Title Blow For 19's

[ian1964 10,707]

RANGERS' u19s title hopes took a huge blow this afternoon as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a Motherwell side enjoying their fifth consecutive win.

 

Darren ColeIt could prove to be a costly result for Billy Kirkwood's boys as it leaves them trailing league leaders Hibs by five points with just three games remaining.

 

The Edinburgh club have the chance to extend that lead to eight points when they face capital rivals Hearts and Billy Kirkwood knows his side need a favour from the Jambos to keep their hopes alive.

 

"It's a difficult position we find ourselves in but it all depends on what Hearts do against Hibs. We've always said that it's about what we do, but now we're looking for favours and it shouldn't be like that.

 

"It's the first time this season that I can say to the lads that it hasn't been about missed chances or bad deliveries, we just didn't do enough today.

 

"But the two goals we gave away were poor and I didn't think there was anything between us before the penalty.

 

"Over the piece though we only had one shot on goal and I thought Motherwell were well worth their win in the end."

 

The home side set themselves on the way to that win just five minutes before the end of a scrappy first half when Darren Cole was penalised for pulling down Steven Lawless.

 

Billy KirkwoodThe referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Lawless picked himself up to fire the penalty kick past a helpless Arturs Vaiculis.

 

With so much resting on the game Rangers made a half time change to introduce Isa Bagci in place of Stephen Forbes.

 

The big forward added a physical presence to the Rangers front line that had been lacking, with Archie Campbell a willing lone front man in the opening 45 minutes.

 

But just as Bagci was threatening to turn the game in the Light Blues' favour, Motherwell hit the Gers with a sucker punch second.

 

A short free kick was rolled in to the path of Jordan Halsmann and the full back rifled a fine left foot shot off the inside of the post and in to the back of the net from 20 yards.

 

With Rangers chasing the game Motherwell had chances to add to their scoreline with Paul Slane in particular looking impressive on the left side of their midfield.

 

There would be no further scoring, but that will be of little consolation to Kirkwood and his side who will now await with interest the result from Edinburgh on Saturday.

 

RANGERS: Vaiculis; Cole (Durie 73), Perry, Wilson, Wylde; Dick (Miller 55), Hutton, Stirling, Forbes (Bagci 46); Naismith, Campbell.

Subs: Adam, Scott, Wright, McGeough.

[JMS 0]

Cheers for the report mate.