Rushden Rangers 1 v Thrapston 3
This match took me back, not to the previous encounter between
these two teams, but to my own time as a youth playing parks
football (some three decades ago) – and things have
not improved. A pitch that has recovered relatively well from
apparently recently growing cabbages, no nets, no corner flags,
changing rooms locked, clearing various articles off the pitch
and a kick off much later than planned, oh yes it all came
flooding back!
So to the match, how would our young warriors react to a
week of training that maybe felt more like the military schooling
the countries young princes are undertaking than schoolboy
footballers should be doing? Drop zones, phase 1 & 2 options,
start positions, disciple, commitment and tactical positioning
(all missing from last week) were drilled into them by their
own sergeant major. Pleased to report I think they got it.
Falling behind to an early goal would test their character
- Hansord failed to claim a corner and as players were complaining
about an alleged push Rushden fired home via a post. Sleeves
rolled up, Thrapston rolled forward with their heavy artillery.
Palmer and Caller swept over the Rushden defence never giving
them a chance to settle and from this type of play Caller
claimed the equaliser in the 10th minute. Crashing through
3 tackles Caller rifled home via the underside of the bar
– nice work. That signalled a 25-minute period where
Thrapston encamped in the Rushden half. The midfield won all
their battles and were providing the ammunition for Caller
and Palmer and although numerous chances were being created
desperate defending and naive finishing meant that Thrapston
were not justly rewarded for all their excellent work.
A change of tactics at half time, no fireworks but words
of encouragement urging the players on to maintain their performance
– me thinks the boys re-entered the field in a mild
state of shock as this is not what they had been used to recently.
How much better could it have been if the coach would have
had a bacon roll at half time!!
Thrapston held the upper hand in the second half but the
game did become more interesting mainly through the referee
and home linesman interpretation of the laws. Early doors
and Thrapston maintained the pressure. The deadly duo up front
carved great wounds into the Rushden defence sucking in more
and more defenders to cope with them which created space for
our midfield. Ever willing to oblige Alex Barlow popped up
with an excellent drive from the edge of the area to push
our noses in front and Alexander Palmer was rewarded for his
excellent showing with a tap in as he marauded his way through
the heart of the Rushden defence.
Could there be a goal fest? Not really as the size and condition
of the pitch took its toll on young legs. Opportunities were
available at both ends as play swung from end to end with
Thrapston always looking the more menacing. Hansord made amends
for his earlier mistake with a finger tip save and even the
ref seemed to be enjoying the thrill of the match adding an
extra 12 minutes (20%) to the match.
This team performance was so far above last weeks that the
team was unrecognisable again, but this time the team played
as we know they can and that makes us happier than Steve Bruce
must be feeling. A special mention for the spine of the team,
they were outstanding today – however the sergeant major
will have you all square bashing again this week (and some
of you map reading unless you get satnav installed during
the week!).
Supporters Player of the Match: Liam Carter
Mathew Hansord, Harry Doubleday, Liam Carter, Cameron Glynn,
Grahame Wright, Tyrone Love, William Morrison, Alex Barlow,
Ryan Wright, Ryan Caller, Alexander Palmer, Lewis Farden,
David Morton, William Gadsby.
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