Match Report
Match Report - 15 Oct 2011, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Lingfield
Rangers will rue their missed chances as they fell to another defeat. Overall they controlled the game and their slick passing game saw them create numerous clear cut chances but it was the home side who were more clinical.
The visitors can aggrieved by the scoreline as they were the better side for long periods of the match but again failed to defend simple situations. The home side were more vocal to the referee and this also saw a lot of decision go against Rangers.
The home side had the first chance when from a right wing corner, Oatkins unmarked headed straight at O Rouke.
Rangers had started well and created a few half chances with Pamment, looking back to his best, shooting just over and Pople missing from close range.
Against the play Lingfield took the lead with some poor defending. A needless free kick was conceded near the right corner which was drilled low in to the Rangers box. A slight touch saw it trickle in off the far post. Rangers failed to put up a wall to stop the ball being put in their box and then no marking was apparent.
Rangers battled back and played some excellent football with Cooper and Pamment the driving force behind everything decent. Mheuka added some control up top and linked the midfield well, also producing some sublime pieces of skill.
Perry was also having a lot of joy down the right, 5 times he got outside the full back but each time poor crossing and good defending thwarted Rangers. On the fifth occasion Perry was adament he had been brought down in the box. Mheuka then produced a bit of magic to beat two players but his close range shot was smothered. Pamment then again went close and Cooper also had an excellent run.
Pamment was then stamped on and whilst receiving treatment Rangers failed to drop a player deep. Lingfield took the quick throw in and Rangers failed to deal with a long ball. It beat the defence far too easily but the finish from outside the box was clinical.
It was a killer blow for Rangers but before the half time whistle they still had chances to open the scoring.
After the re start Lingfield had their best spell as Rangers started slowly. Barnes was caught in possession and Walsh stumbled allowing Lingfield a great chance to increase their lead which they failed to take. Minutes later an even better opportunity went begging as Rangers clung on.
They got themselves back into the game as the half wore on, Pople went clean through but fired well wide, then a close range header just went wide. Pople had another chance but mishit his effort and the defender somehow spooned the ball over this own bar.
Perry, switched to the left was again looking dangerous and having a lot of success and he set up Mheuka who went close. Cooper then had a long range effort saved. At the other end Walsh just headed over his own bar and O Rouke made a wonderful finger tip save.
Sub Arnoux then went through but mishit his effort, before crossing deep to the far post where the unmarked Pamment scuffed a shot in to the keepers arms from just 6 yards.
Lingfield wrapped the game up when a slip from Walsh enabled a simple tap in.
Rangers never gave up and continued to create chances but could not beat the 6ft 8 in giant keeper. They ended with 10 men as Akehurst had a re occurence of his hamstring injury,.
A 3-0 scoreline was very harsh on Rangers who now turn their attention to a massive game on Tuesday.
O Rouke, Dodd, Brown, Walsh, Akekurst (sub 85 mins), Cooper, Barnes, Perry (Rose 76 mins), Mheuka, Pople (69 mins Arnoux), Pamment
Lingfield 3 - 0 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team