The Dugout Reaction

In a match that saw Rangers bounce back from a disappointing defeat against Shelley FC last weekend, we witnessed four goals and two dismissals as a brace from Charlie Yates, and goals from Ashley Tatler and Joe Turley put Pool AFC to the sword.

Following the game, Manager Dan Marshall spoke to the club’s media team about the game. Here is what he had to say.

About the game itself.

I thought we started well it was an entertaining game. We had discussed beforehand about the need to get going on the right foot and we did that. We got an early goal through Ash (Tatler) and we had a few chances to add to that with some very good football. We did get the second goal through some really worked play between Rob (Holliday) and Ali (Thompson) who provided a peach of a pass for Charlie (Yates) to score.

I though we were well in control at this point and then there was a bit of a scuffle and both teams had a player sent off, but I was pleased with the way we responded. The lads came out for the second half and still played good football. Joe (Turley) scored another superb long range shot and he’s been on fire the last few weeks. Charlie wrapped it up with a well taken strike and I don’t think that it was anything less that what we deserved to be honest.

On getting a convincing win after the disappointment against Shelley.

To be fair, getting a convincing win like we did today was a bonus. We spoke to the lads and told them that although they needed to play well, it’s all about results at the end of the day and although we dropped from third to tenth after last week’s result, there was still only six points between us and the top team. It’s a wide open league and there have been some very surprising results. We know that we have to take care of our own business, it’s a tough league, but as long as we come to the table week in, week out and deliver, then we have a chance.

On the league being so open.

I think it's good for the league to be as open as it is at the moment. It makes it more enjoyable to be honest. With it being so tight, you know that if you put a couple of wins together then you can go up into the top three, but equally if you hit a lean patch then you can drop into the bottom reaches, so it does keep you on your toes. Our aim this season has to be to get into that top three and hopefully we will get there, maybe over the next few weeks and then you have the challenge of staying there.

On Ali Thompson.

He’s played at a very good standard and has been in that terrible position where he has picked up an injury and been released. Obviously, that’s our gain, and as we have seen, he has played about three or four games for us and been exceptional. He may not have got a goal today, not through lack of trying, but his runs on and off the ball were intelligent and it created spaces, especially for Charlie’s two goals. His work rate is amazing throughout the game, and he’s also looking for that chance to play the ball or get into a decent position for a shot himself. He also has tricks in his locker to back it up as well.