RANGERS BACK ON TOP

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

WOODTHORPE PARK RANGERS 10 NOTTINGHAM CITY FC 1

With having to stay local to Mansfield, I opted for the outside pitches of Eagle Valley to see Woodthorpe Park Rangers play against Nottingham City. Going in to the match the hosts were a point behind league toppers Bridgford United with two games in hand.

Nottingham City have been going through a bad patch at present and very nearly folded some weeks ago, but to their credit have been turning out every match, but needed to sign a emergency keeper for this game, as last week they lost a keeper with a broken hand.

Woodthorpe were on the pitch and raring to go, whilst City at kick off time didnt have enough players on the pitch and asked for a 5 minute delay to proceedings, when they did kick off,, they were under constant pressure as they only had 10 players on the pitch, so it came as no surprise when JAMAL MAZLAM opened the scoring.  City then got eleven players on to the pitch and had a couple of bursts forward and with better finishing could well have been on level terms.

After 17 minutes, Rangers top striker MARKELL BAILEY scored his first of the afternoon to open up a two goal lead when firing in to the near post. The game went through a bit of a scrappy stage with both teams having a few chances, but on 39 minutes, Rangers were awarded a free kick just outside of the area, to which MARKELL BAILEY floated in to the top corner of the net to make it 3-0. Just on half time, the visiting goalkeeper went down and didnt re-appear for the second half, so a outfield player had to take the reins.

After 47 minutes Rangers stretched their advantage when DARREN OLDHAM made it 4-0, Nottingham City didnt give up and scored the goal the game, when GLODI BANDE smashed a superb 35 yard shot in to the corner of the net.

On 66 minutes, MARKELL BAILEY converted his hat trick by firing home a penalty, then City nearly scored their second of the game, when from kick off a lob from the half way line caught the home keeper off his line and it bounced it front of him before scrapping the crossbar and going over.

After 77 minutes, Rangers scored twice in a minute, when DANIEL WALKER headed home at the back post and straight from kick off DARREN OLDHAM floated a lovely chip in to the far corner of the net to make it 7-1.

On 80 minutes, DARREN OLDHAM completed his hat trick, with five minutes later, CONNOR SCOTT PARKIN getting on the scoresheet, before the last kick of the game belonged to man of the match MARKELL BAILEY who made it 10-1.

I would like to thank to the following for the kind donations to the Charitys Blog, which is for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE, Herbie and Sue for £10, PJ Harte for £10 on behalf of Woodthorpe Park Rangers FC and to Jim Bethall for £5, with the 11 goals scored, it nows takes the running total to a amazing £1,206.00

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK