Match Review: Casuals FC vs TGA Rangers FC

• DF David Phelps
• DF Frazer Young
• DF Lee Scurr
• MD Will Patz
• ST Kazuki Sato-Brennan
• ST Andy Woodbridge
• -- Patrick McMullen
• -- Lee Burgess
• -- Jake Taylor
• -- Douglas Palmstedt
• -- Naimmullah Putra

• DF Greg Ryan
• MD Sam Hallam
• -- Tom Lees
• -- Angus Buttar
• -- Dan Munns

Not bad. Could be better.

A few key players missing for this encounter with last Seasons champions however a strong squad was assembled and ready. Fraze came back from an injury probably sustained at a buffet, Cappy II sat in the middle and Protein came in to right back. The plan was to start fast and look to reduce the Long balls to their main threat up top. Boom! 2-0 down. Not sure how but I think the first was a foul on the GK from a corner and the second was a penalty and although a few of the Casuals complained, to this humble scribe it looked like a rugby tackle, albeit a very weak one. It took the goals to really kick start the Casuals in to gear. The boys in the middle had got a foothold in the middle and were now dominating and conducting play like the mighty Aston Villa do most weeks. Jake was causing all sorts of trouble to the ever screaming Ollie. With Casuals well on top the deserved goal came through a scramble in the box and a loose ball landed out to Lee whose shot came off Patrick to divert the ball past the impressive GK. 2-1 HT. Chat at the half was to keep the shape and energy levels up but to cut out some of the glory balls when in the last third. Rangers always had the threat up top although the backline were relatively comfortable in sweeping up the barrage of Long balls from the back. A nice passage of play resulted in the equaliser. The boys in the middle opened up the pitch and Kaz and Jake combined down the left to cross for Lee to bundle in from a few yards out to make it 2-2. A host of changes to freshen up and keep the energy levels up - the good Football continued and a few chances were made but thwarted by the GK. Game finished 2-2 in what was a very good battle. Casuals dominated for large parts but couldn't find the winner in the end. Rangers will be a threat with the lad up top and a very good GK - good luck for the rest of the season.

• Chris Jones DF
• Jonathan Cloak DF
• Hiromitsu Nakaue DF
• Stephen McLaughlin MD
• Nathan Bryer MD
• Mike Sharples ST
• Nick Lenicheck --
• Oliver Wright --
• David Finch --
• Rob Whitworth --
• Rowan Anders --

• Todd Koning ST
• Esad Sejdic --
• Charlie Evans --
• Udit Dhawan --
• Dominic Booth --

Time to put the ear plugs away

So this was finally it...Oli Wright's last game in charge of TGA Rangers, and all the glass windows within reaching distance of his screeching breathed a huge sigh of relief. On a dry night at UWC Dover, Rangers came out the block like Oli sprinting after the ref from an opposing players light brushing. Before we knew it the lads were 2-0 up. It started with another of Nick's pin-point corners that we all decided was too good to actually try to get any decent contact on, before causing absolutely mayhem in the box and finally being knocked back to Finchmeister General who smartly finished with his first touch in the Cosmo. The next attack saw Finchmeister General at the forefront again but his direct header from Beatts cracking cross was superbly saved by Casual's keeper. Soon after this a long ball from Rowan, who's claim has been sent to the Cosmo Dubious Assists panel, and Sharples managed to get a march on their CB who tripped/fell/obstructed his path leading to a pen. Sharples then dispatched the pen to make it 2-0. Casuals carried on knocking the ball around, playing some good football and keeping possession. Their breakthrough came near the end of the half when Rangers failed to clear their lines and a shot from the edge of the box was deflected in. On the balance of play Casual's deserved a goal. A couple more goalmouth scrambles before the end of the half but it ended an entertaining 2-1. The second half began in the same vein as the first, Rangers starting well and Casuals coming back into it. Sharples deceived the keeper with a lofted shot from distance that came back off the bar despite the ball looking like it was travelling to Bintan for the weekend. Casuals then got their equaliser with a good team move leading to a cross from the left that Lee Burgess headed past the despairing Rowan. The game finished 2-2 after more huffing and puffing from both sides. Credit to Casuals for the highly competitive match and wish them all the best for the season. MOM for Casuals was tough as a few stood out, mainly the keeper and left back but Lee Burgess gets the nod for his goals and overall play. MOM for Rangers was Oli as he has deserved one for many games but refused to give it to himself. Or its a pity award. You decide. All the Rangers lads wish the big nosed man all the best on his cash driven move to Europe, apparently the offer was too good to turn down. See ya pal.