Rangers fightback to win well!
All credit to the hosts and their strong side, who wanted it more than our boys on the night, and they played some lovely football to win the day. We started well, but generally were bullied and out enthused,as Ranger ran out deserved winner. When up against big physical sides we just need players to stand up and be counted a little more. This result shouldn't take away from the boys effort over the course of the season, we have competed well, and just come up a little short. Considering the rise of three divisions on last season, perhaps our final positioning isn't too much of a surprise. We certainly know where we need to improve on for next season.
Game started well enough, and two goals from the skipper meant we were in a very good position. First goal, came when Dylan put in a good throw for Elliott who put in a good header which the keeper could only parry and Elliott following nicely put away the rebound from a tight angle. A few minutes later a nicely worked short corner, led Elliott to finishing expertly from a tight angle. We also went close on a number of occasions. At the other end, Rangers hit the post, and Joseph made a very smart save with his legs.
Second quarter and with the slope, Rangers were much the stronger side, with wave after wave of attacks, the ball again hitting the woodwork and Aaron making a couple of saves. A nicely worked goal made it 2-1. We struggled to get into the game as Rangers were winning all the balls, Joseph and Elliott did some nice passing at times, and Josh was involved in a very good passing move, out couple of chances just went wide and one long shot saved.
Third quarter and this time with the slope we should have been looking to capitalise, but we were hit on the break early on, the striker for once turning Sam and finishing well. We just didn't create enough opportunities, but did go close from corners, Sams shot just being deflected wide, while Elliott again went close. End of third 2-2.
Fourth quarter and we were hit three times in quick succession, some nice play from the Rangers but we were just not at the races, heads went down too easily, and it was one of our poorest quarters of the league season. Elliott again was our main attacking threat, his best opportunity again just going wide of the post. Final Score 5-2. On reflection the busy schedule over the last week may have caught up with us tonight, as the boys did look a little tired.
That's the league season over, and we now focus on the Cup we have a quarter final on Sunday, and if we can find the form from Sundays game and the first quarter tonight then we should do well. Heads up boys, lets train well tomorrow and lets end the season on a high and try to get a final place. Plenty of positives to come out of a tough campaign, and you should all be proud of your efforts over the league season, the easy option would have been to drop down to a lower league, but we stood up and were counted in a very hard league full of quality sides.
For man of the match, again Elliott had another strong game, he never stopped working and was our main threat going forward and so gets both the opposition coaches and my choice as man of match. Notable other mentions Joseph stepped in well to keeper position, passed well at times, and made some brave tackles but head went down too easily, Dylan similarly started really well involved in both goals good passing, but again need to keep head up for full 50, and Sam really up against it made a lot of strong tackles.
Lets go Tornadoessssssssss!!!
