Match Report
Match Report - 14 Oct 2008, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team beat Oakwood
Tuesday 14th October 2008
Oakwood 1 – 3 St Francis Rangers
Sussex County FA RUR Cup Round Two
Match Report by Gary Lomas
When the ref blew his whistle at half time, it was amazing how the match was still 0-0. Rangers dominated from the kick off and Sam Jeremiah could have had a hat-trick within the first 20 minutes. Jeremiah first watched a volley tipped over and then his header from a Maynard corner went over the bar and he saw his third attempt on 20 cleared off the line. Dan O’Farrell also missed from 6 yards in the opening 10 minutes and then Maynard hit the bar with a free kick. Oakwood had very little to offer up front and it really was a matter of time as to when Rangers would go in front. Terry Gacias and Iain Wood dominated the middle of the park and Jake Forward was a constant menace all night down the right and his cross on the half hour mark was fired wide by Wood. Jeremiah then missed another guilt edged chance from a Forward pull back. Rangers were guilty at the weekend for missing their chances and it looked like they might suffer again when Hunter headed into Simon Lehkyj’s arms on 40 minutes. Rangers full backs, Butler and Djamaluddin saw plenty of the ball out wide and there was really good over lapping and when Butler put Maynard away with a one two, his cross eluded everyone.
Sam Jeremiah was replaced at half time by Chris Cook and he was doubtful before the kick off as he had not recovered from a heavy cold. The 2nd half started exactly the same as the first half with Rangers in the ascendance they finally got the break through on 53 minutes. Chris Maynard picked the ball up deep in his own half and went on a strong run and eventually slid Jake Forward through on goal and he made no mistake. Credit must go to Sam Palmer as he made a great run to pull apart the Oakwood centre halves. 4 minutes later it was 2-0. Sam Palmer saw his effort saved at the near post and the rebound was only cleared out to Iain Wood who delivered it back into the box and Chris Cook volleyed in from close range. Rangers 3rd came only minutes later after a great run and cross from Butler was volleyed home by Sam Palmer. Dan Bryan saw this as a chance to change things around and he brought on Russ Harris for Sam Palmer and Geoff Pitcher for Iain Wood. Pitcher was instantly in the thick of it and was unlucky with a delicate chip from the edge of the box and then moments later he fired over from a free kick. Chris Cook and Russ Harris were running the Oakwood defence ragged and when Cook was upended in the box, the ref waved play on to everyone’s amazement. Russ Harris had the ball in the net twice when through on goal but on both occasions was ruled off-side. With only minutes to go, Oakwood got a consolation goal when Attwater headed home after Simon Lehkyj failed to claim a cross.
“It was a very confident display with only our finishing letting us down.” Said Bryan. “I thought we played some good football and we got at them right from the off.” “Ben Palmer and Dan O’Farrell looked solid at the back and I was really pleased with their concentration considering they were out of the game for long spells. If we can take this display into Saturday’s trip to Eastbourne, I fancy our chances.”
Rangers: Lehkyj, Djamaluddin, Butler, B.Palmer, O’Farrell, Gacias, Wood, Forward, Jeremiah, S.Palmer, Maynard. Subs: Cook (45 Jeremiah), Harris (61 S.Palmer), Pitcher (65 Wood), Slaney & Turpin unused.
Oakwood 1 - 3 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team