Dirty, Dirty Rangers,
With every match a must win to secure the title Southwick Rangers were not to be taken lightly.
The regular back line of Sutton, best, Boxhall and Patrick in front of Coleman in goal. But the changes were rung again in midfield with Mike back on the Left wing after two weeks out injured, and the inform Alex switched to the right wing , with Matt and Aaron in the middle Philippe partnered Pete up top.
The game started well for View with Rangers unable to keep possession they quickly resorted to long ball which played in to Views hands as we are bigger and quicker. View we the opposite of Rangers using the good playing surface and width of the pitch to exploit the lack of pace and movement of Rangers and some good runs and early ball from mike nearly paid off. The familiar story of poor shooting saved Rangers twice in the early moments, with Philippe missing twice. Alex was also at his best coming off the wing and skipping round challenge after challenge and even managing to miss the kicks out of the easily out classed Rangers.
The opening came when after good work form Mike on the left wing, when he found Philippe and Philippe turned and skinned two Rangers and played it to Pete who ran the left channel well and then cut in and played it for the on rushing Aaron who blazed the ball in to the top right, form the edge of the box.
Shortly after Mike came off with a reoccurrence of his injury to be replace by Dan. Hopefully Mike will be back with enough time to be fit for the final.
The second came soon after when the ball was lose in the area for Pete to pounce, Pete showed he skills in the build up by controlling a difficult ball and holding off a Rangers defender and cutting the ball behind the Rangers defence for Alex ton shoot, the rangers were not able to clear the their lines properly and as the ball broke free Pete scored his customary tap in by being Jonny on the spot.
The third should have came from the spot but Antony’s effort was saved by some fine keeping and the follow up was tucked away by Philippe, only for the ref to award a free kick for encroachment on the penalty!!!
Obviously the ref does not watch any football what so ever or read about it… as any man, woman and child will tell you it’s a retake after the Lampard episode when he re took the spot kick three times for the very same reason.
Rangers were not out of the game and continued the long ball method which almost played dividends by bouncing over the Daz after he came for a long ball fortunately the ball went wide and View were let off the hook. Daz was called in to action again when Levi misjudged a header and allowed the striker in behind, this time Daz came out quickly and made an outstanding save to keep View two up. Daz was showing that in the occasional game he is required that he is up to the task, in the only other real chance Rangers had in the half the ball was played in behind Stuart and crossed early this time Daz was down at his near post to stop the effort.
The half eneded 2-0 View but we knew we were in a game.
The second half started with Rangers dominating the game, the pressed and pressured Views midfield in to many mistakes and we were unable to get our passing going. Rangers seemed to lack the cutting edge upfront and didn’t manage to get many shots off despite playing the majority of the game in the View half. View were certainly on the back foot but still seemed the more likely to score with Aaron clearly boyed by his effort in the first half, he shot from range with every chance he got rather then pass it but unfortunately dragging them all wide… first one must have been luck!
Alex was also still killing Rangers who had resorted to trying to injure him to stop him! The ref really should have sent off at least one of Southwick Rangers players for swearing and for aggressive behaviour if not for dangerous tackles, following a direct free kick given for the keeper handling a throwing directly.
The free kick provided the second penalty of the game which stirred Rangers in to frenzy and then Rangers wanted to make the game a fight, once Rangers players had picked up their handbags and realised they didn’t wanna get beat up as well as beaten the game continued. The following penalty was clinically finished by Philippe.
The game continued but rapidly deteriorated into a physical contest full of late and dirty tackles, the final goal came when Philippe was released form the half way line and out powered the decent but lumpy centre back for Rangers and slotted home in a style similar to something you might expect Levi “Beta” Best to do.
We got the win but not the performance, harder games lay ahead boys, and we still have a lot do despite Vista loss.
Notable mentions:
Daz: Brilliant saves Shocking decisions… lol
Alex, Pete, Philippe: good team work guy keep it up and the double is on.
