Rangers AFC First Team Match Report

Rangers AFC travelled to Saxton Field for the Prize Charity Cup Final against Richmond FC.  Coaches Chris Short and Shiv Chandra had a full squad available at their disposal but were mindful of the upcoming trip of six youngsters to the school nationals the next day.  Rangers were off to a nervous start, making too many uncharacteristic mistakes against a very determined and hungry Richmond team. Rangers created a couple of good chances, Jeimar Zapata narrowly missing the goal from a. tight angle while Keagan Mortimer was denied by a desperate tackle inside the penalty box. Most of the battle continued in midfield, Rangers accounting for the lionshare of possession but unable to penetrate a well organised and deep defending Richmond team. Half time brought on changes for Rangers -  Oaks, Linfield and Parley being replaced by Bradley, McAuley and Uderzo. Rangers increased the pressure, B.Waechter, Fleming, Crafts and Zapata putting some nice passages together, finding Fleming free in the 67 minute to unleash a strike into the top corner from 20 yards out to beat the Richmond keeper.

The lead lasted only 5 minutes, Rangers giving away another free kick cheaply, leading to a corner from which Richmond equalised to the jubilation of their home fans. Rangers brought on more fresh legs, Camp for Crafts, creating numerous good chances but it took until the 85 minutes when Mortimer's shot from 12 yards beat the keeper inside the post. Zapata made way for T.Connor-McClean for final 10. Richmond threw everything forward but Rangers defense held firm around T.Waecher, Columbus and goalie Sherwood.  Eventually the final whistle came, to the relief of the Rangers team and a number of supporters, making their way over the hill.

This capped off a fitting finale to a great season for a new build team around proud Coaches Short and Chandra. 

Team from left to right:

back row: Coach Chris Short, Goalkeeper Coach Morgan Breuer, Cameron Oaks, Aklex Uderzo, Jeimar Zapata-Zuniga, Josh Clamp,Viktor Crafts, Tore Waechter, Hugh Bradley, Jordy Columbus, Logan Stone, Assistant Coach Shiv Chandra, Bus Driver W.Waechter

front row: Luc Sherwood, Bjorn Waechter, Ben Lindfield, Caleb McAuley, Keagan Mortimer, Tana Connor-McClean,James Parley, Pat Fleming