Match Report
Match Report - 02 Aug 2011, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team drew with Burgess Hill
Burgess Hill 1 Rangers 1
Another good test for a young Rangers side. The home side were unrecognisable from last year, only Watts and Day remain.
Russel Eldridge had a strong game for the home side and his experience will be essential for them this season to help get the best out of a very young side. The similarities between Rangers and Saints can be seen,lots of youth which means a lot of potential but also a lot of inconsistency.
The Hillians dominated the opening exchanges as Rangers didn't really get in to their stride early on. Slack passing gifted the home side possession too often and allowing Hillians players too much time on the ball
Mcnaboe made 3 excellent saves to thwart each of the Hillians front runners, to keep Rangers in the contest.
As the half wore on Rangers got a foot hold in the game and Pople had 2 good chances to open the scoring, the first firing wide and then Christie making a fabulous save low down to his left.
Dodds let fly from 30 yards but failed to keep the shot down. Rangers were failing to play and close down as a team, playing as individuals.and this meant a dis jointed first half for Rangers ended 0-0.
6 half time changes saw a big improvement and Rangers dominated the first 30 minutes of the second period. The front 2 starting position enabled better pressure and Hillians, in particular day, were guilty of giving away possession cheaply in deep positions.
This enabled Macfie to win possession and he went through but pulled his shot wide.
Minutes later Hillians again lost the ball after good pressure high up the pitch and a swift interchange between Perry and Walsh saw the later hit a corker on the diagonal from 25 yards. The goal seemed to lift Rangers and when Perry went through he looked destined to increase the lead but a lack of composure saw his effort go well wide.
Rangers passing was much improved and they looked more threatening. Perry was having a big influence down the left after his introduction.
Hillians wide players were not tracking back and this allowed Macfie to make some excellent runs in behind the home back 4. Unfortunately the Rangers players continued to hold on to the ball too long and they never made the most of the opportunities.
Rangers made 2 more substitutions and Mheuka made an immediate impact, hitting shot which Christie turned round the post.
Mheuka looked good and did all the simple things well but at present his fitness lets him down. Hopefully a good month of training will see him sharper and fitter, pushing for a regular first team place.
Daley Clark had an influential second period and slid in Pople but he was just offside. From the free kick Hillians sent a 50 yard ball over Dodds, who was caught wrong side. A first time cross was sent across the Rangers goal and evaded 3 players and ex Rangers player and Hillians sub Pete Martin slotted in at the far post.
Hillians looked stronger in the final 15 minutes, Martin having a good impact for the home side. They had a couple of chances to take the lead but good blocks and poor finishing saw the game finish 1-1.
Burgess Hill 1 - 1 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team