Report: Rangers 1 v 5 Beeston St Anthonys

KDRAFC Media
Aug 21, 2022
3 min read

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It will look to the casual observer viewing the scoreline that Rangers suffered another heavy defeat on Saturday, this time to Beeston St Anthonys. However, it doesn't show Deighton's control for periods during the match, and with a little more composure and luck in front of the goal, this could have been a much different outcome!

With senior goalkeeper Jonty Smith ruled out through injury, 17-year-old Second Team keeper Kieran Arnett once more donned the gloves. Dominic Jones made his debut, and Dan Flynn was drafted onto the bench following the late withdrawal of winger Andrew Slinger.

Both keepers had early touches of the ball as Arnett dealt with a deflected shot, and then Beeston's custodian dived to his left to push Rob Holliday's shot wide.

Rangers won the ball back high up the pitch, and a deep cross by Connor Weal nearly picked out Julian Williams at the back post, but it was just too high for him.

With five minutes on the clock, Beeston took the lead following a miscommunication between defence and midfield. Latching onto Deighton's unintentional flick on the midfielder provided a quick cross into the area and saw the unmarked striker nip in and steer it past Arnett.

Beeston quickly tried to add a second goal, but this time Arnett watched it go wide of his far post.

Route one football saw Arnett's monster goal kick misjudged by the Beeston defender, and Luke Dubery set off. However, with the ground bone dry, the bounce saw the ball hang in the air, and the defender recovered to head clear for a corner.

Deighton were passing the ball around nicely with Elliot Anderson and Rob Holliday dictating play. It was the final pass that saw play falter, with Beeston's keeper having an easy time collecting an overhit pass.

Beeston increased their lead in the 22nd minute against the run of play. Deighton's attack broke down just outside the visitor's area, and a quick one-two saw the Beeston outpace the Rangers' backline before finding a gap between Arnett and his post.

With Deighton still reeling from the second goal, Beeston delivered the knockout blow three minutes later when a combination of slack marking and quick passing allowed the striker to score unopposed.

Confidence was visibly low for a period afterwards, but a fierce drive from Anderson needed the Beeston keeper to pull off a good save. From the resultant corner, Luke Trower's downwards header was blocked near the goal line.

Half-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 0 v 3 Beeston St Anthonys

A long pass to James Harrison was cut out and set Beeston on another counterattack. Attacking down the left side, the shot came in but was wide of the post.

Arnett was called into action in the 49th minute to make a double save when a Beeston player and Williams were battling for the ball. Blocking the first shot, the keeper was quickly up again to dive at the feet of the second striker to collect the ball before he could shoot.

A quick throw-in by Beeston caught Deighton flat-footed. Narrowly beating Arnett to a bouncing ball, a cross came in that slammed against the inside of the post and rolled back across the goalline with an unmarked green shirt able to apply the final touch.

The game belonged to Beeston and was wave after wave of attacks by the green shirts. Thankfully, Rangers had gotten to grips with this, and no new goals were added to their scoreline.

Rangers pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute when Dom Jones, who had nearly scored minutes earlier with a header, got the final touch at the far post to force the ball over the line after Harrison's cross was deflected goalwards.

Beeston were soon on the attack again, but Arnett pulled off a good reflex save to his right to deny the striker after a nice turn and pull back had provided a shooting opportunity.

Rangers pushed forward and won a corner that Roman Neal headed goalwards, only to see the Beeston keeper pull off another good diving save.

Beeston was forced to defend now, and chances fell for Sid Abbott and George Widdows, but it was a case of close but no cigar each time.

Not for the first time this match, Beeston scored against the run of play, but it was a lovely build-up that saw another well-played one-two fall into the winger's path and his looping cross/shot fell into the top corner of the net.

Beeston tried to claim a sixth goal, but a superbly timed last ditch tackle by Jones robbed the winger of his chance to shoot.

Full-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 1 v 5 Beeston St Anthonys