|
Quilligans were hoping to keep their lead at the top of the Premier League in the sunshine at Wren Rovers FC. With the heat and the width of the pitch being longer than some are long, it was going to be a matter of letting the ball do the work.
Quilligans started well, playing some good football and deservedly took the lead on 6 minutes. A corner wasn't dealt with by the Rangers defence, and Rowe punished them by latching onto the loose ball and firing it into the corner.
Dickinson nearly doubled the lead but fired his effort just wide. Rangers then had a chance to equalise, but even though it was flagged for offside they failed to trouble Ward-Smith. Gorrie then had another chance to put Quilligans further in front, but good defending denied him.
On the half hour Quilligans did get a second, a Rowe effort from some 35 yards crept under the Rangers keepers body and into the net. Rowe could have had his hatrick before the break but he blasted against the Rangers keepers legs when clean through.
Half-time 0 v 2.
Early in the second half Rangers conceded a corner, which was palmed by the keeper to Bracewell who was lurking inside the area. His subsequent deft lob was inches over the bar.
Quilligans then took their foot off the gas and Rangers started to come back into the game and apply some pressure. On 55 minutes they were awarded a free kick just outside the area which Casson dispatched past Ward-Smith.
Rowe nearly restored parity with a trademark exocet, but his effort was brilliantly tipped round by the Rangers keeper. Rangers then found themselves through on goal, and only a great tackle by Rowe denied them from getting back on terms.
Rangers were applying further pressure on Quilligans and for long periods, and got their reward on 86 minutes when they drew level. A corner into the Quilligans box wasn't dealt with and Rangers' first effort was cleared off the line, but the rebound was hammered home by Sullivan.
In conclusion, a footballing cliche - a game of two halves, with Rangers deserving of a share of the spoils.
Team
Ward-Smith, Ford, Bracewell, Dickinson (Greenall 57), Thompson, Gorrie, Baird, Watt, Broadbent (Spedding 65), Rowe, Evans.
Substitutes
Pearson, Douthwaite, Greenall, Spedding.
Scorers
Rowe 6, 30.
|
