U18 LEAGUE

Last updated : 17 November 2002 By Grandmaster Suck

In a mirror image of the first team game at Pittodrie Rangers impressed early and went ahead but the second half belonged to Aberdeen - thankfully the young Bears kept the Sheep at bay.

Charlie Adam got on the scoresheet early. In the 4th minute he stepped up to take a free kick just outside the angle of the penalty box on the right and sent it crashing into the back of the net.

Adam scored his second in the 19th when he waltzed in from the right leaving Aberdeen defenders in his wake before he rounded the sprawling keeper and coolly stroked the ball into the net.

Just after the half hour Rangers went three up when Alex Walker dribbled right through the middle of the defence before cleverly sending a curling sidefooted shot around the onrushing keeper.

The second half belonged to Aberdeen and if they¹d had better finishers Rangers could have been in deep trouble. Instead they had to make do with a Zander Diamond goal in 56 minutes - the Rangers keeper fumbled a corner and the ball fell right at Diamond's feet.

Rangers¹ 2nd half play was disjoined and disappointing with the midfield being particularly weak. The Gers had something of a revival in the last ten minutes making a few chances and right on the final whistle Tom Brighton had a gaol chopped off for offside when he was at the end of a flowing move which flatfooted the Aberdonian defence.

The U18s are due to play their re-arranged game against Celtic at Celtic Park at Tuesday night but there was talk at Auchenhowie today that the game was off again - we¹ll give you the news when we know for sure.