Keens Park Rangers 2 Cranleigh 1

Goals: Jonathan O’Shea, James Nixon

Bookings: Adam ‘only a yellow?!’ East

Man of the Match: Jonathan O’Shea

After a two-week sabbatical a thinned out ressies picked up where they left off with a well deserved win over Cranleigh. Such were the selection woes co-manager Mungo was forced to go in goal and even Tigger came out of his enforced retirement to warm the bench.

Glorious spring sunshine ensured everyone was warm enough but the game itself was rather tepid until a fracas, involving Adam East naturally, raised the temperature. East had his man down and was “locked and loaded” when the Cranleigh number eight intervened with a flying ‘tackle’ any American football linebacker would have been proud of.

After the three red cards of a fortnight ago observers on the touchline were hastily placing bets on how many would be brandished once matters had calmed down and had three been shown it is unlikely anyone would have complained too loudly. In the end the referee settled for two yellows, which turned out to be a very canny decision as a football match broke out.

The ressies were certainly the better of the two sides and really ought to have scored two, if not three, before half time but weak shots from James Nixon and an over zealous header from the returning Tommy Newell barely tested the opposition keeper. Possibly the best shot fell to Ryan Midgely but his sweetly struck effort just sailed over the bar.

Much to his relief stand in keeper Mungo was having a comparatively quiet time of it. The defence, marshaled excellently by William Ponsonby, had dealt with everything Cranleigh could muster until the normally reliable Callum Toone under hit a pass that was seized upon by the Cranleigh number ten. Mungo could do no more than watch as the ball sailed over his head and, against the run of play, the ressies went in at half time behind.

A very irritated Nixon was throwing the proverbial tea cups about and gave poor old Midgers a bit of stick but everyone, including Nixon himself, needed to raise their game. Fortunately that is exactly what happened. Newell was beginning to dominate the midfield but it was the tireless work of Jonathan O’Shea up front that really stood out and his efforts were rightly rewarded with a well taken goal from a firmly hit pass from Nixon.

It was then Nixon’s turn the score after Newell had gone on a mazy run that had the Cranleigh defence chasing shadows. Big lump that he is Newell would be an even bigger threat if he could actually use his left foot but he did manage to force a save from the keeper who could only parry it to Nixon who had a simple finish.

Cranleigh had a few chances of their own but a clearance off the line from Ryan Chinga Mitchell and an unorthodox ‘pat’ away from Mungo saw off the best of them before the final whistle after which the players saw off the pasta Bolognese provided by hosts Abbey Rangers.

 

 

‘Tommy scheming’

With two games left in the season let’s hope the players are hungry for two more victories that could see the ressies finish in the top three.

Keens Parks Rangers is a Guildford based football club and we are always looking for new players and sponsorship opportunities. Get in touch with us through our website or our social channels.