Match Report
Match Report - 29 Nov 2008, St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team drew with Pagham
Pagham 1 – 1 St Francis Rangers
29 November 2008
County League Div. One
On a miserable, drizzly November day, on a pitch that was showing signs of wear, it was surprising that the conditions did not affect the good standard of football played by both teams. Pagham were second in the league at the start of play, level on points with leaders Eastbourne Utd. Assn. but ended the match as new leaders, thanks to Eastbourne surprisingly losing 1 – 0 at home to lowly East Grinstead Town.
Rangers introduced U18 Youth Team player Andy Brown for his first start of the season at right back and it turned out to be a memorable game for him in more ways than one. The opening exchanges were fairly even until the 7th minute when skipper Dan O’Farrell cleared Lewis Hamilton’s strong effort off the line for a corner. Two minutes later Pagham’s Rob Wimble set up Dan Martin but his strong shot went wide. It wasn’t all one-way traffic as Chris Maynard set up a good chance for Sam Jeremiah but his shot was parried for a corner by home keeper Rob McLelland on 12 minutes. Three minutes later, Rangers forced 2 corners, the second of which was headed wide by Ben Palmer. On 18 minutes, Ian Breeds was fouled 25 yards out but Phil Gault’s free kick went just outside the right hand post.
Pagham began to have more of the play and started to press Ranger’s defence and on 25 minutes, Simon Lehkyj had to be quick off his line to intercept a dangerous through ball. On 33 minutes Dan Martin put the ball in the net for the home side but his effort was ruled out for offside. Two minutes later, a cross from home striker Michael Frangou was inches away from the boot of Rob Wimble as he slid in to make contact. Rangers relieved the pressure a little when Ian Breed’s cross from the right was headed over by Sam Jeremiah on 43 minutes. From another abortive Ranger’s attack in added time at the end of the half, the left hand side of their defence was caught wide open when home No 6, Jamie Angell, was sent clear on the right and his perfect cross was swept home by Dan Martin to give Pagham a half-time lead they just deserved.
The second half was only 5 minutes old when Dan O’Farrell blazed over the bar from Chris Maynard’s corner and three minutes later Jamie Angell crossed again but this time, Dan Martin headed over the bar. Rangers began to press and Sam Jeremiah’s shot from the right was deflected by a home defender for a corner on 57 minutes and 3 minutes later he was unlucky not to get on to the end of a good cross from Chris Maynard. A minute later Jake Forward broke through from a Phil Gault pass but his strong shot was well saved by McLelland. Rangers were pressing hard for an equalizer and Phil Gault, playing a more withdrawn role, was having an effective game and Andy Brown was showing maturity beyond his years. A corner from Chris Maynard on 63 minutes was just missed by Sam Jeremiah and Dan O’Farrell and 2 minutes later Sam Jeremiah touched the ball to Ian Breeds on the left but he sliced his shot over the bar. On 69 minutes Sam Jeremiah was through on goal again but McLelland was quick off his line and saved bravely at his feet as they collided. Substitute Sam Palmer replaced Ian Breeds on 71 minutes. Pagham forced a corner on 75 minutes but as the ball came over Simon Lehkyj was fouled as he tried to claim the ball in the air. A minute later Chris Maynard’s cross caused panic in the Pagham defence and Sam Palmer was inches away from it as he slid in. Substitute Jason Langston replaced an unusually subdued Terry Gacias on 77 minutes. Pagham nearly scored on 85 minutes when Dan O’Farrell cleared off the line from a corner but this would have been an injustice to Rangers who were having the better of the second half.
On 90 minutes Elliott Butler struck a fine left foot drive that shaved the right hand post but a minute later, from another Rangers corner, Andy Brown scored with a fine strike from just inside the area to earn Rangers a deserved point. Manager Danny Bryan said ‘ I thought we looked comfortable in the first half and restricted them to long balls but both sides played good football on a slippery surface and, even though we left it late, it was a good display that was well worth a point’.
Pagham 1 - 1 St Francis Rangers FC 1st Team