Report: Rangers 1 v 3 Malt Shovel

KDRAFC Media
Jul 17, 2022
3 min read

Despite a start that was as bright as the weather, Deighton produced a disjointed performance that saw York Premier gain a win over West Workshire Premier, as Malt Shovel defeated Rangers 3-1 at Barr Field.

For the first five minutes, there was precious little in the shape of chances, although had the ball not pinballed off Jack Holliday's legs as he tried to break free, things may have been different.

A free kick that went wide of Jonty Smith's goal signalled the first attack for the visitors.

Moving onto Smith's goal kick, Andrew Slinger beat his man and swung in a cross that Shovel's keeper intercepted just before Liam Dean reached it.

Dean had better luck moments later when Rob Holliday and Slinger combined, and the latter's pass found its target. However, the travelling keeper quickly reacted, sticking out his leg and deflecting his shot wide.

The keeper completed a trio of saves when he dived to his right to smoother Rob Holliday's low shot after he had turned smartly inside the area.

With a quick raid down Deighton's end, it suddenly needed a dive by Smith to turn away a stinging shot after twelve minutes.

With the visiting side growing in confidence, the game became an even affair, and for long periods, the ball bounced between the midfield of both teams.

A lovely run down Deighton's right by Shovel saw the shot ricochet off Dan Flynn. Diving full length to his left, Smith pushed the ball over the crossbar.

Thirty-six minutes into the game, the first goal arrived. From the throw-in on Deighton's right side of the area, their player made some room before dispatching his shot across Smith and into the net.

Rangers almost fashioned a response when the ball dropped for Rob Holliday to shoot from just inside the area. Pouncing to his left, Shovel's keeper produced an excellent save to keep his team's lead intact.

With the visitors pushing again, it took a clearance by Harvey Ribbons to deny them a second after their player had rounded Smith and dispatched his shot goalwards.

Half-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 0 v 1 Malt Shovel

Shovel started the second half the same way they finished the first by putting pressure on Deighton's goal. This time, the threat came from a free kick, but the header goalwards was claimed by Kieran Arnett, who had replaced Smith between the posts.

Despite several periods of intricate build-up play by Deighton that was impressive to watch, the final ball was the problem, although Sid Abbott could count himself unlucky not to have had a clear shot on goal during these moves.

A free-kick after a disputed foul just outside Deighton's area saw Arnett get a faint touch to assist the shot onto the crossbar. Deighton quickly switched defence into attack, but the final pass for Joe Turley was too hard, and it bounced out of play.

Deighton was enjoying a bit of pressure, and Abbott's cross was controlled well by Javaughn Fenton. Trying to find space for the shot, he found himself surrounded by red shirts and lost the ball.

A race down Deighton's left saw the Shovel player outsprint Ribbons, but his low shot was tipped wide by Arnett. During this flurry of corners, Shovel scored a bullet header after Rangers failed to mark their opponents properly, leaving a man free who made them pay in the 62nd minute.

It was 3-0 in the 66th minute, but this one was steeped in controversy as Arnett was barged off the ball as he went to collect it, and despite several shouts from players and management, the referee allowed play to continue, and Shovel shot home from close range.

Despite the scoreline, Rangers were knocking the ball around well, with Elliot Anderson usually the architect. Winning a succession of corners of their own, Deighton were denied a goal by good defending and goalkeeping.

A determined run by Stevie Delaney saw him curl in a cross towards Abbott, but as he set himself to shoot, a swarm of red shirts engulfed him and removed the danger.

Rangers' perseverance finally paid off in the 85th minute when Rob Holliday skinned his marker before beating the goalkeeper with a low angled drive.

There was still time for both sides to have a final chance to score. Turley's speculative long shot went wide for Rangers, and as Shovel looked to burst through the middle of Deighton's defence, Julian Williams put in a well-timed sliding challenge to dispossess the forward.

We wish Malt Shovel all the best for the forthcoming season.

Full-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 1 v 3 Malt Shovel