MATCH REPORT
Date : 1st April 2023
Opposition : Ormiston Primrose
Venue : Away
Scorers : Rhys Bloomfield, Connor Brian
Booked : None
Sent Off : None
Attendance : 39
Referee : Ewan Pow
Team Lineup :
Niall Frampton
Joao Vieira
Kieran Cromarty
Evan Smith
Rhys Dixon
Rhys Bloomfield
Joe Hamill (trialist)
Jack Forster
Regan Graham
Craig Bell
Michael Robinson
Subs :
Jack Jones
Jake Gibson
Jay Atkinson on for Craig Bell 70 mins
Connor Brian on for Joao Vieira 57 mins
Match Report :
After coming from behind to lead 2-1, Tweedmouth Rangers had to settle for a draw, their fourth of the season, at New Recreation Park. Playing as a trialist for Rangers, former Hearts, Leicester City and more recently, Musselburgh Athletic player-manager Joe Hamill put in a solid performance in midfield but it was the teams’ respective opening goal scorers who most caught the eye.
Ormiston left winger Ben Tracey was cautioned early on for a foul on Craig Bell, one of three home players to see yellow, but he put his team ahead in the 11th minute after taking a cross from the right.
Like Tracey, Rangers’ Rhys Bloomfield always looked dangerous on the ball, frequently breaking out of tackles and leaving opponents behind. Bell’s centre field pass set him off on a storming run which he finished with an unstoppable 28th minute shot into the home net from just inside the penalty area.
Tweedmouth were on top for a good bit of the second half and eventually went in front. Connor Brian marked his return to the club, dashing forward between defenders to head in Regan Graham’s 69th minute corner.
Tracey didn’t finish the match, limping off after a second half spell on the right wing. Shortly after his departure, Ormiston no. 9 Jay Murray turned inside two markers to earn a chance at goal but keeper Niall Frampton read the situation well, going down to hold the ball securely.
Within minutes, Tweedmouth also missed an opportunity. Bloomfield won the race as he and Jay Atkinson both chased a poor back pass from home centre half Guy Kerr. Goalkeeper Kieran Beveridge got a sufficient touch of the ball to force Bloomfield’s shot beyond the post.
The East Lothian team got back on level terms nine minutes from time. Tweedmouth were in a real spot of bother in their bottom left pocket. Frampton came out but was helpless as Murray Gilfillan, who had claimed an ‘assist’ in his side’s first goal, now defied the tight angle to send the ball shaking the far bottom corner of the net.
Rangers won more corners before the final whistle. At the back post, Kieran Cromarty got his foot to the first but Beveridge was right on the spot to safely catch the ball. Bloomfield had another crack following the next one, this time, Beveridge forcefully fisting the ball clear.