Rangers under 18’s were beaten 4-3 by Hanwell Town first-team last-night in a decent display from the next generation of talent.
The youngsters endured a dreadful start to the game conceding a penalty within the first 20 seconds of the game. The Hanwell player placed the ball the opposite side to the hapless Jake Cole in the Rangers goal.
Scott Donnelly, the young Rangers prodigy then equalised midway through the first half, chipping the on-rushing goalkeeper when played through on goal from just outside the penalty box.
But the youngsters stayed level for barely five minutes before falling behind again.
Jake Cole misjudged a swirling cross, leaving a Hanwell striker with an open goal to nod the ball into the net.
Not long after, Hanwell extended their lead to 3-1 as the "men" were overcoming the "boys". It was an outstanding goal that brought applause from all that were there, which in fact was a decent sized crowd.
A long ball from the Hanwell defence was taken down and controlled beautifully and the attacker volleyed the ball straight past Cole with a rasping effort.
Rangers were playing well but were finding it difficult to create clear-cut chances, and when they did Sylvester, Townsend and Barnett all wasted their openings to score when well placed.
Rangers’ pressure paid off just before the break when they did claw there way back into the game with a goal from the penalty box.
The lively Sylvester was taken down in the area and Barnett slotted home from the spot.
HALF TIME: HANWELL TOWN 1ST X1 3-2 RANGERS UNDER 18’S
The second half continued much in the same fashion as its predecessor. Rangers were continuing to dominate their older opposition and deservedly equalised again, mid-way through the second period.
It was substitute Andrew Judge who scored following an excellent cross from Daniel Murphy. Judge met the ball at the far post with a powerful header that evaded the keeper.
However the equaliser counted for nothing as the hosts won the game with another fantastic volley. The Hanwell striker slammed the ball past sub keeper Emile Hesselton from outside the box after some sloppy Rangers play.
Sylvester, Farr and Bailey all went close as the youngsters continued to search for another equaliser but they were searching in vain as Hanwell ran out 4-3 victors.
Following on from last term, Joe Gallen and Des Bulpin will have been impressed by the performances of the players as they continued to show a degree of quality coming through the ranks.
Overall a good team performance that bodes well for next season’s newly structured league. The R’s were unlucky to be beaten and deserved more from the match.
FULL TIME: HANWELL TOWN 1ST X1 4-3 RANGERS UNDER 18’S
Team: Cole (Hesselton), Konyuka, Fletcher, Johnson, Murphy, Sylvester, Donnelly (Bailey), Mulholland, Farr, Barnett, Townsend (Judge).