Chandlers Ford 5-4 Lee Rangers

CHANDLERS FORD 5-4 LEE RANGERS

22.1.05 – FRIENDLY

Chandlers Ford started brightly on their home pitch against the side that are currently bottom of the ‘A’ League. The division difference between the two sides however was not noticeable for large periods of this fierce, friendly encounter.

The home side got off to a flying start after they piled on the pressure Ronan Galloway won a corner, which eventually resulted in a 1-0 lead to CFY. Defender, David Phillips was the coolest player on the pitch when he smashed the ball home from 10 yards when he reacted quickest to a poor clearance from a Rangers defender.

The hosts enjoyed large periods of possession throughout the half, and it wasn’t long before Chandlers Ford had the ball in the back of the net. This time Jozef Montigue was the finisher and Galloway the provider, as Joe tapped the ball over the line from close range.

Montigue doubled his tally towards the end of the half in similar fashion as he found himself in the right place at the right time to knock the ball past a stranded Lee Rangers keeper to send the home side into a comfortable 3-goal lead.

However this half was not over as Lee Rangers caught the CFY defence off guard on a quick breakaway which resulted in the visitors pulling a goal back just before the interval with a neat volley from inside the box.

HALF TIME – CFY 3-1 Lee Rangers

The goal before half-time seemed to spur the away side on, as they came out of the blocks very quickly in the second half and found themselves right back in the game when they scored two good goals with just 7 minutes played in the second half.

Chandlers Ford were looking nervy at times and were probably wondering how on earth they lost their two-goal cushion so quickly. Lee Rangers took the lead for the first time in the game when yet another blistering break away led to their fourth goal as the ball just crept over the line and the goal stood despite the complaints from the home sides players.

However CFY found their rhythm again and they started to pass the ball around and create problems for the Lee Rangers defence. Substitute Reece Middleton was a big threat for Chandlers Ford and he was awarded a penalty for having his shirt pulled in the box. Ryan Chinn scored a vital goal from the resulting penalty for the home side as he nestled the ball in the bottom corner, and got his side the equaliser that in the end proved to be the turning point in the game.

With about 8 minutes to go Reece Middleton made a powerful run down the left and blasted the ball into the roof of the net for Chandlers Ford’s fifth goal with a great strike.

Lee Rangers couldn’t find a reply late on as CFY ran the clock down by keeping possession.

FULL TIME – CFY 5-4 Lee Rangers