Adam Blake took charge of the last Plumstead Rangers game, going with the 4-2-3-1. David Craynor was in goal. Brad Rivers at right back, Chi Lee & Luke Blake were the central pair with Tim Peel starting left. Adam Blake & club captain Ryan Higgins were the holding 2. Richard Taylor, left, and Nick Smith, right, were the wide players, with Daryl Watson in the no.10 behind James Harden. A full 3 man bench of Adam Batchelor, Luke Davis & Shane Grady remained.

The game began and Rangers were on top, but they were failing to make it count. As regularly happens in football, despite their dominance Rangers fell behind to 2 goals in quick succession. Rangers continued their game and after a few corners coming close, the old Watson/Blake combo hit Stalham for the third time in 2 games. This particular Watson corner was met by Blake on the edge of the six-yard box who guided a superb header right into the top corner away from the keeper, making it 2-1. With only minutes of the half left Stalham restored their 2 goal advantage, meaning Rangers went in at the break 3-1 down.

Blake made a triple substitution as the break, Grady replacing Harden in a straight swap. Luke Davis for Tim Peel & Adam Blake himself for Adam Batchelor, making his 99th Rangers appearance.

The second half went much the same way as the first. Taylor continued to make a nuisance of himself down the wing and Higgins battled as ever in the centre of the park. The Rangers defence stood strong and Craynor made some good stops. With time ticking on Blake came back on, in place of Smith, this ensuing a change in formation 4-4-2, a throwback strike pairing of Adam Blake and Shane Grady, Watson moved out left, Taylor moved into the centre of the park alongside Higgins. It was another Watson corner that caused havoc in the Stalham box, the ball was cleared but only as far as Chi Lee, who took a touch and found himself clipped, going over rather dramatically and pretty sure his yelp was heard in the city centre. The ref pointed to the spot, up stepped Shane Grady, who placed the ball bottom right and despite the keeper getting a hand to it the score became 3-2. It would prove to be very apt as this would be Rangers last goal, and it was Grady himself who scored Rangers first ever goal. Rangers pushed until the end, Blake going 3 up front, Harden back on and brothers Blake making the front 3. 90th minute and one last free-kick saw Shane Grady return to the pitch and for one last Hail Mary. The ball was sent into the box and it was the ever aerially dominant Adam Blake who got his flick on but it was grabbed by the keeper and the final whistle went.

Full time, 3-2.

Sadly there wasn't a win to see Rangers out but the second half performance was typical, they pushed, battled and didn't give up until the final whistle had been blown.

This club has been running for a fantastic 6 seasons, leaving people with a lot of great, (the occasional bad!) memories. As well as a lot of friendships being made. 2 league and cup doubles and 2 other cup final appearances has seen Rangers achieve a lot of success in a short period of time, this is credit to the club, players & management.

Let's make sure we have a huge turn out at the end of season awards do, to see this great club off properly, and thank everyone who has put in so much work to make this club the success it has been.

UP THE PLUMMY!

Plumstead Rangers FC

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