Report From Knights Vs Rangers

Northern Rangers had all to play for against Prospect Knights this week, in fact the winner was destined to take over top spot for the week with Devonport taking a week off for the bye.
A big occasion for Derek Schipper who celebrated his 200^th game, and what a match to do it.

Some last minute changes but Rangers had a strong team on the park, losing Stefan Jago but gaining Adam Beard in equal swap.

Knights had claimed to be at full strength and were well and truly up for this clash, if for no other reason than the Knights have failed to beat Rangers in some 9 outings since 2007.

The opening stages proved the Knights resolve to win this match and go to top of the table.  Knights applied high pressure to the Ranger back line, and allowed none of the visitors any space, it was clear that Prospect were going to have a determined crack.  After plenty of pressure it was Knights who took the lead when Ben Croswell muscled through to go one on one with Pooley in goals and he expertly slotted the opening goal inside the opening 25 minutes.

Rangers continued to struggle to get the momentum back and Knights were unlucky to have a penalty waved away by Mark Spicer.

Matthew Sessay almost doubled the lead for Prospect when he won the ball in the six yard box, his shot hit the upright and rebounded into play but was cleared by Sam Luck.  Some one on ones were brilliantly saved by Pooley to keep Rangers in the game. Rangers were still creating chances but could not manage the finishing required to draw back level, and looked in second gear coming out of defense.

Schipper was in tip top form in midfield, and most of the attacks came through him, his foot skills were again magical and slipped past many a Knight with some creative play.

In the last 15 minutes of the half, Rangers fought back into the game, and started to reverse the dominance and re take control, but went into half time a goal behind but with the resolve needed to take the lead.

The second half was a different affair, with Rangers one touch passing getting back to the required level and the intensity at a much higher level.  Knights may have pushed a little too early and struggled to keep the pressure up in the second half.

A beautiful cross came in from the left side of the park and Hingston ran for the back post and headed home the equaliser early in the second half.

Rangers began to grow in confidence and pushed hard for the winner.  With 12 minutes still to play it came when a corner was sent in, it cleared the waiting pack in the six yard box but was sent back in by Patty Lanau-Atkinson, his ball back into pressure found Chris Hunt perfectly balanced on his left foot and he dispatched the shot from close range to help Rangers to the lead.

Knights pushed on for the leveller from here and could have had it on a number of occasions, but Pooley was in strong form in goals this week, and Sam Luck silenced his critics with a masterful display at centre back.

Sessay continued to warn Rangers he could turn the game back, but he was denied by a strong defensive effort this week.

Time ticked on and Rangers had won an epic battle with an old foe.  Another classic, and Rangers continued to hold the wood over Prospect, but only just, on reflection a draw would have been the fair result, but Rangers did what they needed to do to get their nose in front at the end of the game.  Credit to Knights, they are a worthy challenger for the title, and this doesn’t exclude them from the race, a draw or a loss for Rangers quiet possibly would have put the tittle beyond the reach of the back to back champions. 

Adam Whitemore Said after the game "I thought we showed great character to again overturn a deficit. It's been a common trait of ours over the last 2 seasons and shows real mental strength. Knights unquestionably had the better of the first half. They had greater intensity and shut us down quickly. A small, bumpy ground certainly didn't help our ability to keep possession, but we were lucky to go in only one down. We started to take some control in the last 15 minutes but didn't create a great deal.

We made some minor adjustments at half time, pushing our fullbacks onto their wingbacks, and our wide attackers into the space behind. The second half was the opposite of the first, we were the better side, created plenty of chances, and we managed to dominate midfield as they tired. They didn't adjust to the change in the pattern of the game so a second goal was always on the cards.

It was hard on Knights who I thought were excellent, but at this stage of the season it's about winning the tight games, and this was a critical game that neither side could afford to lose.

We will need to play better though. 4 more wins to go."