Match Report
Match Report - 23 Sep 2008, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team lost to Three Bridges
Tuesday 23rd September 2008
St Francis Rangers 0 – 1Three Bridges
Sussex County League Division 1
Match Report by Gary Lomas
After banging in 4 goals at the weekend, what Rangers would have given for a goal against Three Bridges in a game they probably did enough to take something from. The only goal of the match came in the 2nd minute from a free kick. Dan O’Farrell was pleading his innocence and when Bridges took a quick free kick, Nathan Davis was on hand to fire home form close range. The next 20 minutes was 100 miles an hour and saw Rangers argue with one another. For all of Bridges possession, they never looked likely to run away with the match and it was Rangers who nearly equalised when O’Farrell hit a 30 yarder which came back to safety off the up right.
After letting the game flow for 20 minutes, the referee decided to take centre stage and stop the game for any slight infringement and in the process made 7 cautions. When Rangers did have good possession Bridges were always a threat on the counter and their Skipper, Dean Carden riffled a shot against Lehkyj’s post on the half hour. Rangers showed one real moment of class in the 1st half with good quick passing only to see Elliott Butler shoot over from just inside the box. Right on the stroke of half time, Rangers thought they had equalised when Dan O’Farrell’s header was dropped by Mark Fox in the Bridges goal but it was cleared off the line before Jeremiah could tap it home.
Rangers made a change at half time with Sam Palmer replacing Ian Breeds and his twin Ben was in the action a few minutes later when he replaced Luke Leppard. They instantly linked up well and forced a corner. At the other end, Davis got in behind the Rangers defence but watched his chip float wide. Rangers had a real go at Bridges and they left themselves open at the back but fortunately Bridges failed to take any of their chances, the closest they came was a 35 yard speculative volley which hit the bar. O’Farrell twice went close with headers and Sam Jeremiah headed narrowly wide from a Sam Palmer cross. Late on Chris Maynard was unlucky with a dipping volley which Fox pushed over the bar and at the other Davis once again rattled the Rangers bar when through on goal.
“We started poorly but I was pleased with the reaction of the players after going behind so early”, said Bryan. “We gave them a real test in the 2nd half and I think we probably deserved something from the game but it wasn’t to be”.
Rangers: Lehkyj, Leppard, Butler Djamaluddin, O’Farrell, Pitcher, Gacias, Breeds, Jeremiah, Gault, Maynard. Subs: S.Palmer (Breeds 45), B.Palmer (Leppard 53), Slade (Pitcher 65) Harris & Turpin unused.
St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team 0 - 1 Three Bridges