Match Report
Match Report - 22 Nov 2011, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Three Bridges
Three Bridges made light work of Rangers to secure their 13 consecutive win. Despite not playing at their best Bridges still had far too much quality for the home side and should have won by a much more convincing scoreline but they found home keeper Rob Gordon in inspired form.
Playing 3 up top and bursting with pace Bridges created numerous chances in the opening period. At times it was a Gordon v Bridges show and the Rangers keeper was superb in helping keep the visitors out.
Rangers defence were far too scared of allowing space in behind which meant they sat too deep, resulting in their midfield having far too much space to shut down. That allowed the likes of Carney acres of space to play and pick passes, as Rangers never got near the Bridges midfield 3. Chance after chance came and went as Rangers rod their luck, with a missed open goal the closest.
Another groin injury to Djamaludin, meant Walsh had to drop back in to centre half and he did well once again in the back 4.
Despite all their domination and chances it was a gift of a goal that finally broke the deadlock. From a scramble at a corner and another fabulous save Dodd miss kicked on the line and the ball trickled home.
The second half was a similar story but at least Rangers did offer a little more going forward. Again Gordon on 4 or 5 occasions denied Bridges the chance to extend their lead and as long as it remained nil nil there was always a chance for Rangers to sneak a point. And that chance came near the end when ex Rangers keeper Lehkyj spilled a routine shot and from 2 yards Rouanne ballooned the ball over the bar.
Rangers have now failed to score in 3 games and never looked likely to tonight. The front players too often ended up facing their own goal and offered no pace or ability to stretch the Bridges back line, who found it extremely comfortable. Without front runners offering chance to stretch the game our midfield only had 1 option and overall their passing was abysmal, time and again gifting the ball away. That resulted in an overworked back 4 having to defend more and more, which they did well.
A 3 minutes spell in the second half summed up Rangers failure to do the basics right and keep possession. Somehow Bridges won a corner from a Rangers throw deep in Bridges territory, they then had a shot after a break from a Rangers corner and then a long punt from Lehkyj was missed by all resulting in a free kick on the edge of the Rangers box.
The failure to do some of the simple basics right combined with the fact the Bridges players were stronger, fitter and sharper meant they thoroughly deserved their win. At times it did look like men against boys and although Rangers players never gave up, they really need to step up the gears if we are to get ourselves off the foot of the table which looms soon.
Team: Gordon, Barnes, Djamaludin (Rouanne 15 mins), Walsh, Dodd, Dube, Cooper, Griffin, O Neil, Perry (75 mins Pople), Clark (60 mins Romain)
Man of the Match: Gordon, stood firm against an onslaught
St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team 0 - 1 Three Bridges