Fletcher Moss Rangers FC

At home to Wilmslow Town Panthers this week. I seem to recall that we beat this team earlier in the season, but not by much(??)

Missing Akiel Johnson this week, who we are told has gone into hospital with a viral infection.

Speedy recovery, Akiel! You’ll be missed! Otherwise, we have a full squad.

As you’ll see, a bit of a “curates egg”, this one.

1^st Period: Ben Mills in goal.

In contrast to recent performances, Fletcher Moss start strongly, with Wilmslow the team slow out of the starting blocks. The first few minutes sees a number of good opportunities go begging from poor finishing – we seem to have taken ourselves by surprise. Will we regret this profligacy by the end of the game?

Towns first attack on the Fletcher goal results in a shot on target, and although Fletcher are doing most of the attacking, Wilmslow do look dangerous when they break.

As the period advances, Wilmslow gradually gain the initiative, and the early promise shown by our lads starts to disappear. However, from one timely interception in midfield by Jack Mathews, Terry Cannon takes the ball on and delivers a useful cross, by unfortunately it isn’t finished off. Then Jack M delivers a free kick into the box, which Zeke Eme gets his heel to, but it careers wide of the goal.

Not much more to report from the first period, several unrewarded attacks from both sides. Fletcher are unable to maintain their early domination, and a period that started very promisingly ends with a somewhat deflated bunch of spectators on the touchline.

2^nd Period: Ben in goal (again!)

If the first period was a roller coaster of a ride for the fans, then the second period is a trawl along the seabed! The team seem to have lost their shape, and the visiting team are on top. Its no real surprise then, when a bit of befuddled defending allows the Town attacker a simple chance which he gratefully accepts. 0-1!

The remainder of the period doesn’t get a whole lot better. There are some nice pieces of skill from the lads generally, and Zeke in particular, but an equaliser?? We cant see it coming!

(A note for training, we must attack the ball more, rather than waiting for it to do us the favour. The ball doesn’t take sides!).

A poor period for Fletcher comes to an end, but we have to bear in mind that we are playing a good team.

3^rd Period: Ben in goal (again, again??).

Change in formation slightly in the third period, and this seems to have had the desired result of rejuvenating the Fletcher lads, who have a few early chances through Zeke and Al Savori. Then a clear chance materialises for Jack A Ryan, but unfortunately he is just unable to get his foot to the ball to finish it off. Jack T Ryan sets off on a run from midfield, and gets a shot at goal, but it goes wide of the right hand post.

Not scoring, but at least now we are decent creating chances again.

Time is moving on in this period, we’re getting anxious on the touchline, and what we wouldn’t give now for a cool head in front of goal. Fortunately, the “cool head” is delivered in the shape of the one on Zekes shoulders. A clearance from Ben, loops over the Town defence, and leaves Zeke with only the keeper to beat. This time, there is no mistake, and Zeke puts it away off the left hand post. 1-1, and frankly, we didn’t see it coming! Now for a winner??

Almost before we’ve had time to gather breath, a similar chance arrives, and once again Zeke is clinical in his finishing. 2-1! We are rubbing our eyes on the touchline – can we dare to dream?

The finish of the match approaches, and Wilmslow get what may be the final chance for an equalizer when they are awarded a free kick just to the left of the post, at about the half way line. I’m sure that he lad who took it will disagree, but there always has to be an element of luck with chances like this. And luck was with this all the way, as the free kick sails into the Fletcher net just under the cross bar, and above Bens reach. Bens had his usual ultra reliable game, and nothing he could do about this one.

That is the last chance of the game, and the referee blows at 2-2.

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Final score: 2-2.

Probably a fair result all round. Both sides had good chances to score more goals. It would be easy to criticise the performance, but we were playing against a good team, who have had some very impressive results in this league.

Coaches Comment:

Very pleased with the performance, considering the quality of the opposition. Still unbeaten since before Christmas, which speaks for itself.

MOTM: No outstanding individuals, but a good, battling, never-say-die, performance all round. Man-off-match this week; the whole team. Well done boys for never giving up.