Match Report
Match Report - 06 Sep 2011, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Redhill
An experimental Rangers side were knocked out of the John O Hara cup at the first hurdle against a strong Redhill side. With only 2 players retained from last weeks league match, where Rangers nicked a point, it was ironically a much better performance despite their defeat. It leaves Kieran Collins with some big decisions on who to select for next Saturdays FA Vase game at home to South Park.
Redhill had the better of the opening 30 minutes and tested keeper Wesley Harris with a couple of long range efforts but the debutant did well to get his body behind the ball on a slippery surface. Rangers looked fairly comfortable and kept the ball much better than in recent weeks.
Rangers could just not find the right killer pass to take advantage of the front excellent runs. Pople and Martingave Rangers a better cutting edge than in recent weeks. Cooper was superb in midfield, always offering an option off the ball. Mheuka played an unfamiliar role along side Cooper and had a good game, showing his strength. He loves shooting and had 4 long range efforts himself in the first period, unfortunately none were on target!
Duke was hit by the Rangers centre half injury curse when he limped off with a hamstring injury after just 30 minutes. His replacement Ryan Daniels then saw a goal within a minute. A long, deep diagonal ball sent away the Redhill forward from just inside the half and his pace took him clear, coolly slipping the ball home. The player did look a couple of yards offside but took his chance well.
Before Rangers could re establish themselves Mhueka was penalised on the edge of the box. Harris spilled the resulting shot and Redhill went 2 up with a simple tap in as Rangers failed to react.
2-0 was a fair reflection of the opening period but Rangers can take credit for their second half display. Stu Brown and Jay Dodd both had excellent games at full back and got forward more as the game went on. This helped create better pressure up field allowing the defence more time to recover. Davies had a much better game at the heart of Rangers defence but they conceded a 3rd after an hour to put the game beyond doubt. Mhueka gave away possession deep in Redhill territory and within 4 passes the ball ended up in the visitors net.
To their credit Rangers continued to battle hard and that was the last chance Redhill created. Pete Martin hit a long range effort that the home keeper tipped over the bar before Walsh gave Rangers hope by heading home a fantastic Perry cross. Pople then had 2 headed chances before Walsh missed an open goal near the end.
Final Score 3-1.
MOM: Cooper just shades it from Peter Martin for his non stop midfield display
Team: Harris, Brown, Dodd, Duke (Daniels 30 mins), Davies, Cooper, Mhueka, Macfie (60 mins Walsh), Perry (82 mins Akehurst), Pople, Martin
Redhill 3 - 1 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team