YOUNG TERRORS VICTORIOUS IN LEAGUE OPENER

It was the perfect start to the new CAS Under-18 Elite League for the Young Terrors as they ran out a deserving 3-1 victory over Rangers at the HPC at St Andrew's University.

A double from Fin Malcolm gave the boys a commanding lead at the interval, with Dominik Naglik adding a third 15 minutes from time to ensure the three points.

United were quick out the blocks and got a good chance to take the lead inside the opening two minutes. Stuart Heenan drove down the right-wing before picking out Malcolm, but the striker saw his finish deflected behind by the last defender. Kerr Smith saw yellow five minutes later after bring down Jack Harkness on the edge of United's box.

The Young Terrors then made their positive start count in the eleventh minute when Malcolm got his first of the afternoon. A brilliant pass from Rory MacLeod saw the young striker break past the Rangers defence. He looked to have carried the ball just a little too wide, but used it to his advantage as he slotted the low finish underneath the keeper.

A second United goal should've come only a few minutes later after some brilliant build-up. Smith picked out Sam Lovie at the corner flag with an inch-perfect pass, who cut the ball back quickly to Bryan Mwangi. He was able to find MacLeod with a low cross, but the youngster pulled his finish high over the bar.

Malcolm would find the second in the 21st minute as the ball broke perfectly into his path inside the Rangers box. With the opposition defence caught off-guard, he had time to set himself and rifle a low shot into the back of the net.

The Young Terrors had another good chance to extend their lead shortly before the interval. Following a quick throw-in, Mwangi's cross caused trouble in the box, with the ball eventually falling to Craig Moore just past the 18-yard line. He fizzed a low shot across the grass but the keeper managed to hold on at the second attempt.

Into the second half and the game quietened down a bit as Rangers looked to get back into the game. They pulled one back in the 66th minute when Rory Wilson managed to nod the ball home following a scramble in the box.

That gave the visitors a boost as they searched for an equaliser, but it would be the Young Terrors celebrating the final goal in the 75th minute. Layton Bisland's delivery from the right-hand side took a slight deflection on it's way into the six-yard box, giving Naglik the necessary advantage to make the connection and knock the ball over the line.

"It's been a hard pre-season with a lot of ups and downs but we came in this week, training was great and we just couldn't wait to get back to games again," said Malcolm. "I thought we were excellent and scored three good goals so we couldn't ask for any more.

"They spooked us a little after they got the goal back but on the whole I thought it was a dominant performance. We played our style the way we wanted to play, didn't let them overrun us and did really well.

"With the second goal, the ball's deflected towards the back post and both Bis and I were going for it. I was never letting him get there before me, that was my goal all day long. Delighted to get two goals, it's great for my confidence and build that back up again.

"Last season was tough with all the COVID stuff and, personally, I don't think I reached what I'm able to but came in this pre-season knowing where we had gone wrong and how to fix it. From there, it was just about getting the right attitude and mentality and we've all done that.

"It's been a hard pre-season but in the end we've beat Rangers 3-1 and we're all coming away buzzing. I don't see why we can't go to Hibs next week and do the same."

With many of last season's squad now stepping up to the next level, it was a youthful United squad that featured this afternoon with five Under-16s, Sam Harding, Rory Macleod, Keir Bertie, Nairn Lowe and Allan Domeracki, all getting game time. Harding, Bertie and Lowe all coming through Our Academy at Baldragon.

Team: Ruairidh Adams; Layton Bisland, Sam Lovie, Sam Harding, Jacob Comerford, Kerr Smith (C), Stuart Heenan (sub Nairn Stuart), Craig Moore, Finlay Malcolm (sub Dominik Naglik), Rory MacLeod (sub Keir Bertie) and Bryan Mwangi (sub Allan Domeracki)

Unused subs: Jamie McCabe and Aaron Donald