Bramhall Rangers 10 Monkhouse Gladbach 11
Close, but no cigar!!
The return of Mini heralded a change in the attacking fortunes for the Rangers this week. After nine weeks out, Mini took to the astro in an outfield role, eager to put some of the past performances to bed. In one of the most balanced teams they had fielded for sometime, 3 attackers and 3 defenders made up the 6 outfield, and Pie was the third keeper in recent seasons, nursing an ankle injury.
The team consisted of Pie, Mr T, Shiz, Nev, Piggy, Mini and a workmate of Shiz's, Abrar who proved a very tricky customer and was a key in the Rangers improved performance. Rascle, Belly, Dr Holland were the regulars who were once again absent.
The opposition this week were newbys Monkhouse Gladbach who had had an equally poor start to the season. It would turn out to be a very close game.
Admittedly the Rangers started poorly. Gladbach looked a yard quicker and managed to quickly get into a comfortable lead. 3 or 4 up with no reply and it seemed like deja vu. But, Rangers battled away and managed to register. Mini picked the ball up on the edge of the area and stabbed it through the keepers legs. It came as a welcome relief after so long without him scoring. It breathed life into the Rangers and how they only managed 1 more before half time is anyone's guess. Abrar grabbed that goal, arriving midway through the first half, his touch and skill created a few opportunities, one of which he took. All players were guilty of missing chances, Mr T shooting across the face of the goal and crashing a shot off the woodwork after good work by Mini.
The half time scoreline was very harsh on the Rangers. 8-2 it was, but so many chances had gone begging.In a stark contrast to previous weeks though the Rangers remained calm and collected, only managing to introduce ourselves to Abrar in the half time break. Rangers came out flying and linked up really well. Defending strongly and breaking from the back. Abrar grabbed 2 or 3 more and Mini also registered his hatrick, stearing home from a Pie throw out and lashing in through a crowd of players.
Piggy notched a goal too, and after so many chances had been narrowly missed it was deserved, tapping in off a rebound from a Mini shot. There was a bit of a collapse midway through the half and Monkhouse did increase their lead after a bit of poor defending and lack of communication. Pie was equal to most but some of the shots swerved and dipped ferociously. Taking Mini's lead and saving with the face was also a highlight of the game!
The two goals of the game came from Abrar (turning and weaving on the edge of the area and deftly finishing into the bottom corner), and Shiz (!) with a lovely finish on the half volley after an excellent team build up.
Due to the nature of the game, and the concentration levels, no-one new how close it was. Maybe because the Rangers were playing with no pressure they freed up a bit. It was only after the final whistle that we found out there was one goal in it. The ref admitted he had played 1 minute extra to see if we could equalise, as he thought we had played really well and deserved a point.
Alas, it wasn't to be, but a much improved performance, admittedly helped by Abrar, but even in spite of that the Rangers can be happy with their performance. Definitely more positives than negatives!
Final score: Rangers 10 Monkhouse Gladbach 11
Goals: Abrar (5), Mini (3), Piggy (1), Shiz (1)
The return of Mini heralded a change in the attacking fortunes for the Rangers this week. After nine weeks out, Mini took to the astro in an outfield role, eager to put some of the past performances to bed. In one of the most balanced teams they had fielded for sometime, 3 attackers and 3 defenders made up the 6 outfield, and Pie was the third keeper in recent seasons, nursing an ankle injury.
The team consisted of Pie, Mr T, Shiz, Nev, Piggy, Mini and a workmate of Shiz's, Abrar who proved a very tricky customer and was a key in the Rangers improved performance. Rascle, Belly, Dr Holland were the regulars who were once again absent.
The opposition this week were newbys Monkhouse Gladbach who had had an equally poor start to the season. It would turn out to be a very close game.
Admittedly the Rangers started poorly. Gladbach looked a yard quicker and managed to quickly get into a comfortable lead. 3 or 4 up with no reply and it seemed like deja vu. But, Rangers battled away and managed to register. Mini picked the ball up on the edge of the area and stabbed it through the keepers legs. It came as a welcome relief after so long without him scoring. It breathed life into the Rangers and how they only managed 1 more before half time is anyone's guess. Abrar grabbed that goal, arriving midway through the first half, his touch and skill created a few opportunities, one of which he took. All players were guilty of missing chances, Mr T shooting across the face of the goal and crashing a shot off the woodwork after good work by Mini.
The half time scoreline was very harsh on the Rangers. 8-2 it was, but so many chances had gone begging.In a stark contrast to previous weeks though the Rangers remained calm and collected, only managing to introduce ourselves to Abrar in the half time break. Rangers came out flying and linked up really well. Defending strongly and breaking from the back. Abrar grabbed 2 or 3 more and Mini also registered his hatrick, stearing home from a Pie throw out and lashing in through a crowd of players.
Piggy notched a goal too, and after so many chances had been narrowly missed it was deserved, tapping in off a rebound from a Mini shot. There was a bit of a collapse midway through the half and Monkhouse did increase their lead after a bit of poor defending and lack of communication. Pie was equal to most but some of the shots swerved and dipped ferociously. Taking Mini's lead and saving with the face was also a highlight of the game!
The two goals of the game came from Abrar (turning and weaving on the edge of the area and deftly finishing into the bottom corner), and Shiz (!) with a lovely finish on the half volley after an excellent team build up.
Due to the nature of the game, and the concentration levels, no-one new how close it was. Maybe because the Rangers were playing with no pressure they freed up a bit. It was only after the final whistle that we found out there was one goal in it. The ref admitted he had played 1 minute extra to see if we could equalise, as he thought we had played really well and deserved a point.
Alas, it wasn't to be, but a much improved performance, admittedly helped by Abrar, but even in spite of that the Rangers can be happy with their performance. Definitely more positives than negatives!
Final score: Rangers 10 Monkhouse Gladbach 11
Goals: Abrar (5), Mini (3), Piggy (1), Shiz (1)
posted by Mini at 9:53 pm
3 Comments:
I thought I scored by doing a 1-2 with the side boards and taking it to the keeper and putting it through his legs. Then went crashing into the boards again. Then I helped up the keeper, but I could be wrong.
You are. You scored after Mini, then yourself had a shot saved by the keeper and you tapped in the rebound.
Good performance generally though - we were unlucky not to be a couple of goals up before they scored.
Just a spell of poor concentration in either half cost us ultimately. Never mind...
great result considering. 11-10 loss is MUCH better than usual. And looking at purely the scorers the difference was getting mini back finally! much welcomed to the strike force! and of course having fresh blood. Lets just say if we want to end this run (14 games since our last win), then we need to drop rangers and get ringers! But then, if we want the wins like that, will we be rangers anymore?
Rascle
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