Loss To Devonport Drops Rangers to Third.
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| Devonport's Chris McKenna in front of Rangers, Declan Cuschieri |
This week’s game versus Devonport at Valley road was always going to be a crucial clash in the premiership race, and with Northern Rangers and Devonport Strikers only separated by a single point, the stakes were even greater.
Rangers were still without Mark Ambrose and Stefan Jago through injury, but Chris Hunt made his return to the side from the bench this week.
Devonport were at full strength and started new signing Robby McDonald up front with Chris McKenna.
The match started with a frantic pace, and both teams created good opportunities. The midfield battle was interesting and tight, and Derek Schipper continued his purple run of form along with Todd Hingston and Scott Murray looked well at home in midfield, picking up plenty of touches and distributing well.
Some well built chances for Devonport made for some scary moments in defense for Rangers, but Sam Luck and Declan Cuschieri were in good form and managed the strength and pace of Mckenna and McDonald respectively for the most part. Cuschieri made some brilliantly timed and anticipated challenges throughout the game.
A free kick opened proceedings when a quick kick was taken catching Rangers off guard, the shot was deflected and sat for Ashdown to fire into the net from 10 yards out directly in front.
Rangers responded well and started to become hungrier in midfield and when a neatly placed lob for Scott Murray was missed by everyone including the keeper Rangers were back on level terms when the ball ended in the back of the net.
With a 1all half time score, Rangers were going to have to finish their chances in the second half to overcome the Devonport outfit.
The chances came for Rangers, some one on ones and opportunistic shots from outside the area, but they wouldn’t go in the back of the net. Chris Hunt was introduced for Gabriel Tams who took a knock, Hunt’s impact was evident with some dangerous approaches down the left. At one point he cut into the box and defeated two defenders but couldn’t quite get the deftly touch required to squeeze the ball past the keeper. Andrew Nicholson too combined well but all in all Rangers couldn’t convert the chances.
Devonport did at the other end, and Chris Mckenna pounced on a loose ball to send it home and put Devonport into the lead after 80 minutes.
Rangers pushed forward to try and find an equaliser, but by sending men forward, left themselves exposed and Devonport closed the game off thanks to a fine finish from Daniel McGinn.
Rangers beaten on the day in what was a fine display of Northern Football, no one in the ground could say this was a poor game, in fact it was a classic battle at the top of the table.
Rangers down but not out, and Whitemore urged the group to keep their heads up despite the setback.
Adam Whitemore said after the game “I'm sure the players are as frustrated as I am. It was a game we controlled and never looked like losing. Ultimately we gave away an awful first goal while we were dominating, and didn't get a winner when on top.
I can't fault the players (first goal aside). Intensity was great, the ability to keep and pass the ball under pressure was as good as I have seen. We didn't quite click in the last 3rd, but 1 goal should have been enough.
It wasn't unlucky. We need to be clinical and disciplined and leave no room for chance. Too many cheap free kicks after we had spoken about just that, it led to a goal against the run of play.
Scott Murray was excellent in a very good overall performance. It's all about the score line though.
We certainly won't be feeling sorry for ourselves. Its the beauty of the game ,the better team doesn’t always win. Cutting out the margin for error increases the chances, we didn’t do that.
Well done to Devonport. It was a high quality, enjoyable game. We move on. “
