disgruntled_bear 157 Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 RANGERS under-19s have secured a sensational domestic double thanks to a terrific 3-1 extra-time victory over Celtic in the final of the SFA Youth Cup at Hampden tonight. In what turned out to be a remarkable match Cillian Sheridan opened the scoring for John McLaughlin's side after 61 minutes and with the full time fast approaching Billy Kirkwood's side looked dead and buried. John Fleck had other ideas and the 16-year-old produced a wonder goal in injury time before substitute Andrew Little bagged a second in the fourth minute of extra-time. With 119 minutes played and with Celtic throwing everything forward, including keeper Paul Skinner, Fleck then sprinted up the pitch again before rolling the ball into the empty net to clinch a famous win. It was a comeback that Walter Smith's first-team would have been proud of and the manager was on-hand to watch the club's starlets receive the trophy for a second consecutive year. Over 6000 Old Firm fans travelled to the national stadium to watch the action and both sides put in great effort throughout a pulsating 120 minutes. Strangely, the first-half failed to live up to pre-match expectations and it was Celtic that had the best opportunities to open the scoring. On 17 minutes the Parkhead youngsters decided to play a bit of head tennis in the Gers' 18-yard box with skipper Jason Marr finding Luca Santonocito before Daniel Lafferty latter nodded the ball inches over Scott Gallacher's goal from six yards. On 34 minutes another chance came their way when left-back Carlo Monti skinned William McLachlan and Ross Perry on the wing and found Paul Cahillane at the back-post. The striker's neat touch took him beyond Steven Kinniburgh but his deft chip from close range again went over the bar. Rangers struggled to break through their rival's stubborn rearguard and long-range efforts looked to be their best, and only, option. An Andrew Shinnie drive which narrowly missed Skinner's right-hand post was as near as the Light Blues came to an opening goal in the first period. SFA Youth Cup Final Kirkwood elected to make his first change of the match during the interval with Andrew Little replacing Isa Bagci. Northern Ireland international Little had been playing in the centre of defence in recent games but was asked to play in his natural position for the second 45 minutes and put in a brilliant shift. Celtic. however, were to get theoir noses in front on 61 minutes. A poor clearance from Scott Gallacher fell to left winger Monti who fired in a low, dangerous cross which arrived at the feet of Sheridan. The powerful striker's first effort was blocked by Ross Harvey but he made no mistake with his second which found the back of the net. With the game going into injury time and legs jaded it was going to take something special for the Gers to get back in to the game and it came from Fleck. The Scotland star sprinted from his own half and powered his way past three Celtic defenders before launching a rocket left-foot rocket into the opposite top corner from the edge of the 18-yard box. SFA Youth Cup Final His brilliant solo effort took the game into extra time and it looked as though the team with the most energy in the tank would come out on top, Thankfully it was the team in Light Blue that had more in reserve and in the 4th minute of added time they got their noses in front for the first time in the match. A shot from right-back William McLachlan from distance was saved by Skinner but the ball fell at the feet of Andrew Little. His first shot was desperately blocked again by the grounded keeper but the forward delighfully back-heeled the ball into the empty net. Fleck then put some icing on the cake in the final seconds of the game. Skinner sprinted up to the pitch for a Celtic corner and was punished when Scott Gallacher punched clear. Fleck was the recipient and he again darted 60 yards before scoring from 20 yards. It was the perfect end to a terrific final and the Gers players celebrated in style after the final whistle as Captain Shinnie lifted the trophy. CELTIC: Skinner, Gallacher, Monti, Marr, Lafferty, Tidser, Cawley, Towell, Sheridan (Bunting 72), Cahillane, Santonocito (Graham 66) Subs: Marshall, Ross, Foley RANGERS: Gallacher; McLachlan, Perry, Harvey, Kinniburgh; Stirling (Kind Bendisken 64), Shinnie, Ness, Efrem (Hutton 76); Bagci (Little 45), Fleck Subs: Vaiculis, Craig Referee: William Collum http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Ne...1296714,00.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coopermania 1 Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I like it DB .... not so disgruntled now eh ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mithrandir713 8 Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 'The Scotland star sprinted from his own half and powered his way past three Celtic defenders before launching a rocket left-foot rocket into the opposite top corner from the edge of the 18-yard box.' He had a quiet game? What is he like when he plays well? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 I like it DB .... not so disgruntled now eh ? I know everything is going our way for a Change Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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