Match Report
Match Report - 17 Dec 2011, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team drew with AFC Uckfield
Rangers 1 AFC Uckfield 1
Guess what, Rangers drew!
This week it was a point gained as Rangers failed to meet the level of performance shown in the past month.
With Aaron Walsh ruled out with a back injury, Rangers brought in Jake Forward to a 5 man midfield. They started brightly and Luke Leppard showed what he is about when his pace and determination got him clear down the right and his shot was well saved.
Rangers bright start evaporated as the team failed to work the transition from a defensive and attacking unit, leaving Leppard isolated up top. This invited pressure and AFC Uckfield dominated the 1st half, both in terms of possession and territory. AFC were much sharper and quicker and won far too much 1st and 2nd ball in the first half, putting Rangers on the back foot. They had 6 decent crossing opportunities but each time Rangers managed to defend well, with Rob Gordon again impeccable.
The visitors probably regretted not having taken advantage of the first half dominance as half finished goalless.
Both teams switched to a 4-4-2 formation and it enabled Rangers to perform much better. They finally managed to get their passing game going and they took the lead with a neat move. Carruthers spread the all left and O Neil delivered a deep cross to the far post where Gacias headed home, with the keeper possibly making it a bit too easy.
Leppard pace was a constant threat but he was well marshalled by Harris, excellent on his first outing for 8 months until picking up a yellow for a cynical foul.
Rangers possession enabled them to get a foothold in the game and they created a couple of good chances to extend their lead. It also took the pressure off the defence as they played in the AFC Uckfield half.
AFC brought on Macdowell and Swancroft and their pace up top gave Rangers back 4 something different to defend. Not long after coming on Macdowell picked up a yellow card for a foul
A clever ball inside saw Dodd sleeping but a fabulous tackle by Carruthers denied Macdowell. From the resultant corner Harris hit a great shot which hit Gordon square in the face but the ball fell to Swancroft who rammed it home. The goal unsettled Rangers for a few minutes and AFC could have taken the lead but twice Gordon denied Macdowell and Swancroft.
Macfie came on for Pamment and Pople for Forward as Rangers tried to get some impetus and win the game. It helped as they created two good chances but a brilliant last ditch tackle on Macfie denied him a clear goal scoring chance.
Rangers had one last chance to win it but the keeper saved and then in injury time Macdwell picked up a second yellow for dissent. The game finished 1-1 and Rangers must now win on Tuesday to stand any chance of staying up.
Team: Gordon, Dodd, Carruthers, Charker, O Neil, Pamment (70mins Macfie), Cooper, Forward (73 mins Pople), Leppard, Gacias, Clark
MOM- Clark, gets better every week and showed some team mates what it meant
Goal – Gacias 65 mins
St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team 1 - 1 AFC Uckfield