Match Report
Match Report - 11 Oct 2011, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Pagham
Rangers put up a commendable performance against high flyers Pagham. Rangers can take great confidence in their attacking display but again it was their Achilles heal that cost them as they conceded 4 times. Rangers were in the game right up until the death when Murfin scored his 3rd of the night, he terrorised the make shift home defence all night with his clever runs and was the main overall difference between the sides.
It’s good to see Rangers looking dangerous going forward but they need to stop shipping so many goals. The club are working tirelessly to get new players in and help support the current crop of youngsters. The stand in centre back pairing of Walsh and Akehurst did admirably but they are both carrying knocks and in the end that told.
Rangers did take an early lead when Cooper did brilliantly down the right. With no support he managed to whip in a deep cross which Pamment did well to turn back to Pople who scored from close range. Pagham did not sit back and pushed immediately for an equalizer which came soon after. Then on 30 minutes they took the lead when a deep cross was spilled by O Rouke and Pagham smashed the ball home from 10 yards.
At that point it was an even game and at half time it was 2-1 to Pagham, Rangers having 2 shots and Pagham 3.
The second half saw a lot more from Murfin and Pagham. Three times his clever runs got him into positions but his finishing let him down. At the other end Rangers still looked dangerous but couldn’t quite find a back in to the contest. Rangers replaced the tiring Rose with Perry & Mheuka for Pamment to give some more energy.
Pagham were awarded a penalty which O Rouke did brilliantly to save but Murfin was first to it and increased the visitors lead. Cooper then had to be replaced with Arnoux and he should have had a penalty when a tug back went unnoticed as he burst into the box. At the other end Pagham may also have been awarded a penalty, both were not awarded.
Akehurst was now really struggling with his hamstring injury, Walsh and Clarks legs were sapped of all their energy having put so much effort in. But with no subs left they battled on to the end to their credit.
Rangers were thrown a lifeline when Pople was brought down and stepped up to smash home a penalty. They had the visitors on the rack for 5 minutes as they seemed to panic. But as Rangers legs failed and they pushed forward Pagham broke a scored in injury time to secure their deserved victory.
Team: O Rouke, Brown, Akehurst, Walsh, Dodd, Cooper (75 mins Arnoux), Pamment (72mins Mheuka), Rose (62 mins Perry), Pople, Clark, Barnes. Not Used: Pinnock, Collins
Yellow: Brown, Pamment, Walsh
St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team 2 - 4 Pagham