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Must-win game for Rangers as season enters final month

Must-win game for Rangers as season enters final month

Neil Winsor31 Mar 2017 - 09:15
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Hall Road hope they aren't made to look the April Fool for Dronfield trip

Dronfield Town vs Hall Road Rangers
Saturday April 1
H.E. Barnes Stadium
Toolstation NCEL First Division

Preview by Neil Winsor
Photograph supplied by Lee Myers

Photo: Gareth Owen's third goal for the club on Tuesday was not enough for maximum points, Rangers must win on Saturday to stay in the top two hunt

HALL Road Rangers travel to Dronfield Town tomorrow looking to exert some pressure back on to the top two in the NCEL First Division
Following Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Teversal, Dave Ricardo's side must now rely on results elsewhere, but will be keen to concentrate on their own result first and avoid any unnecessary slip-ups going into the final month of the season.
The draw at Teversal was scrappy for large periods, but when half time substitute Gareth Owen grabbed his third goal for the club eight minutes after the interval it looked like Hall Road may go on to claim all three points.
It wasn't to be though as Sam Belcher's unfortunate own goal eight minutes later pegged Rangers back.
The trip to Dronfield tomorrow is another match hard to predict as they are different proposition at home then when travelling.
This is Dronfield's final home game of the season and they will be keen to claim the scalp of one of the form sides in the division in front of their home support.
The two sides fought out a competitive 1-1 draw earlier in the season, but anything less then three points for Hall Road tomorrow will likely mean it is to be the end of season playoffs.
Rangers will travel once again minus Josh Batty who sits out the final game of his three match ban, but is eligible to return for Wednesday's East Riding Senior Cup Semi-Final with Hull City.
Danny Norton is also pushing for a start as he managed 30 minutes from the bench on Tuesday night following his ankle injury, and will be likely to see more action for this game.
Recent capture Jamie Coulson from Staveley MW, made his debut for Hall Road on Tuesday night and will be looking for more game time as will James Whittingham who has been a substitute in the last two matches.
With four games to go for Hall Road, if it is to be the end of the season playoffs they will be keen to go into the competition in form, whilst automatic promotion also still remains a possibility.
A huge sign of the progress the club has made, and continues to make.
With a cup semi final also to come on Wednesday night, it is very much business as normal for Rangers.

View from the dugout – by Dave Ricardo
"Tuesday night's draw was extremely disappointing against a determined but beatable Teversal side. They made it really tough for us and I have not said this at all this season, but they won the fight.
We looked a little jaded but when you have promotion in our sights the players should have been bang up for it.
I still believe we will have one last chance of getting automatic promotion and if we finish third with 96 points that is one hell of an achievement.
Dronfield will be a test of the players make up and character, I believe in them"

Around the NCEL First Division
As time ticks down on another exciting NCEL season they are still a number of matters to be resolved going into the final month of the season.
Following Hall Road's draw at Teversal, their destiny is out of their hands for the time been but a slip up from either AFC Emley or Pontefract Collieries in their remaining games could see Hall Road pip either of them to a top two spot.
This weekend AFC Emley welcome Shirebrook Town, a side bereft of confidence after been beaten at home by Winterton Rangers in the week, their third consecutive home defeat.
With an Emley win therefore likely on paper, attention will turn to a far from easy home game for Pontefract who welcome Campion, who boast Eli Hey one of the division's leading marksmen, fresh off his brace at Selby in midweek.
Failure to win for Knaresborough at Teversal will guarantee Hallam's place in the playoffs, with the latter not in league action.
The other team not in action this weekend are relegated Nostell MW who are the next to visit Haworth Park next weekend.
Following the crucial win for Westella and Willerby in midweek against Worsborough, 'Ella will be looking for another three points at home to Winterton Rangers whilst Worsborough face a daunting trip to Penistone Church.
The gap between Westella (21st) and Worsborough (20th) is currently nine points, but 'The Briggers' have played two games more.

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