchenhowie was watched by over 300 fans and the first-half was tight with Celtic just edging it in terms of possession although goalscoring opportunities were few and far between.

On 22 minutes Celtic winger Paul Slane toe poked a shot from a wide angle which Grant Adam did well to hold and on 33 minutes Spence flicked a header over the bar after Sean Fitzharris had delivered a curling free-kick from the left.

With both teams starting with 4-5-1 formations it was proving to be a midfield battle but the first-half came to life in the closing stages.

Rhys McCabe almost broke the deadlock with a low shot which hit the post with Celtic keeper Danielle Giordano beaten.

And when the ball went up the other end the lively Spence swivelled past Chris Scott and Adam had to dive to his right to make a fine stop.

At the start of the second period Max Wright was introduced to the game in place of Kal Naismith, who had earlier been booked, and this switch allowed Rangers to push further up the pitch and utilise his pace on the right.

But it was Celtic that first attempt on goal after the restart with James Keating's low effort from 22 yards hitting the woodwork.

On 72 minutes the players were showing signs of frustration at not being able to get their noses in front and Kyle Hutton was shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away after the referee had awarded a very soft free-kick against the midfielder.

As this game progressed you had a feeling that both sides would get a chance to steal the points and this proved to be the case.

With 78 minutes on the clock Hutton fed a perfect through pass to Archie Campbell but with just the keeper to beat the ball appeared to bobble up and his effort skewed wide of target.

The club's prolific youngster had his hands on his head and having worked so hard throughout the game as a lone striker a goal would have been well deserved.

But on this occasion it was not to be and the miss was to be very costly for his side.

With just seven minutes left Fitzharris found acres of space down the right wing and when he delivered a low cross in to the six yard box Spence got in front of Adam and hit the net from close range.

The Murray Park youngsters battled until the end but they could not find an equaliser and Kirkwood was disappointed after the final whistle.

[TamWATP 0]

Greig Spence is one of us too

[Papa Sasac 164]

Damnit Spence.

[ballingrybear 2]

if spence is one of us why play for the scum

[Dietspam 733]

if spence is one of us why play for the scum

Same reason Danny Wilson plays for us, i guess.

[TannochsideBear 355]

Disappointing for the U-19's, and with all remaining games away from home, it looks as if the title is beyond them. However there is still the cup final on April 28 against the scum to be won.