Match Report
Match Report - 09 Apr 2012, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Hassocks
Rangers 1 Hassocks 3
Ex Rangers player Phil Gault hit a hat trick in the second half to send local rivals to defeat in a game dominated by the officials, cards and penalties.
Despite only 1 poor tackle in the entire game Rangers had 3 players sent off, along with their assistant manager, each decision was correct. However it was the decisions the officials missed which should have also seen Hassocks end with 8 men.
Rangers started much brighter and deservedly took the lead on the half hour when Pamment turned Maynard inside out and his cross was volleyed home on the run by Romain.
It was nothing more than Rangers deserved as they outplayed their opponents. In the celebrations Marsh kicked out at Leppard, who in turn kicked back. The assistant referee decided to miss the first incident and inform the referee to just send off Leppard. It was a deserved red but both players should have gone.
Just when Rangers should have been able to kick on they found themselves with an uphill battle ahead. However they did admirably and continued to push men forward and could have extended their lead. Daley Clark then gave a needless penalty away but Gordon did well to save Gault poor spot kick.
Minutes after the re start Rangers found themselves with a mountain to climb as they were reduced to 9 men. Westlake pulled back and then took a swipe at Dodd in front of the same assistant. Dodd kicked out and again rightly received a red card, however once again the first offender got away with just a yellow.
Rangers were superb in their defienace as they looked to hang on but on the hour Gault got Hassocks level with a well taken goal.
Rangers had to withdraw injured Cooper but with only 9 men on the pitch the assistant referee forgot to allow Pople on in his place so they had to play with 8! Rather than admit their mistake they allowed the game to continue so assistant manager Saunders tried his own method to get a break in play by putting 2 balls on the pitch! He was sent to the stands for this breach which tried to overcome the assistants ineptitude.
Rangers then did have to play the rest of the game with 8 when he was sent off for tugging back Johnson when clean through. The referee did play advantage and Johnson hit the post but he brought play back and awarded a penalty without asking hsi assistants opinion. The offence took place about 10 yards outside the box however it was a red card. Gault this time smashed the spot kick home.
Substitute Cooper then made the only bad tackle as he jumped 2 footed. It should have been red but he was lucky to just receive a yellow.
That should have been 8 players all but once again the decisions seem to go against the luckless Rangers.
The remaining 8 players on the pitch did themselves proud as they kept the scoreline respeactable as only a late Gault strike sealed victory.
The referee was right to send 3 Rangers players off as their indiscipline cost them dear, however Hassocks should have also ended with 8. In fact they could have ended with just 7 if the referee had sent off Marsh for foul and abusive directed at the referee from just 2 yards int he opening minutes. Twice he got away with it, however the Rangers keeper was booked for the same offence near the end. An even referring contest, me thinks not today!!! One rule for one team, a different rule for another. Not blaming any Hassocks players, just the officials.
Any supports watching must have been very frustrated as this ruined what had the potential to be a very good game.
Team:
Gordon, Dodd, Barnes, Akehurst, Walsh, Forward, Cooper (67 mins Pople), Romain (49mins Bryant), Leppard, Clark (80 mins Whiteford), Pamment
MOM: Barnes
Red Cards: Leppard (30 mins), Dodd (49mins), Walsh (62 mins)
St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team 1 - 3 Hassocks