MERE GREEN RANGERS 4-2 BURNTWOOD DRAGONS

(G) DELPORT (A) WHITE
(G) DELPORT (A) CALDICOTT
(G) WHITE (A) HOPE
(G) WHITE (A) CALDICOTT

(MOMs LEFORT/WHITE)

“If you are afraid of losing then you daren’t win.” - Bjorn Borg

The weather last week put our league schedule on the back burner again and we had to train knowing that we had been intermittently active over the last few weeks. Going into a cup semi-final without a solid run of games can be viewed from two perspectives, on the one hand the players are reasonably fresh and without injury…on the other, you want a sharpness that only comes from playing regularly and competitively. Justin and I talked a lot over the week on how to prepare for such a big game, how to talk things through with the boys and how to keep them calm and relaxed in the face of one of the biggest fixtures they have faced together. We opted for a no fuss, ‘everything as normal’ approach as we felt that players needed to be relaxed and confident that the way they have been playing all season was good enough to see them through. As in the previous round we were rocked an hour before kick off with the withdrawal of our ‘Mini-Mac’ Ben Godsell due to illness. The boys have been outstanding in relation to tactical adjustments and we knew that they would concentrate and make the necessary modifications with minimum fuss. We welcomed a side we’ve met on numerous occasions over previous seasons, Burntwood Dragons. The Dragons are now in the premier league and boast a powerful and industrious group of players that got the better of us last season during their run to promotion. Thanks to Andy and Rachael for smoothly organising the fixture and for a well spirited approach to the game…

First Half

The boys in green kicked off and immediately tried to get onto the front foot. George LeFort sent a curling ball into space for Ben Underwood to latch onto and our No.9 advanced quickly in the channel. Underwood whipped in a cross that Jack White was millimetres away from touching into the net as he outmuscled his defender and stretched for the cross. Max Petty connected with the goal kick and Ben Lea then slid a pass in to Sonny Kelland, Kelland found George Hope who in turn clipped the ball through for Underwood. Our No.9 controlled, looked up and curled a lovely pass in behind the back line for White to race on to. Our No.14 outpaced his marker and drifted into the right corner of the box before firing in a low cross that beat the keeper and sat up for Ryan Delport who was arriving with unerring timing to smash high into the roof of the net for the opening goal. 1-0 The Rangers give themselves an early lead after positive attacking play through the channels. We knew that Burntwood would try and exact a quick response, Luca Thornton bravely flew into a challenge and Luke Joeres was equally strong to repel danger. The ball bobbled and looped its way into the box and suddenly there was clear sight of goal for a Dragon, Theo Caldicott was out of his goal and dived courageously to get a half block the ball spun loose and looked destined for the goal until Lea and Petty conspired to clear it off the line. Joeres then sent the ball into space for Delport and the Rangers were away again. Our No.7 accelerated away from his marker and sent a cross in for White who got a touch for goal only for the keeper to save well down to his left. Burntwood attacked again, Hope straining every sinew to get a challenge in and deny his opponent with a well-timed challenge. Petty blocked and Lea dug in to the tackles. Thornton threw his body into everything for the cause. Burntwood trying to get on level terms, sent high balls forward and after an awkward bounce Caldicott had to make an outstanding block to get down low and parry a powerful strike away for the corner. The ball swung over and Petty headed, Lea helped the ball on and finally Caldicott collected safely. Our No.1 then spotted Delport calling in space on the left and launched a huge ball over the last defender and into the path of the Rangers’ No.7. Delport needed no invitation to drive with pace towards the box, Burntwood defenders were retreating in numbers to deal with the ensuing cross but instead of curling in a cross Delport spotted the keeper to the one side of his goal and from outside the area he unleashed a thunderbolt of a drive that crashed into the net from range to double the home side’s advantage. 2-0 The Rangers’ Army are in wonderland as the boys take a two-goal lead with a lightning counter. The boys in green looked unfazed and if anything they were utterly relaxed and composed as they continued to play their football. Kelland picked up the ball from LeFort and after holding off his man sent a pass in behind the back line for Underwood. Underwood was foiled by brave keeping but the threat remained resonant as the boys in green pushed on. Joeres won a crunching tackle and despite being fouled managed to stay on his feet long enough to clip a ball through for LeFort. Our No.6 drove for goal only to be upended as he advanced. From the resulting free kick Kelland dummied a shot for Delport to smash a driven effort that split the wall and flashed just wide of the post. Hope drove forward and fed a pass down the line for Underwood who neatly laid the ball off for Kelland. Kelland bought Joeres into play and our No.5 cut the defence wide open with an exquisite pass that found Delport. Delport crossed and Underwood’s effort at the back post was blocked away for the corner. Delport swung the ball over and LeFort’s movement saw him arrive at the back post unmarked but his volley flew agonisingly wide of the upright. Burntwood sent another long ball into the area and Caldicott had to react smartly to stop a goal-bound effort, Thornton then reacted smartly to get the ball away in concession of a corner. The ball swung over, bodies everywhere as the ball hung and then bobbled, Caldicott made a great block, then Lea, then Petty, Hope slid into the melee. A Burntwood player struck for goal and Thornton bravely took the sting off the shot but it squirmed up and although Caldicott got a despairing hand to it the ball somehow ended up in the net. 2-1 Burntwood are back in the game after persistence on the corner. Heads could have dropped, hearts could have raced but the remaining period of the first half saw the Rangers settle again, take a collective breath and push on. LeFort won a solid tackle and found Thornton who scooped the ball forward for Joeres. Our No.5 found Kelland who turned and coolly laid a ball off to Hope on wide right. The Rangers’ No.8 looked up and curled a lovely pass over the Burntwood back line and into the path of White. Our No.14 showed electric pace and ultimate composure as he held off his marker before smashing a superbly accurate shot past the keeper and into the net. 3-1 The boys in green celebrate together as they regain a two goal advantage. The Rangers’ army will know that I have my sayings, usually after we score I am oft heard to say “Keep your shape and concentrate” but before I could get those words out of my mouth LeFort and Caldicott were bellowing those instructions to their team mates. Petty was brave to repel a dangerous ball into the box and Lea was assured as he turned and released a pass into midfield for Kelland. Our No.10 sent a through ball in for Delport who was away again at pace. Our No.7 picked out White who struck a powerful drive on goal that deflected just wide. Kelland whipped in the corner the keeper palmed the ball away, Joeres picked it up and sent a ball through for Delport but our No.7 was unfortunate as the defender did well to get in a challenge that deflected in favour of the away side. The whistle blew to signal half time and the boys walked off to riotous applause from the Army.

Half Time 3-1

The boys came in at the break looking composed and assured after a first half that had yielded three goals and a fine performance from each and every one of them. “What are the words that are about come out of my mouth?” I asked, in unison the reply from the boys, “What’s the score?” I smiled to myself and simply retorted with, “…and?” Once again in unison, “0-0!”We ran through some positional pointers and some technical advice related to set plays and throw-ins but overall our job was simply to speak to all them individually about a good half and a need to go again. I don’t know what Justin and I had expected but they really were relaxed and taking the game in their stride, that old cliché of play the game not the occasion was certainly not required, the boys looked focussed and ran out confidently for the second half…

Second Half

The game got back underway and it was clear that the away side needed to push early in search of a way back into the game. They needed a goal to stabilise their challenge and the boys in green had to defend earnestly for the opening period of play. Petty won a thundering tackle and Lea intercepted the stray ball to find Thornton. Our No.2 found Kelland in the middle who in turn sent a pass in for Underwood. Underwood was away at pace and through on goal, despite three defenders comfortably playing our No.9 onside his run to goal was interrupted by the appearance in the air of a linesman’s flag. Petty cut out another dangerous ball and Hope had to slide in with precision to clear danger from the edge of the area. Lea made a critical block and Petty sent the ball away for the corner. The cross swung over and Caldicott was brave to get a hand on the ball amongst the bodies, Thornton blocked bravely, Kelland tackled on the edge of the box and somehow the Rangers got the ball away from danger. A long ball from midfield and suddenly the Dragons’ striker was away and through on goal, Petty and Lea bust guts getting back to attempt blocks but as the striker looked to finish Caldicott was off his line and courageously blocked at the feet of the striker to get the ball and the danger away. This was the first time that Rangers had looked like they were on the back foot but each of them stood up strong and refused to let their opponents get the better of them. LeFort and Joeres dug in as the ball squirmed around in the middle of the field, a looped ball through found the striker in space and Caldicott had to race from his line once more to make a block as a fierce strike flew towards goal. Petty threw his body across another ball from the rebound and Joeres smuggled the ball through to Kelland. Our No.10 got it clear to Grant-Parnell who travelled quickly before sending a long pass forward for White. The Rangers’ No.14 outmuscled his marker again and then cut the ball across to Joeres who was flying forward. Joeres found Grant-Parnell again and our No.11 curled a ball across that the Burntwood keeper did really well to cut out under close examination. From the goal kick the ball was pumped back in to the Rangers’ area. The danger loomed but Lea won an incisive tackle under pressure and Petty carried the ball away only to be scythed to the ground. After our No.17 had received treatment Caldicott lined up to take the free kick and spotted space in behind the Burntwood defence. Our No.1 sent a curling ball over the top for White to latch onto. White burst through into the area before hammering a beautiful volley high into the net for the fourth Rangers’ goal. 4-1 The Rangers’ Army were euphoric and daring to dream of the final as the boys extended the gap in the score line with superb awareness and accuracy. Grant-Parnell flew down the line again as LeFort picked out a neat pass. Grant-Parnell cut the ball back and Underwood got a touch in an advanced position only for a Burntwood defender to clear. Kelland won the ball and slipped it back to LeFort who was on the edge of the area. The Rangers’ skipper crossed for Underwood who was blocked and the ball bounced back out to LeFort who struck a first time howitzer that shuddered the goal as it pinged back off the upright and away. Another corner for the Rangers and Kelland varied delivery with a low driven cross to the near post, nobody could get a touch and the ball agonisingly flashed by the goal line as the boys pushed on again. Burntwood now threw players forward and sent another ball into the box for their striker to chase. He held it up well and struck, but Delport blocked bravely, Joeres then flew in and blocked. Petty and Lea were also brave in the pursuit of a clearance but finally a speculative shot ricocheted and deflected off two or three sets of ankles and squirmed away from the deceived Caldicott to find the net. 4-2 A late fightback from the Dragons gets them on the scoresheet again. Delport flew forward and played a lovely one-two with White on the left side of the pitch. Our No.7 then cut the ball back for Grant-Parnell who was blocked from applying his finish by some excellent defending, Underwood then picked up the ball and flew into the area only to see his low cross strike the near post and drop out of play. Kelland slid in to deny another attack on the edge of the Rangers’ area and Joeres picked up the loose ball and sent Grant-Parnell away again, our No.11 cut the ball across to White who then sent Underwood in, our No.9’s effort was well held by the keeper but the boys in green were definitely pushing as the seconds subsided. When the referee finally blew for full time the Rangers’ celebrated triumphantly with their supporters as their dreams of playing in the final were realised.

It has been an amazing cup run and the job in hand is to now get ourselves back to the league schedule and not worry about the final until it’s here. Justin and I couldn’t be prouder of the way the boys have gone about their football this season and we cntinually feel the positive support from the Rangers’ Army who are always 100% behind what we are doing. A shout goes out to our founder Gary Moore who always keeps an eye on the Rangers and offers tremendous support. Get well wishes go out to our No.3…the boys did it for you Ben…we are going to the final!!!

Up The Rangers!!!!