Match Report
Match Report - 10 Oct 2009, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team drew with Shoreham
Rangers entertained shoreham and found themselves a goal down after 2 minutes. O’Brien was fouled and the referee played on then brought it back and the resulting free kick from Richard Hudson was curling away from Simon Lehkyj. Lehkyj managed to get his hands to the ball and pushed it on to the post and it bounced in.
Shoreham were not taking any prisoners either and Jamie Weston was flattened by Denyer at right back. A neat interchange between Russell Harris and Jake Forward saw Forward shoot wide from the edge of the box. Another free kick on the left from Maynard saw Geoff Pitcher’s “cruyff “ flick go just wide off a defender . The corner was cleared and the fast break by shoreham ended with lehkyj divert the ball away for a corner. Rangers tried to knock the ball around and keep some possession. Shoreham’s Rob Boddy drew Tom Djamaluddin and shot, his shot was blocked and fell to O’Brien who fired well wide. Rangers lost the ball but Glenn Charker was on hand to head away. James Westlake’s cross from the right was headed away for a corner. Elliott Butler sent over another good cross which was scrambled clear.Rangers drew level on 30 minutes. The ball was played to Jamie Weston on the left. His quick feet created some space , he then exchanged passes with Pitcher who dropped his shoulder and went past the defender and fired into the far corner. 1-1. Rangers looked after the ball better and jake forward went close with another drive. Boddy went past Djamaluddin but Charker was on hand to clear the danger. Jamie Weston’s raqsping drive from 20 yards produced a fingertip save from Hunter down at his right hand post. Half time 1-1.
Rangers were on the back foot from the kick off and a series of corners ended with Shoreham retaking the lead. Rangers tend to go to sleep and concede sloppy goals this was no exception. The ball was crossed from the right and seemed to cross the goal line unfortunately the assistant waved play on so Shoreham did and Dean Smith had the simple task of heading in from yard. 1-2. 50 minutes. Both sides went close without causing either keeper too much concern. Chris Maynard and Sam Palmer were defending well with Glenn Charker and Tom Djamaluddin. James Westlake produced a fine run and shot which was just wide. Rangers replaced Russ Harris with Sam Palmer on 65 minutes. Westlake found Weston with a fine pass and his cross headed away. Rangers then introduced Luke Akehurst for his club debut in place oof Djamaluddin on 67 minutes. Weston put in another good cross which was cleared. Sam Palmer was upended by Fogden Rangers looked to level but the final pass was often overhit. Rangers made their final change replacing James Westlake with Mike Macdonald who had scored 2 for the reserves in midweek. Shoreham went close from a corner when Hudson headed over. With time running out and shoreham more than happy to take their time rangers won a throw in. This then went for a corner and MacDonald went into the box and was tripped. The ref pointed to the spot and Shoreham’s players and supporters went mad. Lots of finger pointing and swearing saw Denyer receive a yellow card. Up stepped Pitcher to calmly convert the penalty. 2-2.
Shoreham’s keeper hunter still very unhappy shouted comments for all to hear and received a straight red for his observations. Emotions were running high for the remaining time added on and with no further event on the pitch the match ended. Full time. 2-2..
M o m reasonable performances by all but Jamie Weston and Geoff Pitcher for lighting up my day with our first goal.
St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team 2 - 2 Shoreham