A depleted Rangers squad missing three regular key players, (which included their first choice goal keeper), took to the field on a cold damp icy pitch, against a Halton team flying high in the league.
Playing in an unfamilair 2-3-1 formation the Rangers fought hard, playing as a team with Colloby & Locke in defence in the thick of the action. Williams playing the lone role of striker never stoped running, chasing every pass played up the field to her. The midfield led by vice captain Preston worked relentlessly against an excellent Halton team.
In cold conditions debutant Ronald was working hard, showing good awareness on marking the oppositions players.
McLaughlin, playing in goal, was by far the busiest of the two keepers twice diving low to save good Halton chances.
The 2nd half started brightly for the Rangers with Reid & Williams combining well, with Williams twice going close with good long range efforts. Halton continued to play well, on many occasions in the 2nd half Rangers were grateful to the blossoming partnership of Locke & Colloby in the heart of the Rangers defence, who broke down attack after attack from Halton's girls.
Midway through the 2nd half Rangers won a corner, Colloby, (taking the corner), crossed the ball in to the penalty area which was cleared by a Halton defender, the attempted clearance fell to the feet of Preston who hit a first time shot back towards the goal which narrowly flew wide of Halton's right hand post, so close!!
With 3 minutes to go Halton went in front from the penalty spot, with McLauglin given no chance of saving.
In a desperate bid to snatch an equalizer, Colloby was asked to play up front leaving Locke on her own at the back. Rangers took the game to immediately to Halton from the restart, a clearance from the Halton defence fell into the path of Reid who unleashed a fierce shot instantly goalwards through a crowded area, to an sighted Halton keeper who could only parry the ball in to the net!
Immediately Colloby went back to partner Locke in defence where Rangers hung on to a well deserved draw.
Goals : Reid
Egerton FC U-10 (1) 2 v 1 (0) Davenham Rangers U-10
Rangers boosted by the earlier result started positive, attacking straight from the K.O. Reid was now asked to play in a more attacking role partnering Williams up front.
Egerton were also enjoying their football, & went ahead midway through the first half, with a powerful shot which gave McLauglin little chance to save.
Egerton were growing in confidence, but Rangers were ready for the challenge, as in the Halton fixture played earlier, Locke & the ever-improving Colloby, (clearly growing in confidence in her defensive role playing along side the experienced Locke), were immense! working hard breaking down the Egerton attacks.
Early in the second half Egerton found themselves two up, with, it has to said an excellent individual goal scored by the Egerton forward, winning the ball in midfield the Egerton striker dribbled into the Rangers defence finishing well past McLauglin.
Rangers at this point changed the formation, Colloby was asked to strengthen the midfield, leaving Locke to play on her own at the back, with Ronald asked to play up front with Williams.
After five minutes Rangers pulled one back, Williams running down the right using her pace to escape the Egerton defence, ran into the penalty box hitting a low shot to the keepers right, which beat the keeper but not the foot of the post, racing on to the rebound was Ronald who hit a high shot into the roof of the net! a superb goal.
Rangers continued to press but sadly couldn't find the second goal that their performance deserved.
Have to say I thought the Rangers played superbly yesterday. They've improved so much, since I last saw them. The girls never stopped working for each other and always with a smile on their face. Great team spirit on and off the pitch! Well done Mike, you're doing a fantastic job!
