Match Report
Match Report - 12 Dec 2009, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team beat Peacehaven & Teslecombe
Rangers went down to Peacehaven with a game plan of restricting their direct style of play with a 4-3-3 formation which all 11 players stuck to for the 90 minutes.
Rangers frustrated Peacehaven from the first minute and there just reward came in the 14 minute when a well flighted cross from left back Brannan O’Neil meet Geoff Pitcher at the back post. His great awareness allowed him to produce a tidy header back to James Westlake on the edge of the area who hammered the ball on to the underside of the bar and in.
Rangers tatics continued to frustrate Peacehaven forcing them to change formations on a number of occasions. The game became scrappy which in hindsight suited the well equip away side. Just before the half time interval Rangers were re-ward further for their first half display when James Westlake released Jamie Weston down the left hand side who turned and laid in Elliott Butler who attempted to flick the ball over the oncoming Peacehaven defender only for him then to handle inside the area. No complaints, Penalty!
Pitcher stepped up for his 7th penalty of the season and again did the business from 12 yards to put Rangers 2-0 up at the break.
Half Time 2-0.
First 10 mins Rangers started a little shaky having let leads slip earlier in the season this was understandable but as the half grew so did our confidence. Rangers back line of Matt Carruthers, Ben Palmer, Glen Chalker and Brannan O’Neil looked confident and accomplished, rarely being threaten by the Peacehaven attack. The one time Peacehaven did manage to get round the back of the Rangers defence it resulted in a penalty. Peacehaven number 7 latched on to a through ball beating the oncoming Brannan O’Neil who in committing himself to the ball brought him to the floor. Peacehaven winger pick himself up to take the spot kick which he hit with venom towards the bottom right hand corner only for Simon Lehkyi to make a fabulous save to keep the score at 2-0.
From that point on Rangers truly believed that they could be taking 3 valuable points from a very strong Peacehaven side. As the final minutes passed by, Rangers could have added a third when Jamie Weston’s volley was well saved by the Peacehaven keeper.
Ranger’s backroom staff must take a lot of credit for the performance and tatics that the players showed over the 90 minutes. The squad must now take that positive performance into there next and very important game at home to East Grinstead Town.
Peacehaven & Teslecombe 0 - 2 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team