Howard Rangers 1 Harraby Catholic 1 (season 2011-12)

Howard Rangers were out to avenge the County Cup defeat at the hands of todays opposition after just losing out in a close encounter in extra time, last time the two sides met..

Both teams were without key players after Howard Rangers had lost their captain Jamie Law through injury, then on the morning of the match were weakened even further with the loss off Jonathan Ashurst and Jason (Spooner) Betts through illness..

So this gave manager Steve McCubbing the chance to push some of the younger players into the starting line up, Matty Green was the most fortunate as he was given his first start since signing and he made the most of his chance with a man of the match performance in central midfield.. So could Howard Rangers maintain their unbeaten start to 2012

Howard Rangers started the stronger of the two teams and should have been ahead, but they just lacked that killer touch in front of goal, with a few early chances either off target or straight at the keeper, Aiden Hanley thought he had put Howard Rangers ahead 20 minutes in, but he was just offside as he received a great ball from Martyn Hall, it wasnt long before Howard Rangers early pressure paid off and a great move between Craig Wilkinson and Mark Swinglehurst ended with a great goal, but only after Swinglehurst had beaten two defenders before striking a great shot that easily beat the Harraby Catholic keeper.. Howard should have doubled the score minutes later, but Aiden Hanley with only the keeper to beat had time and space for a shot but chose the pass, but that was easily cut out by the Harraby defence. Then disaster for Howard Rangers just before half time as Harraby Catholic equalised with a great move, Giuseppe Amato broke free down the left before firing in a great cross that was inch perfect for Simon Ruddick to head home. Half time 1-1

The second half was much the same and Howard Rangers again showed they can compete with the top teams in the divison, they just need to be more clinical in front of goal as they again squandered more chances. The best of the chances fell to Warren Douglas as he picked up the ball from a cheeky Aiden Hanley backheel, with just the keeper to beat he seemed to hesitate before firing his shot agonisingly wide as the keeper closed him down and just got enough of a touch to help it past the post. After this Harraby Catholic seemed to up their game and were unlucky themselves with a number of chances, but it was the miss of the game from player manager Dean Lamonby that may come back to haunt them later in the season. He fired over from close range with the open goal at his mercy, but all in all it was a fair end to a decent game on a difficult heavy pitch.

Next up for Howard Rangers is an away day over the border as they take on Gretna Social Club.. This should be another entertaining game after just losing out 2-1 to them earlier in the season. Hopefully Howard Rangers can continue their unbeaten run and maybe pick up all 3 points this time..

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Sports

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