Match Report
Match Report - 10 Mar 2012, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Pagham
On a balmy warm March afternoon Rangers gave high flying Pagham a good test in an entertaining encounter. The first half was very open with chances galore at both ends and although the second was much tighter it still provided good entertainment.
Rangers, already missing 6 players, picked up 4 more injuries in the match and that ultimately was the difference as they simply didn't have enough quality from the bench and ended with Pople carrying on despite an injury with all 3 subs previously used.
Despite that Rangers started strong and created a host of chances but once again they failed to convert with a combination of poor finishing and excellent keeping denying them.
In just the 1st minute Pople had a great chance but his shot was saved after Romain's clever dummy from Pamments pass. The home side also started strongly and on 3 minutes a well delivered free kick saw Temples header fall just wide.
Rangers should have gone ahead on 5minutes. A great turn on the half way sent Pamment through on goal but with only the keeper to beat he stood up and saved bravely.
It was end to end stuff and a weak punch by Gordon under no pressure gifted Murfin a chance which he volleyed wide.
Rangers started to dominate and Clark shot from distance was saved low at the near post. The keeper launched a long kick down field which was missed by Charker and Temple was clean through bit a heavy touch enabled Gordon the chance to collect.
Another slip by Charker saw a long range shot go harmlessly wide, before Pearce also sent in an effort which Gordon comfortably saved.
The game was played at a good pace and only a great cover tackle on Charlie denied him a scoring chance when flicked through by Perry. Walsh matched that perfectly timed tackle at the other end in the penalty area.
A superbly flighted Free kick by Pearce was flicked wide by Murfin before Rangers broke down the right and Pamment cross was saved at the near post. That was Pamment last action as a knee injury ended his afternoon early, replaced by Pat Rose.
Before Rangers could re group a break down left saw Temple cross to Murfin who saw his shot on the turn hit a post. Rangers started to feel the pressure and failed to retain possession, allowing Pagham into the game and making the defence work harder.
Charker was struggling with his hamstring and a lapse saw Temple shoot into the side netting. Gordon then saved at the feet of Temple, who was looking the most influential player on the park.
Rangers did have a great chance to score on the half hour with a great move.Pat Rose turned and laid the ball to the overlapping Dodd, he moved the ball superbly on to Romain who ran through and slipped in Pople. With just the keeper to beat once again he managed to block the effort.
Perry sent over a cross which was just missed by Romain. Cooper volleyed wide before he gave ball from Barnes throw on the edge of his own box. Temple picked up the lose ball and on the turn hit the post again.
Pagham broke the dead lock on 40 minutes when a deep cross was cushioned and Temple clipped home. On the stroke of half time a good save by Gordon kept Rangers in the match.
Charker could not continue and was replaced at half time by Akehurst with Barnes moving to centre back. Having already had a good 45 minutes at full back Barnes excelled in the unfamiliar role at centre back.
Rangers again played well in the second period but without creating as many clear cut chances as the first period. Early on Pople saw a header from 10 yards drift wide and Rangers forced a flurry of corners but they failed to show the desire to get on the end of some decent deliveries.
Rose gave the ball away which sent Temple free down the right, his cross found Murfin but he fired over.
Rose attoned for that mistake with a right footed shot on 59 mins but it was well held. Akehurst finally got forward and forced corner which resulted in a shot being saved.
2 quick subs for Pagham was swiftly followed by Cooper, picking up another injury, being replaced by young Oliver Lambert and Rangers moving to a 4-4-2 formation.
Pople picked up an injury but had to continue with all 3 subs having been used.
With 10 minutes to go a good cross from left was superbly headed home from12 yards by Temple.
Rangers continued to press but they couldn't find the equaliser. Dodd crossed for Pople to head wide, then Romain, who was again superb all afternoon, had a shot on the run well saved with Rose rebound blocked.
Pagham possibly shaded it with Temple the difference between the sides, but maybe Rangers will feel they did enough to deserve a point.
Team: Gordon, Dodd, Barnes, Walsh, Charker (45 mins Akehurst), Cooper (70 mins Lambert), Clark, Romain, Perry, Pamment (22 mins Rose), Perry
MOM: Barnes and Romain, both out standing
Pagham 2 - 0 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team