Match Report
Match Report - 26 Jul 2011, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Eastbourne Town FC
A good work out for Rangers in their latest strong and competitive pre season friendly.
Ricky Mitchel made his debut for the club and was soon involved hitting a thunderous 30 yard shot against the bar. Ricky looked dangerous all game and developed a good partnership with Walsh up top.
Eastbourne Town came into the game more as the half wore on and Baker twice had to be quick of his line to thwart the forward.
Eastbourne had the best player on the pitch in the first period in their number 9 and his movement and running was excellent. However Jabba and Hollick were exceptional and kept him relatively quiet, both performing admirably.
Rangers also looked lively and had a good chance spurned at the far post from an excellent cross by O Neil.
A small slip from Jabba allowed the forward a great chance to open the scoring but Baker brilliantly saved at his feet. Minutes later another fine Baker save kept the score goalless.
It was a very entertaining first half, both sides working very hard with and without the ball.
The only difference was Rangers gave away possession cheaper and this was their down fall just before the break when Cooper gifted the ball away. It was worked quickly down the left, an Eastbourne player cut in and hit a 25 yard shot which took a massive deflection and Paul Parker style looped in over Baker.
Half Time 0-1, just about reflection of the half.
Rangers came out quickly in the second period and maintained their work rate. However they kept the ball much better and went on to dominate the second period.
Just after the break Mitchel linked up well with Walsh, sliding a clever ball through, and in two touches Walsh hit the ball across the keeper into the net. A fabulous finish and as all top strikers take, just 2 touches to finish.
Gacias and Boggy were running the middle of the park and Eastbourne pushed 3 in there to compete. O Neil and Cooper were having more influence as the game wore on and with the very impressive pair of Dodds overlapping down the left and Akehurst down the right Rangers saw 2 good chances go begging.
Both sides then made quite a few substitutions but the game continued to flow at a good pace with some neat football from both sides.
Eastbourne clipped the bar from a cross, although the ball had already gone out of play.
O Neil played Macfie through but his effort was well saved. Minutes later a carbon copy saw the keeper tip Macfie shot onto the bar.
Macfie and Mheuka were also forming an excellent partnership up top, whilst Barnes and Clark came on in the middle of the park and took up where Boggy and Gacias left off.
Macfie then had a great chance to give Rangers the lead after being put through but again the Town keeper saved well.
Mheuka was pushed in to the hoardings and reacted by pushing Fogden in the back. He was substituted with immediate effect. Minutes later Clark got into an altercation with the Town number 12, who gauged Clark eye. This showed the tempo and level the game was being played at, excellent for a friendly game!
Rangers were denied twice more down the left after great build up play involving O Neil, Dodds, Macfie and Mitchel. Just as the game looked to be heading for a draw a through ball was missed by Barnes and Town striker finished beyond Mcnaboe.
It was cruel luck on Rangers as they had worked tirelessly to get back in the game and deserved something from it from their improved second half performance. Rangers keeper did not have a save to make in the second period, testamount to Rangers dominance and their excellent defending.
A pleasing game all round particularly with the whole squad performing, an important element over the season.
Team:
Baker (Mcnaboe 45), Akehurst (Perry 60), Jabuludin, Hollicks, Dodds, Cooper (Akehurst 85), Gacias (Barnes 60), Archer (Clark 60), O Neil, Walsh (Macfie 60), Mitchell (Mhueka 60)
St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team 1 - 2 Eastbourne Town FC