| 30th October |
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| Winkney
Seniors |
0 |
v |
2 |
Eastbourne
Rangers |
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Nick Tattam 22' |
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Chris Langford
34' |
A severely depleted rangers squad met
local rivals Winkey in a top of the table
clash at the field of dreams in what turned
out to be a well contested affair. With Nick
away, Robbo took the reigns but with no
fewer than 6 players unavailable (Jules,
Robbo, Al, Nick, Blain, Stat) due to work,
illness or injury, the starting 11
practically picked itself.
Grant took the gloves again after having
very little to do in the last game while
Mike and Jon continued at centre half which
surely must be THE best partnership at the
back in the lower leagues. Rick lined up at
right back with Si getting the nod at left
back. Mark and Dan were again in the thick
of it in centre midfield while Webby
continued down the right flank. Langers came
in on the left wing while Tats started his
first game of the season up front in the
absence of the injured Wellsy who could only
make the bench. Sam got the nod supporting
Tats up top and the rangers bench consisted
of a half fit Wellsy and Rob who both picked
up injuries against Hampden Park United
After a rousing team talk by The Robbo, the
rangers troops seemed well up for the
challenge of the 90 minutes ahead. Both
teams started brightly with Winkney playing
some decent football at times but were
consistently shut out be the uncompromising
Mike and Jon who were yet again outstanding
at the heart of the red and blacks back
four.
Rangers broke the deadlock out of nothing
after 22 minutes when Sam threaded a through
ball to Tats who used his power and strength
to hold off the Winkney defender and drilled
a left foot drive past the despairing keeper
deep into the bottom corner.
Winkney rarely threatened but looked
particularly dangerous when they sprayed the
ball wide to their right winger who caused
many problems for rangers throughout the
first half. But any cross supplied was met
by a rangers head and Grant was rarely
troubled.
Rangers soon found themselves two goals to
the good. A long ball up to Sam on 34
minutes saw him supply a delightful flick to
the onrushing Langers who fired home right
footed first time from 20 yards out. 2 -0
and that’s the way it stayed until half time
and a job half done. All 11 rangers warriors
were patted on the back by stand in gaffer
Robbo at half time who asked from more of
the same from the players for the second
half.
The second half saw Winkney take the game to
rangers as they appeared to knock the ball
around a bit more but this was mainly
because rangers did not need to go and chase
the game. The back four held solid for the
whole second half and whenever Winkney broke
through the backline, Grant was finally
given something to do. An exceptional double
save and a further save by the rangers
number one ensured that Winkney were
condemned to just there second league defeat
of the season. It’s fair to say it could
have been a very different outcome if
Winkney nicked a goal when they were on top
the most but rangers managed to see the game
out to catapult themselves back to the
summit of the league – where they belong!!!
Impressive displays throughout the whole
team ensured the stand in gaffer had a tough
call for MOM. Tats led the line absolutely
brilliantly with Sam notching up two assists
while the work rate of Langers Mark, Dan and
Webby ensured that the 5 players in the
Winkney midfield rarely had a sniff. The
back four were superb with Grant making some
crucial saves at the death but Jon just
about gets the nod for MOM (from the 10
other rangers goliaths) who won every single
ball / challenge that he faced in his
typical uncompromising fashion. Truly
outstanding.
Next week sees the return of mercurial
leader Nick Stevenson who will need to rally
the troops for the short trip to Battle
Baptists II. After outstanding displays from
the starters today and the potential return
of many players to next weeks squad, Nick
may have what’s called “a nice selection
headache”.
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