Report: Garforth LG 1 v 1 Rangers

KDRAFC Media
Aug 11, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Aug 28, 2021

A late equaliser for Garforth LG meant that Rangers ended their pre-season campaign unbeaten in the last four matches, but despite not getting the win, Coach Ben Lawrence hailed it, "A good workout against a team that pressed well and showed a great work ethic."

Playing on the superb 3G surface at Fleet Lane, Garforth tried to pin Rangers into their half. However, despite some good tackles, they couldn't press home the advantage, although a deep cross to the back post was headed well wide.

Stamping their authority on the game, Rangers started to push Garforth back, and a flurry of passes nearly freed Jack Loundon, but as the midfielder tried to get into position for a shot, a sliding tackle robbed him of the ball.

With six minutes played, Joe Wilks opened the scoring when he collected a defence-splitting pass, shimmed past his marker and drove into the area. With the keeper closing him down, he found the net via the inside of the post.

Garforth nearly replied from the kick-off, but a dipping shot just cleared Joe Palmer's crossbar with inches to spare.

Rangers were having success beating Garforth's defence with balls over the top, but despite this, they couldn't find the target with Wilks and Josh Barden placing their shots over.

A mix up between Garforth's keeper and defender nearly handed Deighton an own goal, but they managed to scramble it out. Hitting a long shot, Sid Abbott rattled the crossbar before the keeper dived on the ball.

Winning a free-kick outside Deighton's area, Garforth swung in a teasing ball that Palmer punched clear. As it dropped at the edge of the area, a fierce shot flew back but cleared the crossbar.

Rangers thought they had extended their lead in the 40th minute when a long ball from defence freed Jake Bollon. Picking out Barden in the area, the striker forced a good save from Garforth's keeper, who then did enough to put Harvey Ribbons off as he fired the rebound just over.

Half Time: Garforth LG 0 v 1 Kirk Deighton Rangers

Picking up where they left off, Rangers forced the early play, and Sam Murphy burst through the defence but shot wide.

Minutes later, Rangers were awarded a free-kick after a foul on the edge of the area. Curling his shot past the wall, Wilks found that the keeper was well-positioned to match the catch.

Another good spell of passing found Wilks in the area, squaring the ball to Barden, who found himself under pressure and had to shoot quickly with his shot just going the wrong side of the post.

Forcing Rangers back, a lovely piece of skill saw the left-winger cut through Deighton's rearguard, but his shot crashed into the safety netting behind Palmer's goal.

Luke Dubery was left shaking his head in the 56th minute when he picked up on a fortunate rebound to be one-on-one with the keeper. Despite beating the custodian with his shot, it crashed into the side netting.

The game became a back and forth affair with Garforth utilising their wingers well and Deighton managing to beat the home side's backline with balls over the top. However, neither team could make an impression once in the area.

Not for the first time, Rangers were left to rue the accuracy of their shooting when Dubery's pass found Wilks, who beat the keeper only to watch his shot bounce just wide of the far post.

A raft of changes, including the introduction of Tom Hodson and Kieran Arnett, saw the latter nearly score with a cross-cum-shot that hit the crossbar before the keeper raced off his line to smoother the ball.

Garforth forced a good save from Palmer when another good run off the wing saw space open up, and the player drilled in a low shot.

A slick passing spell from Rangers gave Hodson a chance on goal, but despite hitting it straight and hard, the keeper showed great positional awareness to palm the ball clear.

As a Garforth player cut across the face of Deighton's area, he was fouled, and a free-kick was awarded. Striking it low, the ball deflected off a jumping player's legs and beat Palmer to nestle in the net after 84 minutes.

The final minutes of the match saw Rangers pushed back as Garforth searched for the winner. In the last seconds, they nearly achieved it when a shot beat Palmer, but not the post and bounced back into play.

Full Time: Garforth LG 1 v 1 Kirk Deighton Rangers