The teams emerge If you thought that Thursday night football was just for those teams not quite good enough to make it into the Champions League, then think again. The way that the weather has played havoc with non-league fixtures this season, there will probably be a large number of games played on Thursday evening in the next few weeks. I think it may be a first for me, certainly a first league encounter on Thursday, but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth after my understanding wife gave me the nod for a second game in two days. Rather than go for a new ground, I decided to stay quite local and re-visit Elmfields Gate, home of Winslow United. My only previous visit to the Gate was almost three years to the day, April 7 2015, when United hosted and beat Amersham Town.
As far as I could tell, nothing major had changed at the ground, so I won't go into any detail on that front. The pitch, given how wet it was just a day previously, looked in remarkable condition with only one noticeable sticky patch, in the corner near the changing rooms. Credit to the ground staff and volunteers who had clearly worked hard on the pitch to get the game on.
The game promised to be a close affair. Before kick-off Winslow held the edge, sitting fifth on 53 points but Rangers were just three places and four points worse off. The reverse game, late in December at Windsors, saw Winslow take the three points, winning 3-2 in a game that saw a red card for both sides, Kevin Mealor for Risborough and Simon King for The Ploughmen.
As far as I could tell, nothing major had changed at the ground, so I won't go into any detail on that front. The pitch, given how wet it was just a day previously, looked in remarkable condition with only one noticeable sticky patch, in the corner near the changing rooms. Credit to the ground staff and volunteers who had clearly worked hard on the pitch to get the game on.
The game promised to be a close affair. Before kick-off Winslow held the edge, sitting fifth on 53 points but Rangers were just three places and four points worse off. The reverse game, late in December at Windsors, saw Winslow take the three points, winning 3-2 in a game that saw a red card for both sides, Kevin Mealor for Risborough and Simon King for The Ploughmen.
Down the touchline Both sides struggled to cope with the conditions early on. Although the pitch was perfectly playable, it was clearly still heavy as could be seen by the unpredictable bounce (or non-bounce) of the ball on occasions. However, both sides began to find their feet and managed to string together some reasonable passages of play, but always failing to find the final ball.
Despite the fact that Winslow probably edged possession and made more half-chances, it was Rangers who had the most clear-cut opportunities, making Ashmead the busier of the two goalkeepers. Rangers also managed to get the ball in the United net but were pulled back for what the referee appeared to think was dangerous play in the build-up. It seemed a harsh decision from my view point and was one of a few strange decisions given by the man in the middle. Winslow captain Simon King possibly had his side's best opportunity, heading over from inside the box.
HT Winslow United 0 Risborough Rangers 0. Not that much between the teams. Both sides had chances to take the lead but neither seemed to have brought their shooting boots.
Despite the fact that Winslow probably edged possession and made more half-chances, it was Rangers who had the most clear-cut opportunities, making Ashmead the busier of the two goalkeepers. Rangers also managed to get the ball in the United net but were pulled back for what the referee appeared to think was dangerous play in the build-up. It seemed a harsh decision from my view point and was one of a few strange decisions given by the man in the middle. Winslow captain Simon King possibly had his side's best opportunity, heading over from inside the box.
HT Winslow United 0 Risborough Rangers 0. Not that much between the teams. Both sides had chances to take the lead but neither seemed to have brought their shooting boots.
The Gate Four minutes into the second-half, however, the home side finally took an opportunity. There was an element of luck in the build-up when Simon King's shot was blocked but the ball fell to his brother, Aaron King, who made no mistake despite Rangers stopper Brooker getting a hand to the shot. 1-0.
Rangers immediately set about regaining parity and, as it transpired, the United lead did not last long. Less than five minutes in fact after Rangers were awarded a penalty when Lamar Mason-Williams was felled in the box. Captain Martin Griggs stepped up and levelled the scores. 1-1.
We were then treated to a much more open game than in the first half. Both sides were clearly intent on getting three points and both managed to create chances, but we saw no more goals. That was until well into time added on. As the clock had run down the home side had certainly won more and more possession and, although not laying siege as such, the ball was spending more time in the Rangers half. After 93 minutes, two United substitutes linked up, Anthony Ball went down the right flank and produced, arguably, the best cross of the night. It was met at the far post by another substitute, Harry Dalton, whose header beat Brooker and nested in the net. 2-1.
The drama, however, was not completely over. there was still time for ex-United player Kevin Mealor to earn a second yellow and get sent off for the second time this season against his former team.
FT Winslow United 2 Risborough Rangers 1. United left it very late to get the winner but, on the overall balance of play, just about deserved to get the three points in my opinion.
Winslow United: Ashmead; Bowers, Freshwater, Jenkins, Hussey Page, S King, Delderfield, Kew, Parsons, A King. Subs: Ball, Dalton, Karwacinski, Garbutt
Risborough Rangers: Brooker, Castello, Harrison, Newton, Gordon, Yearwood, Wylie, Davis,Shrimpton, Mason-Williams, Griggs (c). Subs: Mealor, Collins, Rawson, Fox, Clark
Att: 57
Ground Number: Not a new ground
Entrance: £5
Programme: £1
Rangers immediately set about regaining parity and, as it transpired, the United lead did not last long. Less than five minutes in fact after Rangers were awarded a penalty when Lamar Mason-Williams was felled in the box. Captain Martin Griggs stepped up and levelled the scores. 1-1.
We were then treated to a much more open game than in the first half. Both sides were clearly intent on getting three points and both managed to create chances, but we saw no more goals. That was until well into time added on. As the clock had run down the home side had certainly won more and more possession and, although not laying siege as such, the ball was spending more time in the Rangers half. After 93 minutes, two United substitutes linked up, Anthony Ball went down the right flank and produced, arguably, the best cross of the night. It was met at the far post by another substitute, Harry Dalton, whose header beat Brooker and nested in the net. 2-1.
The drama, however, was not completely over. there was still time for ex-United player Kevin Mealor to earn a second yellow and get sent off for the second time this season against his former team.
FT Winslow United 2 Risborough Rangers 1. United left it very late to get the winner but, on the overall balance of play, just about deserved to get the three points in my opinion.
Winslow United: Ashmead; Bowers, Freshwater, Jenkins, Hussey Page, S King, Delderfield, Kew, Parsons, A King. Subs: Ball, Dalton, Karwacinski, Garbutt
Risborough Rangers: Brooker, Castello, Harrison, Newton, Gordon, Yearwood, Wylie, Davis,Shrimpton, Mason-Williams, Griggs (c). Subs: Mealor, Collins, Rawson, Fox, Clark
Att: 57
Ground Number: Not a new ground
Entrance: £5
Programme: £1
RSS Feed