Match Report
Match Report - 03 Oct 2009, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team beat East Preston
Rangers went to East Preston in the second round of the John O’Hara cup.
After an even low key start Russell Harris was tripped on the edge of the box.
From Chris Maynard’s free kick Geoff Pitcher headed home only to be judged off side . Pitcher was cautioned by referee John Pike for disputing a free kick awarded against him. East Preston had the lion’s share of the possession for the next 5 minutes without creating clear cut chances. James Westlake got in behind the left back who just got back to win the ball inside the box. E P’s Hammond was booked for a foul on Jake Forward. Once again the assistant ref’s flag was up early to halt the attack.
Jamie Weston was making good progress down the left and finished with a good shot.
E P were looking for free kicks for perceived fouls that were waved away by Mr Pike. Westlake got in again but his shot was gathered by the keeper. E P’s centre forward fired wide just before half time. Half time 0-0
East Preston were awarded a free kick 30 yards out in the centre. Saunders shot took a wicked deflection to give Simon Lehkyj no chance on 47 minutes 1-0. Rangers upped their game and Elliott Butler and Jake Forward began to pull the strings in the middle of the park. Rangers were guilty of over hitting the final pass. Butler delivered a good cross for Weston to head just wide. On 56 minutes rangers were level. Butlers corner was played to Maynard who’s cross was guided in the far post by Russell Harris. 1-1
Rangers were playing the ball about with confidence and on 60 minutes won another corner. Butler’s delivery was headed on by Ben Palmer towards the far post where Matt Carruthers headed it back across the goal for Jamie Weston to apply the final touch. 1-2. Rangers were now playing with confidence. Glenn Charker and Chris Maynard looked strong in the middle at the back with full backs Carruthers and Palmer getting forward at every opportunity. The midfield of Westlake and Weston out wide kept the E P defence stretched and Butler and Forward created openings for the on rushing rangers players. Geoff Pitcher was using his experience to bring others into the attack. A neat turn in the box set up Palmer but his shot kept rising.
Butler and Forward produced some neat interplay down the left which finished with a corner. Lehkyj’s clearance sent Westlake down the right , his cross found Harris who saw his shot well saved by the home keeper . Rangers took off pitcher for Martin Gainey in time added on. E P were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and the deflected shot fell to Dodd who saw his goal bound shot gathered and held by Lehkyj low down to his left. This saw Mr Pike bring the game to an end. Full time 1-2.
Mom Jake Forward always available always wanting the ball.
East Preston 1 - 2 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team