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| Wye
Rangers (29/01/2006) 2005 - 2006 Season, Hithercroft Youth  The lack of referees resulted in Darren Keen, the Wye Rangers’ manager, taking charge of this game, Pam Ife running the line for Hithercroft. The weather was dry and sunny but there was a very chilly wind. The overnight frost had melted in the sun leaving the ground sticky. Hithercroft were missing three of their players (Matt Seaton, Leon Read and Dougie Carswell) whilst Richard Vere, in spite of swollen neck glands (suspected mumps), turned out and Jermaine Young returned from a long absence following injury. The game was late in starting (10.56am) but the first goal came in just 28 seconds when the Rangers’ John Little raced down the middle of the field between the two centre backs and put the ball into the net. On the 3-minute mark Hithercroft’s Baz David sent in a high corner-kick and Alan McKie rose up on the edge of the 6-yard box but headed the ball just over the crossbar. Two more corners followed in quick succession for Hithercroft, the second saw Loz Dunn send the ball across to Baz who had his back to the goal; he turned and hit a shot that hit the left-hand post. In the 8th minute Loz sent one of his long throws to Baz who then ran through the Rangers’ defence, side stepped the keeper and struck the ball into the net to level the score. Four minutes later Wye Rangers restored their lead when John Little again went through the middle and sent the ball past Matt Hedges into the Hithercroft goal. The Wye keeper pulled off a good diving save when Baz sent a low corner-kick to Richard whose crack at goal was headed for the back of the net. However, after 26 minutes Baz sent in a shot from a free-kick that had been awarded following an opponents handling the ball about 40 yards out. The ball hit the crossbar and dropped down for Paul Morgan to hit the ball home, levelling the score to 2-all. Nine minutes later Baz flicked the ball forward to Jermaine Young and he, in turn, crossed it to Tyrone Francis but Tyrone’s on-target shot was pushed wide by the Rangers’ keeper. In the 39th minute Hithercroft took the lead for the first time when Loz sent the ball through the defence, Baz rounded the keeper and hit the ball into the net. After just 60 seconds John Little repeated his earlier two successful moves to bring the score-line to 3-3. On 41 minutes David Blackman sent a long ball down the middle to Baz, who evaded a defender and hit a shot that was pushed round the post by the diving Rangers’ keeper. From the resulting corner-kick Baz’s high ball was headed out to Jermaine Young who pushed it on to Tyrone. Tyrone’s shot was blocked, the ball rebounded to Jermaine who volleyed the ball just wide of the left-hand post. The second half got under way at 11.46am with Hithercroft now taking their turn in playing into the sun. Seven minutes into the half Rangers brought on their No14 to replace No2 in defence. Jermaine tried a header from a Baz free-kick but the keeper denied him of a goal, leaping up to push the ball clear. In the 59th minute Rangers took the lead once again with John Little repeating his move between the defenders. Hithercroft then began to put the Rangers’ goal under pressure but were denied by the keeper blocking or punching the ball clear. Tyrone needed attention in the 70th minute to a leg injury after being brought down but was able to resume following treatment. Three minutes later the Rangers’ No.1, Mark Newell, turned into the right corner of the 18-yard box and rocketed a shot towards the top of the Hithercroft goalmouth. Matt Hedges jumped and got his hand to the ball but was unable to prevent it from dropping behind him and rolling into the net to give the home side a 5-3 lead. Four minutes later Hithercroft pulled one back when Paul sent the ball just inside the right-hand post after receiving the ball from a throw-in by Loz. The visitors made two substitutions in the 80th minute sending on Peter Morgan to replace Jamaine Warner in defence and Jamaine Humphrey to replace Richard Vere. Five minutes later an off-side flag against Hithercroft led to a heated reaction both on and off the field but order was restored after a short delay. Four minutes of stoppage time was added on but there was no further scoring and so Wye Rangers ended up 5-4 winners. Hithercroft have still not regained their pre-Christmas form and need to take maximum points from their final two games of the season (away to Fleece Res. and Cressex Club Res.) to gain promotion for next season. Wye Rangers scorers: John Little (28secs, 12m, 38m, 59m) and Mark Newell (73m) Hithercroft scorers: Baz David (8m, 37m) and Paul Morgan (26m, 77m) Hithercroft M.o.M: Baz David Hithercroft team: Matt Hedges (GK), Richard Vere, Alan McKie, Jermaine Young, Dan Birch, Jamaine Warner, David Blackman, Tyrone Francis, Loz Dunn, Baz David and Paul Morgan. Hithercroft subs: Peter Morgan and Jamaine Humphrey |
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