This week Rangers entertained Wendron in a Div 2 fixture. This was to prove to be a somewhat interesting game for Rangers who finished with just 9 serviceable players on the pitch.
The young Wendron side started this game very brightly and within the opening minutes had several good chances to go ahead but failed to find the net when it mattered most. As the half went on Rangers settled and started to play some better football. When Gavin Gums Perraton put them one up it was no real surprise and it did seem to rock Wendron. This first goal was soon followed by a second this time it was Gums who turned provider when he laid in his strike partner for the day TT Hichens, who calmed himself before lifting the ball passed the advancing keeper with another fine shinner.
Wendron refused to crumble in this game and thought they had pulled one back before the half from a well taken free kick. However the Ref had blown up after a Wendron forward stood offside jumping around like a jack in the box trying to distract the keeper. A decision that the Wendron lineman was not best pleased with to say the least.
The second half was again a close run affair and Wendron were again all up in arms early on this time baying for a penalty, Which was duly granted unfortunately the young man could only hit the post but then slotted home the rebound. Again however the Goal was ruled offside this time for the young man playing the ball twice. Again the Wendron players had to have the rules explained to them.
Rangers were still however not out of the woods and were soon reduced to 10 men after a series of tackles flew in. This gave Wendron a real lift and when they did appeared to be clean through they were called back for what appeared a very harsh offside decision. This again brought dismay to the Wendron players who by now thought nothing would go there way. Finally they did however get on the score sheet after getting in behind the rangers back line to slot home and now they pushed looking for the equaliser. This however left them exposed at the back and when Gums added his second the two goal lead was restored.
Rangers a man down worked hard but their next goal was a gift from the Wendron Keeper. Rangers midfielder Old Mother Hubbard fired in a speculative effort from well out which he completely miss hit but somehow it got underneath the keeper and nestled into the net.
The game however still had plenty in it and shortly after the Wendron forwards found themselves in on goal again. The Rangers keeper Grampa Wortley and the on rushing forward clashed in the box and the ball rolled in. This goal was not bad enough for Rangers but worse was the loss of Gramps who was caught by a stray boot (who has since had 8 stitches in a nasty gash just below his knee). With all the Subs already on Rangers were now down to 9 men. The only thing in their favour was the fact that Young Barth Wortley took up the gloves un-be known to Wendron he was a former county youth keeper. They were somewhat surprised when with the ball in hand he unleashed the ball down field clear over the defenders heads where Gums Perraton took advantage and he coolly picked out No Dice Bruno in the box who on debut who slotted home.
The end of the game saw Rangers run out 5 - 2 winners but neither side would feel that the breaks went their way today. In all honesty this had been a game at the beginning that had been played in a good spirit but like the weather had deteriorated as time went on.
Just to make things interesting next week Rangers travel to Wendron in the Cup. Lets hope that next weeks game doesn’t have a hang over from this one.
This week Rangers entertained Rosudgeon in the League and were looking to continue their unbeaten run. This was never going to be an easy game for Rangers and the decision to shuffle the pack for this game nearly cost them dearly.
The game started in the usual frenetic style and both sides had chances to go ahead but neither could apply the touch that was needed. Rangers its fair to say missed several really good opportunities and it was clear from the start that front man Gavin gums Perraton clearly missed his old shooting boots (Let go to help with his credit crunch). I’m sure he has invested his £10 wisely. Icelandic Banks give a better deal than that. In his defence he may have missed some chances but he is still creating them and we all have a bad day occasionally.
It was Rosudgeon who eventually took the lead after breaking forward. Rangers forced to make several tackles in the box but each time the ball fell to another attacker. Eventually landing a the feet of an on rushing midfielder who knocked the ball home. This goal gave the visitors some self belief and they always looked dangerous breaking forward.
The Rangers midfield was not firing on all cylinders this week and the new pairing of Dave half a sandwich Pollard and Wellard Williams wasn’t working well. Williams however did create a great opportunity to pull Rangers level. Playing a quick one two with front man Gary seamstress Richards he drove through the middle of the park and chipped the keeper only to see the ball drift over the bar.
Rangers continued to create openings in this half but over and over they came to nothing. Perraton hit the bar and chipped one over the top when one on one with the keeper. Williams headed over twice and Pollard could only find the keepers hands from well delivered set plays.
At the half time break Rangers shuffled the pack again with Williams having to go off. A back strain he picked up this week taking care of Frank and Pats little one. Also leaving the field was young Tom Heywood in a tactical swop. This saw the introduction of Tom Lazyasell and TT Hichens into the Rangers line up.This change paid dividends within ten minutes of the restart Rangers drew level. With Some great approach work down the right side Barth Wortley crossed the ball to Hitttttchens who shinned home from 3 yards. I must say Wortleys approach work was terrific but cant compare to that of Kevin Kaa Richards in the bar later. Like a scene from jungle book, just don’t look into his eyes lads.
Rangers now on level terms pushed for the winner and yet again missed chances would come to haunt them. Rosudgeon by no means out of this game push forward and when Keeper Grandpa Wortley was knocked to the ground by the advancing striker on one attack the goal was left defenceless and Rangers found themselves down again. The old man in nets was not best pleased with the decision of the ref to have allowed play to go on and he did seem to have a fair point. Poor bloke could have broken a hip in that challenge.
This game still had some life in it yet and Rangers again pushed forward and their endeavour eventually paid off. Gums Perraton hit a shot which the defender decided to bring back on target and oops passed his own keeper, 2 each and still all to play for.
As the game drew to a close either side could have taken all the points. Keeper Wortley made a couple of good stops for Rangers and at the other end two further headers could only find the keepers gloves.
All in all this had been a good game of football and both sides will think they could have won it. Rangers probably wont miss as many chances again this season but if you don’t take them when they come along you can so easily end up on the wrong end of the result. Thanks go to the Ref and Rosudgeon for an entertaining game and we look forward to the return fixture.
This week Rangers travelled the long road to visit high flying Culdrose in an eagerly awaited derby match. Having watched Rangers a few weeks ago getting a real beating from Ports Combo outfit the Culdrose management must have fancied their chances of collecting the points from this clash.
This game could not have got off to a worse for Rangers when with only 40 seconds on the clock they went a goal down. Rangers eighth man Dan Thomas headed the ball into the box to an eagerly waiting Culdrose striker who made no mistake in slotting home. Going one down so early could have spelt disaster for Rangers but they are made of sterner stuff these days.
This game was being turning into a midfield battle and neither side was going to give quarter to the other. Rangers may not have dominated the possession or created to many clear chances but they did play much of the half in the Culdrose half. It was however Culdrose who had the best of the chances but their final ball all to often failed to find its target.
The referee was always on hand in this game and wasn’t shy to enforce the laws. Delivering a salvo of yellow cards he was going to be a tough man to please. Looks like the Cornwall FA won’t go sort again this week.
Rangers got themselves back on level terms before the break after some good work on the flank by Barth Wortley. The young flying winger obviously much better after a bout of sickness last weekend (A jug to far me thinks). It was Rangers front man Gavin Perriton who finished off the move and drew Rangers level with a well taken strike. This ensured the sides went in at the half level.
The second half saw Rangers get straight onto the front foot. Old Mother Hubbard and Taffy Williams were controlling the middle of the park and with the Angry Man Gary Richards hounding the Culdrose back line it looked like they wanted this game more than the home side. Rangers wide men were beginning to have more and more of an influence on this game. With Barth and Thomas linking well on one side and the little terrier Scot Eastwood on the other it was looking good for Rangers. After a break down the right side young Thomas was cruelly brought down after leaving his man flat footed. Up popped the Ref with a deserved Yellow, Unfortanely this time it was the young mans second and Culdrose were reduced to ten.
Rangers now with a man advantage started to take charge and when Gary Richards tapped in their second, after the ball game back of the post from Perriton it was no more than they deserved. Culdrose however were not finished yet and after a long ball into the box was missed by the back four they bounced to draw level. Rangers backline all seemed bigger in the bar must have lost a few inches in the week somewhere.
This game was by no means over yet and as the extra man started to tell on Culdrose it was Rangers who were in charge. After another charge forward it was Richards who again was in the right place at the right time and added to his tally for the day to put Rangers in front again.
Who says lighting can’t strike twice Culdrose again hit a long free kick into the box and low and behold the header was missed again and bang there goes the lead, 3 each. Must work on that one in training sometime or perhaps find taller centre half’s.
Rangers however still had one eye on winning this game and they pushed on for the winner but for all there play and effort it appeared it just wouldn’t come. Then as Culdrose broke forward it looked like a one on one for the lone Culdrose striker but Old Grandpa Wortley had other ideas in nets and charge out to win the ball. He quickly (Well quickly for him looked like slow motion to every one else) regained his feet and struck a long ball forward which Perriton seized on and ran away from the defenders and tucked the ball away to give Rangers the lead again.
As time ran down Culdrose threw all they had left in an attempt to get back on terms again but it wasn’t to be and Perriton was to have the final say. Again he picked the ball up just inside the Culdrose half out stripped the defence and beat the keeper to seal victory for Rangers and his hat trick. Hopefully he is up to next weeks task when the young man turns 18 and finds out what its like to be a real Ranger. Jug anyone……………….
When the final whistle blew it was Culdrose 3 Rangers 5 and the Cornish Fa £60 better off. All in all this had been a very entertaining game and although the football wasn’t the most flowing, it was a hard fought Derby match. Culdrose will look back at this game and think what might have been. It looks like Scooby will be carrying that Rangers Monkey for at least another season.
We at Rangers would like to thank all at Culdrose and the Referee all the best for the season ahead. Thanks for a good game played in a good spirit. Cheers Fella’s.
Porthleven Rangers AFC play in FHFL Div 2 after winning promotion after a hard fought season in division III picking up all the sliverware on the way and winning the treble, Terry Jennings Cup, Wheatly Cobb Cup and Winning the league. We are hoping to build on last years performance and challenge for a good place in division II.
I would like to congratulate all the players after last seasons performance and also would like to congratulate all the players that won awards at the dinner and dance and thank you to the chairman for arranging a very good night! Awards went to:Players of Year: Martin Wortley
Managers Player: Andy Wortley
Young Player of the year: Richard Chambers
Golden Boot: Richard Chambers
Most Improved Player: Liam Chapman
Chairmans Player: Robbie Hitchens
I would like to thank all the local businesses that have offered to sponsor us this year as we would get nowhere without your help.
many thanks go to:
Rolands Happy Plaice of Porthleven for providing us with tracksuit tops.
R and R Fascias for providing the team with new Shirts
South West Plumbing And Heating for providing our new kit.
A video clip of the Rangers Dinner & Dance 2008 held in the Blue Anchor Helston. Enjoy!
Porthleven Rangers Treble Winners 2007-08
Porthleven Rangers has finally finished their Treble season by dominating the league and sweeping the board by taking all three cups: The League Cup, Wheatly Cobb Cup, Terry Jennings Memorial Cup. The best season ever in the rangers history.
A big thanks go out to First European Securities who have sponsored Rangers this season it has definatly helped their winnings ways!
The squad pictured are:
Back Row:Left To Right:
Brian Buxton, Simon Bew (Sec) Cozy Powell (Manager) Dean Williams (Chairman), Andy Wortley (GK) Liam Chapman, Steve Williams, Dave Brand, Tom Layzell, Steve Wortley, Richard Chambers, Ricky Williams.
Front Row: Left To Right:
Shaun Winfield, Eddie Roujk, Adrian Willey, Gary Richards, Martin Wortley, Phil Chambers, Robert Hitchens.
Well Done to all.