Match Report

Square Rangers 1 Watling Saints 2

Saturday 29th September 2007

Square Rangers produced a magnificent performance that deserved to take away at least a point, but came away in the end with nothing but pride in pushing last season’s Cup winners right to the final whistle with some scintillating football.

The home side scored early on when Nathan was unlucky to be out-jumped by their centre forward after Ryan parried a rasping drive up in the six yard box. However Rangers gradually started to then impose themselves especially in midfield and force the Watling defence on to the back foot. Rangers’ forwards Johnny Clarke and debutant Peter Remon combined well and were both unlucky as was Joe Evans and Tom Gee when faced with good goal scoring opportunities. The Watling defence ably assisted by a very good goalkeeper denied Rangers the equaliser that their good work deserved and ensured that Rangers went into the break 1-0 down.

Both sides started strongly in the second half and the work rate of Jack Sullivan and Spencer Park in the central midfield area made sure that the pressure was kept up in the Watling half. Again Rangers were able to carve out openings in the Watling defence, and then almost mid way through the half that equaliser came courtesy of a dangerous in-swinging corner taken by Joe Evans that appeared to go in straight from the kick. The match then took on Cup-tie proportions as all supporters became absorbed in the high quality of football that both sides were performing. Rangers were very unlucky not to go ahead when the Watling Keeper again performed fine saves from Johnny, Joe and Peter. Despite all the boys’ endeavours for that elusive second goal it was the home side however that delivered the fatal blow late in the game to give them all three points.

Summary:

Abdul Parkar made a comment at the end that he had seen no better Square Rangers performance and with so many positives to take from the game. We were that good, but so too were Watling Saints as it takes two very good performances to create such a spectacle as this match. Well done to every player for serving up a real treat for the watching managers and supporters.

Highlight of the match:

It would have to be the spirit that the match was played in, with both teams fully committed in a tense atmosphere it was noticeable that all players allowed their football to do the talking and gave no problems for the referee. Square Rangers’ handling of a cruel defeat was very professional and illustrated the wonderful spirit in the camp!!