Report: Featherstone Colliery 0 v 7 Rangers

KDRAFC Media
Nov 1, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Nov 2, 2020

Rangers take the lead through Jake Little.
A superb second-half performance sees Roman Neal score four.
Dominic Walton and George Widdows also get on the scoresheet.

A devilishly suitable Halloween performance saw Rangers produce tricks and treats and unleash all their frustrations of two recent defeats on Featherstone, as a 1-0 half-time lead ended as a frightful (but delightful) 7-0 rout!

Rangers showed their intentions as early as the first minute when a driving run and cross by Harvey Ribbons travelled through the area with blue shirts pouring forward to try and get the crucial touch needed.

With a fierce wind blowing across the pitch, Joe Palmer showed safe hands to rise above a Featherstone attacker to clam a high swirling cross.

There was a cohesion about Rangers that was noticeable from the off and the interplay between the ranks was superb. Accurate passes released both Little and George Widdows however, their attempts were blocked by a resolute Featherstone defence.

Despite being on the defensive for the majority of the play it was Featherstone who caved the best chance when a header hit Palmer's post, and Ribbons cleared close to the line.

Enjoying a period of possession, the hosts forced Luke Dubery to produce a diving block at the near post, before a back-heeled shot needed Palmer's intervention.

Featherstone survived a strong penalty shout when Little was shoved to the ground, but the referee didn't see the foul and play continued.

It was Little who gave Rangers in the lead in the 20th minute with a shot from outside the area. Winning a tackle, he spun his marker and rifled a right-foot shot past Featherstone's diving keeper.

Both teams had substantial claims for penalties turned aside by the official with Featherstone's shout against Josh Bhandal and Ranger's request that Neal's shot was deflected by the hand of a diving defender overruled.

Match Photo — Jake Little twists his way past the Featherstone defender.

A break down the right saw Featherstone advance on Rangers' goal, but quickly off his line, Palmer forced the attacker to shoot wide.

A goalmouth scramble almost led to Rangers doubling their lead. A corner from Josh Barden nearly picked out his brother, but it spun to Neal whose flicked shot was blocked and came to Widdows. A pass to Joe Barden was rolled into Neal's path again, but this time his shot was saved by the keeper.

The wind was causing issues, and Featherstone's keeper had to turn aside crosses that he would attempt to catch. However, Rangers were unable to capitalise on this despite Widdows and Little trying.

Half-Time: Featherstone Colliery 0 v 1 Kirk Deighton Rangers

The second period commenced with the injured Rob Holliday replaced by Dominic Walton, and his first involvement was to intercept a dangerous pass into Deighton's area.

Rangers were under pressure, and Palmer had to show some nifty footwork to sprint out of his goal and clear under pressure. Moments later, Dubery, who was having an excellent game, forced the attacker to rush and shoot wide.

Back on the front foot again, Walton picked out Widdows in the area, but his turn and shot went over the crossbar.

Rangers passing went up a notch, with the Barden brothers heavily involved. Winning a throw-in from another pass that needed intercepting, the ball found its way to Walton on the edge of the area, and he swept his shot into the far corner in the 56th minute.

Walton almost repeated the feat a couple of minutes later after Little chipped the ball into Walton's path. A one-two with Neal ended with Walton's shot just cleared the crossbar.

With Rangers turning the screw, Widdows shot just wide before Roman Neal took over goal-scoring duties. Collecting the ball in the 62nd minute on the left of the area, he drove to the byline before dribbling past three players and slamming home from six yards.

Deighton made their second substitution in the 65th minute with Jack Loudoun replacing Little to make his first-team debut.

Two minutes later Neal celebrated his second goal when he fired home the rebound after his original shot had been well saved.

Featherstone couldn't cope with Rangers' play, and Neal secured his hat-trick in the 71st minute after Josh Bhandal's pinpoint cross was turned past the keeper from close range.

With the final substitution of Jake Bollon replacing Conor Buckley, Josh Barden flashed a shot wide before his free-kick was collected by the keeper under pressure from Widdows.

Not content with three goals, Roman scored his fourth in the 81st minute when he got to Josh Barden's corner to knock it into the net.

With the referee looking at his watch, Widdows got the goal his performance deserved. Latching onto Bhandal's pass, he shot past the beleaguered Featherstone custodian from just inside the area.

Final Score: Featherstone Colliery 0 v 7 Kirk Deighton Rangers

In Review: I'll leave this one to Ben Lawrence - "A pleasing performance from the lads, but one I always knew we were capable of. It’s easy for people to talk when you have a couple of defeats, but I told the lads it's important to trust the process and keep playing the game the way we like to. The key is enjoyment, you are always going to get setbacks along the way, but as long we keep the enthusiasm and enjoyment, we will never be far away from our final goal.
We have a great club with great people behind the scenes and players throughout all three teams who are capable of playing and doing a good job for any of our teams. It was very pleasing that three reserve players stepped up, fitted in well and put in good shifts. This is a real credit to the reserves."

Match report by KDRAFC Media

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