AUFA under 14s and 15s recently visited Rangers' Murray Park for friendlies against their SPL counterparts.


Last Friday saw the 15s travel the distance up to the Milngavie complex and Neil Duffy's team were unlucky not to leave win a win under their belt after dominating the match for the first 80 minutes.

Ayr had chance after chance to increase the goal haul on a crisp night which started well for Ayr as Nisbet had two early chances to take the lead but Vance, Campbell and Ahearn all had be alert in defensive duties to halt the hosts from scoring.

It was clear that the Ayr side were not overawed by the Rangers team with Campbell and then Wardrope both firing in free kicks that went close and it took 28 minutes before Ayrs keeper Hart was called into action having to charge down the attacking player just before the end of the first period.

Rangers almost scored early in the second period when a nice through ball split the Ayr defence but an alert Hart made a great save to keep his side on level terms. Straight from this play, Nisbet made a speedy run up the left, playing Anderson into the middle but his shot just flew past the post and less than a minute later, an almost carbon copy move ended with the same outcome but some nice fast flowing play from the Ayr lads.

Minutes later Anderson speed bamboozled the Rangers defence as he played a pass into the path of Keegan who made a great cross into Ahearn but his shot was well saved by the Gers keeper.

Ayr were well in charge of the match with plenty of opportunities but the Rangers defence were looking strong and composed when under pressure.

20 minutes into this second period though, the deadlock was eventually broken when a great ball through to Nisbet was met by him at speed as he rounded the keeper and knocked it into the open net to give the 15s the lead.

The match moved into the 3rd period and the match swung from end to end with no real great chances to speak off until Nisbet again met a great through ball and once again he knocked it past the keeper to give his side a two goal lead going into the last 15 minutes.

Rangers were finding it hard to deal with the speed of Ayr's front line and were lucky to keep Ayr to just the two goals.

However 10 minutes from the end, Rangers picked up a loose pass in Ayr's defence to score their first and give themselves hope of getting something from this match. The Rangers boys heads suddenly picked up and almost immediately the scored again with a counter attack to equalize the match.

With minutes remaining Ayr had a couple of chances to finish the game off. Firstly McCarrison had a shot from a tight angle saved, then Fillipi made some space for himself on the right before being closed down by the alert Rangers defensive rearguard. Wardrope then tried his luck from 25 yards out which troubled the keeper but he somehow managed to keep the ball out just before Fillipi had Ayr's last chance of the night with a lobbed effort that was caught by the keeper.

Rangers had the last opportunity right on the final whistle as they broke up the field and miraculously scored the winner that gutted the Ayr players and coaching staff.

Manager Neil Duffy said afterwards "That was a great 80 minute performance from us, unfortunately the match lasted 90 and we just seemed to lose concentration with 10 minutes left. It was an unfortunate end to the match from our point of view but the lads played brilliantly and we were perhaps unlucky not to have taken at least something from this match. This was a great experience for the players and they can be proud of what they achieved here tonight. Everyone enjoyed the match and even though we lost in the end, it was a tremendous match with some fantastic play from our boys."