21/22 Match Report – 20th November

TWEEDMOUTH RANGERS 0 ARNISTON RANGERS 3

Both teams went into this game looking to make it three wins on the trot. Three first half goals snared the points for the visiting Rangers on what turned out to be an extremely frustrating afternoon for the home side exemplified by the last of the three.

With half time looming, the referee had no alternative but to award a penalty when Ciaran Hatsell slipped inside the area and whilst on the ground inadvertently controlled the ball with his hand. Michael Kennedy converted from the spot. This goal was definitely his whereas Arniston’s seventh minute opener was technically an own goal. Kennedy’s header off Stephen Anderson’s free kick beat keeper Mark Walters after bouncing off Jack Forster’s shoulder.

Arniston sought to maximise first half advantage of going downfield with the wind. At the edge of his box, Walters was forced to head away a lob intended for Declan Knox, recently released by the Old Shielfield club.

Knox had a better moment in the 22nd minute when he head flicked Tyron McLean’s cross over Walters to make it 2-0.

There followed a spell when Tweedmouth had more of the play. Craig Colquhoun made ground with his pacey runs on the right wing. Keeper James McQueen conceded a corner as Regan Graham’s shot came perilously close to his post. Michael Robinson missed the most clear cut chance of all, created by Graham, just after Tweedmouth’s pressure threatened to be punctured by McLean, Walters pushing his close range hit over the bar.

The previous week, Tweedmouth scored four times but, in spite of doing the bulk of the attacking after the turnaround, continued to show a decided lack of punch. A short pass from Forster, who topped the tackle count with his midfield tenacity, provided an early opportunity for Drew Cummings but his grass cutter sped outside McQueen’s post. Something similar from Forster late on allowed Graham to have another crack but McQueen held firm. Minutes before, Tweedmouth’s skipper seemed poised to finally give the hosts something to cheer as he drove forward only for his Arniston counterpart, Elliot Grieve, to come across to make a great blocking tackle a couple of yards out from goal.

Second half attacks by the Gorebridge team were occasional. In the clear, Luka Coyle could have done better near the hour but lobbed the ball well over the bar. Twenty minutes later, Evan Smith cut out another dangerous cross from McLean whilst Michael Johnston’s blast over the top in the dying stages was an unsuccessful bid to fashion a spectacular ending.