Match Report: Kirk Deighton Rangers 2 v 0 Kippax FC

A failure to finish off teams nearly cost Rangers against Kippax, but with time running out, Jake Little smashed in a beauty from the edge of the area to not only secure the three points but register his first senior goal.

With Jonty Smith not fit to take his place between the sticks, Lewis Mallinson made his second start of the season. Mason Sheridan -Hawley and Jack Holliday also were named in the starting XI as Dan Marshall went for an attacking line-up.

There was only a minute on the clock when Jack Holliday pounced on a loose pass and forced the Kippax keeper into making his first save of the match.

Playing on the last defender's shoulder, Jack Holliday released Ash Tatler, who moved down the left-wing. Finding Josh Barden, his flick towards goal was blocked by a defenders leg.

Kippax produced some lovely touches in the middle of the pitch and spread the ball across to both flanks well. However, like Rangers, it was that final ball that caused issues and Deighton's defence was able to clear.

James Woodward scores with a shot from the edge of the area.

It took a combination of keeper and defender to deny Jack Holliday as he beat the offside trap. However, he was stopped from getting a clean shot away by a determined tackle by a sprinting defender.

Controlling a high pass, Barden rolled the ball into James Woodward's path, and the midfielder beat the keeper with a low drive from the edge of the area in the 8th minute.

Deighton's wing play was proving successful, and some lovely link-up between Sheridan-Hawley, Barden and Luke Dubery allowed Joe Wilks to have a shot from distance that went over.

A free-kick for Rangers was well controlled by Tatler who's hooked shot over a defender, and the keeper just cleared the crossbar.

Rangers were playing some delightful football, but they came up against a strong Kippax defence who were making a mockery of their league position. Two superb blocks by the keeper denied both Tatler and Rob Holliday.

Kippax played themselves into a shooting position just outside the Rangers area, but no-one was willing to shoot, and Dubery was able to take the ball away from the player.

Barden was continuing with his good form, and some clever footwork in the area took him around several Kippax players, setting himself to shoot, he put the ball past the keeper, but also the post as well!

Awarded another free-kick in a dangerous position found Dubery at the far post, but his header was collected by the keeper.

Half-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 1 v 0 Kippax FC

Mallinson was called upon to make his first save in the 47th minute when Dubery's clearance ricocheted back into the path of a Kippax striker. Coming off his line quickly, he caught the ball to stop the danger.

Kippax's keeper pulled off another fine save as Rob Holliday jinked off the wing and his curling shot was well dealt with by the custodian with Tatler closing him down.

A swift break gave Kippax another chance, but again Mallinson was quickly off his line to smother the ball at the feet of the attacker.

The build-up play from both teams was impressive to watch, but the final ball was causing problems, and both teams were left lamenting missed chances.

A good pass by Mallinson to Jack Holliday allowed the winger to stride down the pitch. Finding Wilks, the captain let fly with a shot that went just wide.

A double substitution for Rangers saw Little and Craig Hall replace Jack Holliday and Sheridan-Hawley in the 60th minute.

Little showed off his skills on when he set Rob Holliday away, pulling back his pass, Barden's shot was blocked on the line by a defender and the keeper.

Barden was again involved in the next move as his trickery on the ball allowed him to find Little at the back post. Attempting to fool the keeper with a rapid near-post shot, his effort went just wide.

Breaking through Rangers defence, the Kippax player rounded Mallinson, but his shot went wide with John Large perhaps putting him off as he arrived on the line.

The visitors were enjoying a prolonged period with the ball, and as Rangers failed to clear, their winger nipped in, but Mallinson was alert to the danger and pushed the shot wide.

Little was having a great game since his introduction, and he held off his marker and swung in a cross that Tatler diverted just wide of the far post with the keeper beaten.

Marshall introduced the returning Harvey Ribbons into the fray on 73 minutes, replacing Tatler.

With a minute to go, Jake Little scores his first senior goal.

The attacks were coming thick and fast for Rangers, but despite Hall and Holliday putting in some superb crosses, they couldn't be converted, despite Wilks and Barden both coming close.

Ribbons nearly added to Rangers total when he latched onto a long pass and went one-on-one with the keeper, shooting under the keeper, his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far post as well.

Finally, the second goal arrived in the 89th minute, and it was a superb shot by Little from the edge of the area that rocketed past the diving keeper and into the net. Within seconds, the striker was engulfed by his teammates to help him celebrate his first senior goal.

Full-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 2 v 0 Kippax FC

Match report by KDRAFC Media

Team: Mallinson, Turley. Sheridan-Hawley, Large, Dubery, Holliday.J, Woodward, Wilks, Barden, Tatler, Holliday.R. Subs: Little (Holliday. J 60), Hall (Sheridan-Hawley 60), Ribbons (Tatler 73) Unused: Bhandal.

Goals: Woodward (8), Little (89)

Sin-Bin: Rangers (none), Kippax FC (none)

Yellow Cards: Rangers (none), Kippax FC (none)

Red Cards: Rangers (none), Kippax FC (none)

Referee: Mr Jimmy Price.

The Bennett & Fountain Electrical Wholesalers Man of the Match award winner: James Woodward.