Match Report
Match Report - 04 Oct 2008, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team beat Lordswood
LORDSWOOD 1 – 5 St FRANCIS RANGERS
FA Vase First Round Proper 4-10-08
By Colin Mansbridge
Rangers second ever match in the FA Vase took them on a trip to the Chatham area in Kent to face Kent Premier League side Lordswood. The hosts had beaten Sussex County League One leaders Ringmer by 4 – 0 in the second qualifying round but were currently at the bottom of their league with no points.
It was difficult for manager Danny Bryan’s team to anticipate the likely strength of the opposition and the game started with a strong wind blowing across the pitch which hampered good ball control. The first exchanges were fairly even with plenty of midfield activity but after 15 minutes Rangers had created at least three good chances with Phil Gault hitting the post and Sam Jeremiah and Jake Forward going very close. At the other end, Simon Lehkyj in goal was untroubled by the home frontline but was fortunate to see a shot from the Lordswood number 11, Nicky Minshell, go sailing over the bar from about six yards out.
On 36 minutes, Iain Wood sent Jake Forward free on the right and the penetrating cross from Forward allowed Sam Jeremiah to guide the ball past home keeper Don Noden to open the scoring. Two minutes later, Chris Maynard flighted an excellent free kick from the left to find Iain Wood arriving at the far post to slot home goal number two. The rest of the first half was uneventful with Rangers defence holding the upper hand.
The second half started quite slowly but it was noticeable that Lordswood had heeded their half-time team talk by being much more aggressive in their tackling. On 57 minutes, Iain Wood fired in a strong shot from 20 yards which went straight at the keeper and a minute later a nice flick on by Sam Jeremiah past his marker set him free on goal but his shot was parried by Noden and Chris Maynard following up, shot over the bar. But Jeremiah only had to wait another minute before he was put through on goal again and slipped the ball past the keeper inside the left-hand post for his second and Rangers’ third goal.
This put Rangers in a dominant position and Terry Gacias, who had played a major role in controlling midfield with Iain Wood was replaced by Geoff Pitcher. The situation became even bleaker for Lordswood on 65 minutes when No 10, Barry Beaney, received a second yellow card and therefore his marching orders. On 66 minutes, Sam Jeremiah was substituted by Sam Palmer and 5 minutes later, Geoff Pitcher chipped a delightful ball towards the right hand corner for Jake Forward to collect and set up Sam Palmer with a tap in for goal number four. On 74 minutes, Ian Breeds replaced Chris Maynard and two minutes later Jake Forward was put clear on the right once again and his cross was put away with a glancing header from Sam Palmer for goal no 5. On 79 minutes Tom Djamaluddin was fouled by a lunging tackle near the touchline by Lordswood substitute Stuart Thorley who was lucky to receive only a yellow by the referee, Babatunde Adebayo.
Rangers could have scored more with chances for Iain Wood, Tom Djamluddin, Phil Gault, Ian Breeds and Dan O’Farrell but on 94 minutes, Darren Bridges scored a consolation goal for Lordswood after a melee in the Rangers’ box. Manager Danny Bryan said that, ‘considering the difficult conditions we were very strong and played with a lot of purpose and belief. It was a great occasion for the club and with 3 wins on the trot our confidence is high and competition for places is increasing’.
Team: Simon Lehkyj, Tom Djamaluddin, Elliott Butler, Ben Palmer, Dan O’Farrell, Terry Gacias, Iain Wood, Jake Forward, Sam Jeremiah, Phil Gault, Chris Maynard, Subs: Geoff Pitcher (Gacias 61), Sam Palmer (Jeremiah 66), Ian Breeds (Maynard 74).
MOM: A good all-round team performance but Jake Forward excelled by setting up 3 of the goals.
Lordswood 1 - 5 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team