Report: Rangers 2 v 3 Hunslet Club

KDRAFC Media
Feb 6, 2022
3 min read

Rangers return to league action couldn't have gotten off to a worse start as they found themselves 3-0 down after just twenty-five minutes. A spirited fightback saw them reduce the deficit to just one goal, but a poor second half saw Hunslet Club take all three points back to Leeds.

With both teams battling against the elements, Rob Holliday tried to release Conor Buckley, but a defender read his intention and intervened to guide the ball back to his keeper.

A long ball down the throat of Deighton's defence needed Mason Sheridan-Hawley to slide across the attacker and clear as Hunslet threatened on their first attack.

The opening goal came on six minutes when Rangers couldn't stop Hunslet's right-winger from getting his cross away. Picking out an unmarked teammate in the area, he powered his header past Jonty Smith.

Deighton didn't learn their lesson, and three minutes later, they were punished again as another cross from the right was lashed home by a free player at the back post.

Trying to get a foothold into the game, Rangers came forward, and link-up play between Mike McCartney and Roman Neal forged a chance for the latter to shoot, although he could only find the bushes behind the goal.

A poor clearance by Hunslet's custodian gave Rangers a corner. Josh Barden's delivery was headed goalwards by Neal, but it crept just the wrong side of the post.

A slip in the centre of defence proved costly as Hunslet took full advantage and trebled their lead after 24 minutes when their striker kept his nerve, slotting the ball under the advancing Smith.

This time Deighton did manage an instant reply as Tatler picked out Jack Cheetham in the middle of the area, and having controlled the ball well, he dispatched his shot under the keeper to make it 3-1.

Sensing that they could find another goal quickly, Rangers pushed forward again, but Barden shot straight at the keeper. However, the custodian stood no chance on the half-hour mark as Tatler danced round the right-back before curling his shot into the top far corner.

A pullback on Barden by the last defender saw him receive a red card from the referee, and the resultant free-kick by Tatler crashed off the crossbar before bouncing to safety.

Rangers poured forward at every opportunity, but luck wasn't on their side as Conor Buckley was called offside by the narrowest of margins, and Tatler's shot from the same position he scored was straight at the keeper.

Half-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 2 v 3 Hunslet Club

The second-half was barely a couple of minutes old when Josh Buckley hit a shot from the edge of the area, which went wide.

Hunslet reminded Rangers that they were still in this game when a lovely spell of one-touch passing was ended by an offside decision. Soon after, a good pass down the centre of the pitch needed Smith to sprint out of his area to clear.

A foul on Tatler gave Rangers a free-kick on the right-wing, and Barden picked out Neal, but his header looped over and landed on the roof of the net.

Rangers were starting to snatch at the play as they desperately tried to find an equaliser. Passes were going astray, and simple long balls were being overhit, although the weather was not helping either team in this area!

Dan Marshall increased his team's firepower with the introduction of Jake Little for Mike McCartney in the 61st minute. However, Tatler had the next opportunity, but his shot was deflected for a corner by a covering defender.

Rangers knocked on the door again from a corner as Josh Buckley and Tatler nearly connected with Barden's delivery.

With Deighton now looking nervous as they tried to get their third goal, Hunslet took control of the midfield, and it became hard to identify the team with just ten men as they forced Smith into a good initial save, only to be denied a tap in from the rebound by an impressive sliding block by Harvey Ribbons.

Another miskick by the Hunslet keeper saw Neal eventually get the ball. Seeing the gloveman trying to get back into position, he shot from outside the area, but it failed to go near the goal and flew over its target.

The green shirts were forcing Rangers back, and with the match in its final moments of life, it was Smith who became the busier of the two keepers. First, he had to win a foot race to clear a through ball and then produce a full-length dive to his left to stop a shot from the right side of his area after a good move down the flank.

Full-Time: Kirk Deighton Rangers 2 v 3 Hunslet Club