Match Report
Match Report - 17 Apr 2010, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team beat Eastbourne Utd Assn
On a bright sunny day the fun bus embarked on the epic trip in search of 3 vital points. The pitch was rock hard and very bobbley. Rangers went on the attack from the off and James Westlake was crowded out before he could get his shot away. EUA attacked down the right and James McKenzie shot wide. Ben Billings then turned well on the left but blazed his shot high and wide . This was probably EUA’s best spell with Simon Stevens busting down the right and his low cross was fired wide by Brad Manton. Rangers began to get the ball forward and from a free kick well delivered by Brannon O’Neill Jamie Weston saw his header saved low down by the post. Jake forward shot wide when the ball fell to him after some good passes. O’Neill’s positive run resulted in a corner which fell to Glenn Charker who thumped it just over the bar from 20 yards. Weston was upended mid way in EUA half and O’Neill slotted the ball through for him to fire home only to be flagged off side on 35 minutes. Ben Palmer headed over from an other free kick from O’Neill just before half time h t 0-0.
With the sun on their backs rangers went after the elusive goal and Weston saw his shot saved by Nick Maynard in the home goal. Sam Palmer saw his gathered as well. Billings reminded rangers not to relax when he broke with pace but dragged his shot wide of the post. O’Neills deep cross was kept in play by Carruthers but the bobble beat him. Rangers took the lead on 58 minutes when Elliott Butler received the ball after some good exchanges and slipped the ball through for Chris Maynard to slot into the far corner 0-1. EUA looked to level but Lehkyj was on hand to gather the ball. Rangers replaced Maynard with Andy Brown on 63 minutes. Brown was soon in the action when Butler played him in on goal only for Maynard to save at the near post. Rangers went close again when Weston shot at the end of some more good passes only for Maynard to save well. EUA sub Shane Saunders shot straight at Lehkyj who calmly caught the ball and sent it back up the park. Rangers continued to move the ball forward and Brown was released down the right and his low cross was met by Sam Palmer who stroked the ball home on 85 minutes. 0-2. The 2 centre backs of Glenn Charker and Ben Palmer were solid and full backs O’Neill and Carruthers licked well with their hard working wide players James Westlake and Chris Maynard and then Jamie Weston. Elliott Butler and Jake Forward were all over the park always available and closing down EUA space. The front 2 of Sam Palmer who’s pace always worried and Jamie Weston who’s trickery and strength enabled others to join in the attacks. Skipper Simon Lehkyj was ready for any thing that got past his defenders. Josh hawkes and then Karl Hodges for his first team debut replaced Jamie Weston and Sam Palmer. Rangers were resolute in defence as they battled to secure victory. Hodges went close when his chip from an acute angle nearly caught out Maynard. Full Time 0-2
Mom the whole team. Every one put in a performance today
Eastbourne Utd Assn 0 - 2 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team