Report: Altofts AFC Reserves 1 v 0 Rangers (ST)

KDRAFC Media
Oct 2, 2022
4 min read

When the footballing Gods are against you, you know about it! Rangers produced some impressive football at Altofts only to fall to an 86th-minute contentious penalty that saw the hosts snatch the win and will hopefully serve as a lesson to Deighton to take chances!

With a squad of fourteen, including the manager and assistant, it was a relief to welcome back the experienced pair of defender Jacob Bollon and striker James Flynn.

Challenged to start the game positively, Deighton did just that when a long goal kick by Kieran Arnett freed Jack Hancock until a defender did enough to put him off.

A series of free kicks distributed to both sides saw defences put under pressure, with the closest either side coming to scoring was Hancock's header straight at the keeper from an acute angle.

Hancock was causing Altofts all sorts of issues with his movement. After a few obligatory was he/wasn't he offside calls, a through ball from Andy Wort saw him pivot round his marker and bear down on goal, only to see the keeper's outstretched foot divert his shot wide.

Altofts switched their focus of attack to down the middle of the pitch but found Bollon and Ben Barraclough in a battling mood, as the pair produced a series of headers and tackles to halt the host's advances.

A flowing move from Deighton saw Max Bladen pass to Hancock, and his cross was met on the half-volley by Aiden Wilder at the far post, but his shot was wide.

A corner in the 31st minute nearly saw the opening goal arrive when Hancock produced an overhead kick to keep the ball alive. Judging the ball's flight as it dropped, Bollon shot low, but it went wide of the far post by a foot.

With cries of 'It's coming soon' following them as Deighton attacked again, James Flynn thought he had worked the breakthrough when his shot/cross beat the keeper but landed on the roof of the net.

Altofts reminded Deighton that they were still a threat when they won a couple of free kicks after some unnecessary fouls. Thankfully after last weekend's defeat to Pool AFC Reserves, Rangers looked to have learnt their lesson and defended well.

The best chance of the half fell to Hancock when he reacted quickest to the indecision shown by the Altofts' keeper after he failed to collect Dan Flynn's free kick. Despite trying, the striker couldn't connect with the ball to stab it home, and his second shot rebounded off a defender in the six-yard area.

Rangers finished the half with Bladen's shot going over after a move involving at least half a dozen blue and white shirts.

Half-Time: Altofts AFC Reserves 0 v 0 Rangers (ST)

Deighton was forced into a change at the break when defender Danny Wort, who had been dictatorial in both defence and attack, suffered an injury in the closing minutes and couldn't continue. Alex Wooler took to the pitch in his place.

It wasn't long before Deighton worked the ball into Altofts' area, and Hancock's shot was blocked again by resolute defending. This time the rebound fell to Wilder, who had to take it the first time at an awkward height and could only lash it over.

With every chance Rangers spurned, Altofts visibly grew in the belief that they could nick a goal themselves, and a dangerous free-kick that travelled through the area would have put Deighton in trouble should a red shirt have gambled.

Aidan Dubery wasted little time getting into the action moments after replacing Barraclough. Picking out Phil Turner with his cross, Turner's shot went narrowly wide of the far post.

The hosts enjoyed a spell of possession, and a header towards the back-post needed clearing close to the goal line. Minutes later, Rangers allowed the Altofts player to have an unchallenged header that went over from a corner.

Chasing down what looked like a lost cause, Dubery recycled the play, and his cross was deflected clear of both Hancock and James Flynn.

There was no doubting that Altofts were making a game of it, especially in the middle of the pitch. Drawing a foul, they hit a curling free-kick that Arnett had to dive to his left and force away from goal.

Rangers won a free-kick in a dangerous position, but unlike the Altofts strike, Dan Flynn's shot slammed into the wall. Minutes later, Bladen picked up the ball outside the centre circle and drove forward, but his shot cleared the crossbar.

As a goalless stalemate looked likely to be the outcome, the footballing deities intervened. Turner's challenge was deemed illegal by the referee, who awarded a penalty. With Rangers arguing that he had won the ball and Altofts countering by saying that he had connected with the player first, the referee stood by his original decision, and the outcome was that the penalty was scored down the middle with Arnett going to his left.

Rangers had one final chance from a free-kick just outside Altofts area. Despite beating the wall, Dan Flynn's delivery was too close to the custodian, who lay on the ball long enough for the referee to bring the game to a close.

Full-Time: Altofts AFC Reserves 1 v 0 Rangers (ST)