Rangers Res 6 v 0 East End Park Res

KDRAFC Media
May 16, 2021
4 min read

Following last weekend's narrow defeat to league leaders Leeds Modernians, Rangers needed to respond, and they did It in style, putting in a superb performance to leave East End Park Reserves shell shocked.

Manager Kris Macdonald had laid down the challenge pre-match to start winning and aim for the top two places, and his team didn't disappoint, scoring four by half-time!

The match was only four minutes old when Jack Cheetham controlled Phil Turner's pass, cut into the area and buried his shot past the keeper.

The visitors tried to mount an instant response, forcing Rangers back into their half for several minutes. However, they couldn't find a way to trouble Mitch Moore in goal, and the closest they came was a long shot that sailed wide.

Driving into the area, Dominic Walton was fouled. Despite allowing play to continue, the referee saw no advantage and awarded the penalty, which Dan Flynn dispatched with ease after fourteen minutes.

Match Photo — Dan Flynn scores from the penalty spot against East End Park Reserves.

East End Park tried to reduce the arrears, but a sliding tackle from Craig Hall stopped their advance down the left-wing, and the follow up was caught by Moore.

A low cross from Cheetham evaded Flynn and the keeper before finding Turner. Getting the ball under control, the winger unleashed a curling shot that the East End custodian had to dive to his left to divert. Minutes later and a free-kick was hit first time by Ben Challenger, but his shot spun just wide of the post.

A quick counter-attack saw a low shot deflected clear by Moore's outstretched foot, and he was called into action again minutes later to sprint off his line and clear under pressure.

Rangers regrouped and reapplied pressure, and both Turner and Walton shot just wide of the target before Cheetham slid in to divert Turner's cross past the goalkeeper from close range in the 38th minute.

It was game over in the 40th minute when Charlie Yates applied a deft touch to loop Cheetham's pullback over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Half-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves 4 v 0 East End Park Reserves

Rangers started the second half on the attack, and Mike Tasker’s header came close to making it five when he rose highest at a corner.

With the returning Josh Bhandal already replacing the industrious Walton, Kieran Arnett replaced Tasker on 50 minutes.

As in the first half, East End Park enjoyed a spell of possession. However, they were unable to breach a stubborn backline, and in the end, a long shot forced Moore into making another good save.

Back on the attack, a long ball from Hall picked out Arnett, and his looping cross fell to Yates, who was nudged off the ball just as he was about to shoot.

With Rangers comfortably on top again, the shots began to rain down on East End Park’s goal, and both Hall and Arnett had efforts that went either wide or straight at the keeper.

Woodward showed how to do it when he scored the pick of the goals in the 63rd minute. Collecting the ball outside the area, and with no tackle forthcoming, the tenacious midfielder unleashed a trademark thunderous shot that had the keeper grasping thin air as it rocketed past him.

Changing attacking options in the 66th minute, Sean Dawson replaced Yates as the spearhead in the attack, and soon after, Ross Park came on for Cheetham.

Dawson nearly made it six in the 72nd minute when he got to Turner’s pass in the centre of the area. Hitting a first-time shot, the ball went just past the post.

It was becoming shooting practice for Rangers as East End couldn’t clear their ranks, and Woodward shot a couple of feet over the crossbar before Bhandal placed his strike wide.

Deighton introduced their final sub in the 80th minute when John-Paul Williams replaced Turner down the right-wing.

Williams was straight into the fray when he picked out Dawson with a teasing pass. Trying to beat the keeper to the ball, the striker was a split second behind the custodian, and he cleared down the pitch.

With the match in the 88th minute, Bhandal rounded off the scoring when he controlled Dawson’s low pass and fired past the keeper from inside the area.

The action wasn’t over as the game entered added time, and Park dribbled into the area before being tackled from behind. However, the referee waved play on despite the many protests from all around him.

Full-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves 6 v 0 East End Park Reserves

Verdict: A super match to watch for the goals alone. The manager made his intention to the team clear and they responded. James Woodward doesn’t score simple goals, and it was great to see four other players also get on the scoresheet as well. The difference today was that the team started well and took the game to East End Park.

Squad: Moore, Hall, Sheridan-Hawley, Tasker (Arnett, 50), Challenger, Woodward, Walton (Bhandal, 45), Cheetham (Park, 69), Yates (Dawson 66), Turner (Williams, 80)

All Subs Used.

Yellow Cards: Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves - None

East End Park Reserves - None

Red Cards: Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves - None

East End Park Reserves - None

Results: 15 May 2021

Leeds Modernians Res 0 v 4 Altofts FC Res

Pool AFC Res 3 v 2 Overthorpe Sports Res

Tingley Athletic Res 2 v 0 Rothwell Juniors Res

Wetherby Athletic Res 2 v 6 Brighouse Sports Res

Bar Three Man of the Match: James Woodward

Matchday (and Man Of The Match) Sponsor

Bar Three is a fantastic wine bar and eatery in Wetherby, who are exceptionally proud of their delicious homemade food, made with locally sourced ingredients.