On a cold & damp Saturday morning Rangers took to the field against a lively Frodsham team, who were determined to make an immediate impression. Inside three minutes Rangers found themselves two down. The first goal was the result of a long range shot which deceived Barrow after taking an ununfortaunate bounce on a bumpy surface.
The second was scored from close range after a scramble in Rangers penalty box, againleaving Barrow with no chance.
In the early days such a start to a football match for the Rangers may've led to a heavy defeat, but not any more!
The Rangers fought back well, Hudson Standish & Preston started to get the better of the midfield battle, the pace of Williams & dogged determination from McLaughlin leading to good saves from an excellent, (if at times fortunate), Frodsham keeper.
Amazingly, & against the run of play, it was Frodsham who were the next to score late on in the first half, scoring from close range, this after a Frodsham corner, once again leaving Barrow little chance.
The second half was similar to the first, with Rangers enjoying the majority of the possession, Williams continued to bring the best from the Frodsham keeper, with McLaughlin also going close.
Rangers new signing Colloby came on early in the second half to make her debut for the Rangers, replacing the excellent Standish. Colloby can be very proud of her performance combining well with the experienced Locke in defence.
Reid who replaced captain Hudson mid way through the second half can also feel very proud of her contribution, but sadly, on this occasion to no avail.
Three nil victory to Frodsham being the final result.
Davenham Rangers (2) 3 v 0 (0) Crosfield Panthers.
Goals William McLaughlin Hudson
Looking to make amends for the earlier slow start against Frodsham the Rangers had a game plan to get at their opponents straight from the start, forcing a corner in the opening minutes.
The Rangers were clearly enjoying their football, with Hudson & McLaughlin working hard with a game plan of getting the ball forward to Williams as soon as possible. Early in the first the Rangers got the break through they deserved, Preston playing in central midfield won the ball & presented a pass goalwards that Williams ran on to, taking the ball goalwards Williams hit a low shot that the keeper could only parry, with Williams reacting first to knock in the rebound.
The second soon followed, once again a through ball knocked forward for Williams to chase, this time by Hudson, which brought a smart save from a busy Crosfield keeper, a scramble followed where eventually McLaughlin was on hand to rifle home a shot low & hard to the keepers left hand post.
However Crosfield proved they were not out of the game & could still be a force, late in the first half the Rangers had their keep Barrow's to thank for an important save diving full length low to her left to palm away a fierce shot struck from outside of the penalty box.
Rangers started the second half as they had played for the majority of the first half. With one way traffic steaming towards the Crosfields goal. Williams on another day may have scored three or four, but for the skill & bravery of the Crosfield goal keeper, who on one occasion dived low at Williams feet to prevent a certain Rangers goal.
Early in the second Reid came on from Preston, & Colloby replaced the hard working Standish. Both substitutes enjoyed good possession. A good left foot shot from Reid narrowly going went wide of the Crosfield right hand post.
Colloby looked assured & confident mirroring Locke's no nonsense style of defending.
Late in the second half it was the teams leader captain Hudson who applied the icing on the cake with a superb half volley which fizzed into the net from outside of the area, a goal that her overall performance in both matches fully deserved.
