Rangers were dumped out of the FA Vase at Western League Welton Rovers 4-1 on Saturday. The score, howe4ver, does not reflect the game when we had the lion’s share of the game in the second half and had enough chances to take the game to penalties at least.
We started with five at the back but never looked totally at ease as the home side took advantage of a strong wind at their backs and dominated posession and following bumerous corners they finally took the lead on the half hour when, for once we failed to pickup their central defender who rocketed in a header at the back post. The game was then to change on a controversial decision. After a slight melee the referee picked up the ball and dropped it to the feet of a Welton player, our lads stopped playing, expecting the ball to be played back to our keeper but they went on to score and the goal stood, correctly according to The Laws of the Game but what about the spirit of the game? Worse was to follow in the next few minutes when Joe in goal appeared unsighted as a long distance drive found the bottom corner. Right on the stroke of half time Jordan Lovibond almost pulled a goal back but his close range header at the back post just wenet wide.
Rangers pushed Greeno into midfield for the second half and we began to get more control playing some cultured football, but then, against the run of play a ball dropped kindly to the home striker who was left in the clear to score, probably Welton’s only shot on target in the second half. Danny Baily who came on for the injured Jack Bryant then rattled the underside of the bar before pulling a goal back following a slick free kick move. Beechy headed just over from the six yard box and then a Jack Mills header was well saved by the keeper who also brought off a great save from a Langers effort. But it was not to be as Welton held on comfortably in the end to progress in the competition..
Good luck to our opponents when they face Elburton Villa in the next round. They looked after us as well as they could bearing in mind the Covid restrictions. The pitch and the facilities were first class and a credit to the Club.
Manager Clive Jones was obviously disappointed with the result but not with the effort his side put in. “Unfortunately we were not at full strength due to work commitments and suspensions but I could not fault the lads for effort. Hopefully we will be in a better position for wednesday’s game at Bovey Tracey although we will definitely be without the two Joe’s, Moore and Chamberlain who are suspended and Jack Bryant took a knock which must render him doubtful.”
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