Pool AFC Res 0 v 3 Kirk Deighton Rangers Res

KDRAFC Media
May 22, 2021
4 min read

It may not have been the prettiest match to watch, but a workmanlike performance by Rangers was enough to inflict a sixth defeat on Pool AFC Reserves.

With five minutes on the clock, Rangers had already forced a couple of chances, but Phil Turner's shot and Ben Challenger's header went over and wide.

A ball by Jack Cheetham released Kieran Arnett, but his shot lacked power, although the Pool keeper needed two attempts to claim it.

The game already felt like it was likely to be a scrappy game as both teams misplaced passes and traded tough tackles in the centre of the park.

Arnett headed Cheetham's cross into the path of Dawson, but his snapshot went just wide.

Riding several challenges, Brad Spencer surged into the area. Shooting from a narrow-angle, his effort was saved by the keeper.

Match Photo. — Phil Turner is just beaten by the goalkeeper.

Pool launched their first attack as a long throw landed in the Rangers area. Standing firm, however, Challenger and Mike Tasker were able to clear the ball.

Rangers took the lead from a corner when Rich Jenner out-jumped a defender and steered his header into the back of the net in the 20th minute.

A curling free-kick from Arnett was flicked over the keeper by Tasker, but the Pool defender at the back post managed to clear.

A strong tackle by Ross Park denied Pool a clear run on goal before a free-kick just inside Deighton's half bounced through Mitch Moore's area and out of play.

Pool were enjoying a good spell, and it needed a sliding tackle from Dan Flynn to stop the danger.

A foul on Arnett allowed Spencer to float in a free-kick which Challenger won, but his looping header was caught by the keeper.

Half-Time: Pool AFC Reserves 0 v 1 Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves

Pool started the second-half on the attack, but Ross Park and Challenger blocked their progress. Coming back down the pitch, Spencer beat his man on the left-wing and delivered a cross which bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Cheetham was causing Pool plenty of problems, and another burst into the area saw his shot juggled by the keeper, who just managed to palm it over Arnett's leg as he went for the follow-up.

A clever shimmy from Turner set him sprinting down the right, and his cross just missed Arnett's foot, but the striker had done enough to distract the covering defender who could only divert the ball into his own net after 51 minutes.

Pool launched another dangerous free-kick into Deighton's area, but just like in the first half, no one had gambled, and it sailed past Moore's post.

Another run down the right by Turner provided the third goal in the 57th minute when he crossed for the unmarked Spencer to power home from close range.

The hosts won a series of corners which Rangers struggled to deal with, but the home side couldn't capitalise, and the final header was off-target.

Dawson thought he had added to the score when he latched onto Spencer's pass and drove into the area. Shooting towards the near post, the Pool keeper pulled off a smart save and diverted the ball wide.

As Pool stopped to claim for an offside that the referee wasn't interested in, Arnett reacted first and lifted his shot over the keeper, and unfortunately for Rangers, the bar as well.

A barrage of shots from Rangers nearly provided the fourth goal when Spencer's pullback ricocheted off several players before Tasker's deflection was well saved by the keeper. Only clearing as far as Cheetham on the edge of the area, his shot was headed clear.

Tasker was heavily involved in the next move when he intercepted a weak clearance. Hitting his shot on the turn, the keeper dived to his right to stop it.

Determined to try and pull a goal back, Pool attacked down the right, but the shot crashed into the bushes behind Moore's post.

A surging run from Flynn released Spencer, and his dipping shot from the edge of the area rattled the post again, with Turner firing the rebound wide.

The final action of the match saw John-Paul Williams (who had replaced Park) pass to Arnett, who in turn found Spencer with a deep cross. Playing the ball into Turner's path, the winger was frustrated to hear the referee's whistle pulling him back for being offside.

Full-Time: Pool AFC Reserves 0 v 3 Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves

Verdict: Not our best game, but we did enough to get the points. The second half was certainly a lot more enjoyable than the first, and there are some good partnerships emerging which can only benefit the club as a whole.

Squad: Moore, Park (Williams, 80), Flynn, Challenger, Tasker, Cheetham, Jenner, Dawson, Turner, Arnett, Spencer.

Yellow Cards: Pool AFC Reserves - None

Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves - None

Red Cards: Pool AFC Reserves - None

Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves - None

Results: 22nd May 2021

Altofts Res 2 v 0 Wyke Wanderers Res

Brighouse Sports Res 2 v 2 Tingley Athletic Res

Leeds Modernians Res 9 v 0 Overthorpe Sports Res

East End Park Res P v P Rothwell Juniors Res

Bar Three Man of the Match: Jack Cheetham