Rangers (ST) 2 v 3 Pool AFC Reserves

KDRAFC Media
Sep 30, 2022
3 min read

For the second weekend in a row, Rangers pulled themselves level from two goals down, but also for the second time in a row, it proved not to be enough, and Deighton finished the game on the losing side.

Deighton suffered from another sluggish first half, and this would cost them a place in the second round of the League Trophy, as Pool AFC Reserves took full advantage to race into a two-nill lead by half-time.

Winning a free-kick outside Pool's area, Rangers looked to strike first through Brad Spencer. However, his shot went over the crossbar and hit the camera behind the goal.

A long ball from Danny Wort saw Liam Dean throw himself at the pass to divert it past the Pool keeper, but despite stretching, he couldn't find the extra inches needed.

A misplaced pass in Deighton's defence was intercepted by the Pool striker. Crowded out of progressing forward, his only option was a snapshot which went well wide.

Pool came back into the game, and several team moves pinned Deighton back. Rangers responded with a break down the right-hand side, but Connor Weal's shot was blocked, and James Woodward's follow-up was pushed wide by the keeper.

An unnecessary foul at the corner of the area led to Pool opening the scoring in the 17th minute. After indecision from the official about the wall placement, the free-kick was lifted over them and beyond Kieran Arnett's dive into the far corner of the goal.

Dean nearly pulled Rangers level again in the 20th minute when his curling shot from outside the area went just agonisingly over.

Chances started to flow from both teams, and Arnett had to pull off two superb saves to deny Pool. Up the other end, a promising move was ended by the referee's whistle, indicating that Jack Hancock had moved too early: a decision that did not go down well with the Rangers crowd.

An early change due to injury saw Woodward replaced by Aiden Wilder. However, Pool struck next as another unneeded foul gifted the visitors a free-kick just outside their area. This time, Deighton's defence failed to pick up all the attackers, and the free man reached the cross and steered his shot past Arnett.

Another offside decision against Hancock left the striker shaking his head in disbelief and, as before, did not go down well with the Rangers crowd, who wasted little time in letting the official know.

With the half in the final five minutes, Arnett had to come out to meet the striker who had broken free of the defence, diving at his feet, he forced the Pool man wide, and his shot went behind the goal.

Half-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 0 v 2 Pool AFC Reserves

Rangers started the second half with another change as Sam Cotterill replaced Dubery, who had picked up an injury.

Showing more conviction in their play, Rangers forced Pool back, and a ball from Work picked out Spencer. Playing in a curling cross, Hancock met it with a header but could only place it over the bar.

A block tackle on Wort allowed Pool to break, but Arnett pushed the shot wide.

In the 50th minute, Rangers reduced the deficit when Hancock picked up the ball on the far side of the area, cut across and released a curling shot that beat Pool's keeper.

Pool tried to restore their two-goal lead, but the Rangers' defence stood firm and eventually, the ball ended up behind the goal.

Rangers' injury curse struck again as Weal was assisted off the pitch to be replaced by Andy Wort, returning after his own injury problems.

Another contentious offside decision against Hancock again left the referee in little mind as to what the home crowd felt. This decision was hard to take as the youngster had clearly started his run behind the defender, but the official saw otherwise.

It was all square in the 62nd minute after Spencer produced a moment of magic to lob the Pool keeper from the edge of the area.

Pool's keeper was called into action in the 65th minute when Spencer pulled the ball back to Max Bladen. Hitting a fierce shot, he watched as the custodian smothered his effort.

Having not learnt from the first two goals, Deighton fell behind again from another free-kick. Not picking up their opponents quickly enough allowed the Pool player to pick his spot and shoot home from inside the area.

A scramble in Pool's area nearly led to Cotterill scoring, but he stabbed his shot wide under pressure from two defenders and the keeper.

With the game in the final seconds, Pool were grateful for the metalwork as Cotterill, who had broken free of the defence, beat the keeper but not the crossbar.

With Rangers on the attack through Wilder, the referee blew the final whistle.

Congratulations To Pool AFC Reserves, who progress into the next round.

Full-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 2 v 3 Pool AFC Reserves