Porthleven Rangers 0 v Frogpool/Cusgarne 0

This week Rangers entertained the two teams Frogpool & Cuscarne in what was a chilling encounter. The conditions didn't help to make this the best of games with a strong and cold wind blowing across an exposed field but it was a real nail biter for both sides.

Rangers started this game with the managers words ringing in their ears about commitment and attitude and they responded well and started about the opposition with some gusto. It was Rangers who dominated the early play and with the wind in their favour pushed Frogpool back. With the best of the chances going Rangers way it looked like it was a matter of time before they would score.

The middle of the park in this contest was not for the faint hearted and with both sets of players giving as good as they got. With Frogpool playing with five in the middle the Rangers four had their work cut out but responded to the challenge in great style. When the Rangers front line of TT Hichens and Ice Leach did get on the ball they found the keeper in good form and he made a couple of saves early on. When the keeper was beaten on two occasions the ball was cleared of the line and when it missed them it struck the post. This appeared to be one of those days when nothing would go in and no matter how much Rangers dominated there was always that chance of a counter attack.

When Frogpool did at one point break on Rangers a free kick was conceded five yards from the edge of the box. As the Rangers players walked away Frogpool went early and when a shot struck a defender the ball went for a corner.

This interlude allowed words to be exchanged between Linesman and Referee reference his pre game chat about slowing it down in and around the box, taking the ten yards and playing the whistle.

The Referee by now was not exactly enamoured with proceedings up to now, was in no mood to talk. The resultant corner saw keeper Wortley come and claim under pressure and have a feel of the post with the back of his bonce. This was as close as Frogpool came to scoring in the half and even that had ended in a free kick. Rangers back line of Thomas, Willets, Wortley and Williams never looked like conceding and with Pensioner Wortley taking charge and using his many, many, many years of experience it would be a long day for the Frogpool forwards.

The second half again started brightly for Rangers and with several early chances going missing. Then as things started to look good disaster struck when Rangers mid fielder Dave take me off Brand was taken down from behind. The Ref however didn't see it as a foul and awarded a throw in. Both sets of managers agreed it was a foul, all the players knew it was a foul, but the Ref makes the decisions. This did lead to a confrontation between player and Ref it was not exactly the first confrontation. The Ref had about enough by now and would have the last word and finally produced a Red card. Fair call to be honest and no one could argue with the Red but the initial decision for a throw in was not his best of the day.

Rangers now down to Ten men and playing into the breeze and with nearly 40 minutes to go would surely struggle. Frogpool failed to make any changes in formation even when Rangers adjusted to just one up top. Yet still it was Rangers that created chances and when TT went through on goal it looked like glory beckoned, but the clubs top scorer knocked the ball wide of the mark when it appeared easier to score. This was followed by chances for Steve Wortley, Jonny Leach, and Si Hubbard none of which found the mark and the keeper again kept his side in it. The Frogpool bench was not exactly a happy place to be at this time and several players received some very stern words, of shall we call it, encouragement.

With time starting to run out Rangers still refused to buckle and as Frogpool press they countered time and time again all of which was starting to take its toll on the legs. When centre half Ryan Hammy Willets decided he was to tired to go on, he pulled up with his usual hamstring some would say no change there. This led to the introduction of another pensioner into the back four when player manager Powell was forced to play. Now with another old head at the back time running out and everyone digging into their reserves it was going to be hard Frogpool to find a way through.

Frogpool did start to press hard and Rangers now very tired started to drop a little to deep. The final few minutes were nearly all played in the Rangers half but apart from one good save from Wortley Junior in goal Frogpool never looked likely to score. When the final whistle blew both sides were happy to have escaped with a point. Rangers should, could, and maybe deserved more out of this one but it was not to be. They did however find some spirit and a desire that has been missing for several weeks and even with Ten men still appeared the better side.

Next week Rangers travel to play Camborne Park in what could again prove a real test.

Match Report By Cozy P

Porthleven Rangers 3 v Carharrack

This week Rangers entertained the leagues bottom side Carharrack and came away with all the points after a blustery game.

Rangers welcomed back a couple of old faces to the side, when long term injured players Neal Jaffa Bartlett, Pension book Andy Wortley and even the ginger winger Ryan Hughes all returned to the playing field.

This was always going to be a game of two half's with a strong breeze blowing end to end across a very exposed field. Instructions for the skipper to take the wind if given the chance allowed Rangers to play with three up top and three at the back for the first half.

Rangers dominated the first half and were never really tested at the back. Neal Bartlett put Rangers one up after a fine piece of individual skill and with one of his best scuffed shots found the bottom corner of the net. This was soon followed by the young Jonny Ice Cool Leach who having lifted the ball over the advancing keeper latched on again and scored into an empty net. If that wasn't enough after a marauding Old mother Hubbard went clean through the defence and was brought down in the box. Up stepped TT Hichens to slot home the resultant penalty, allegedly after fainting left then right and finally dipping a shoulder so he says.

It is fair to say however that Rangers should have put this game well and truly to bed before the half time whistle blow. This however was not the case with several chances going begging and with a very effective offside trap catching player after player offside. With two or three clear breaks called back for what appeared to be very quick flags the gap was not as big as it should have been when the whistle went.

The second half was always going to be tough into the wind. It was Rangers who created the first real opportunity and when front man Bartlett beat the trap and the keeper, it was not to be and the wind carried the ball outside the post, with the whole park watching and thinking it must surely have gone in.

Carharrack did now finally start to press and with the wind at their backs gained a foot hold in the game. Rangers sometimes being a little over confident on the ball did create some of their own trouble but it was an error from Rangers Keeper Tiddles Pawley that led to Carharracks first goal. Caught in two minds whether to come or not he finally elected to come and the forward gratefully lifted the ball into an unguarded net.

Rangers seemed to have replied almost straight away after Jonny Ice and TT combined for what seemed a clear goal. With TT running from behind a defender and having the ball laid back to him by Jonny he slotted home with ease. The Ref blow up and several players started to make their way back to the centre spot, the Linesman and Referee had other ideas though and a free kick was awarded for off side.

Carharrack having survived that incident pressed again and when Tiddles was beaten for a second time the ball was cleared of the line by the Pension Book himself Andy Wortley. This scramble lifted the away side and when Rangers got caught in possession deep in their own half a gleeful forward knock a ball passed the advancing keeper to make it 3 - 2. With time now virtually up however it was a mere consolation goal and when the whistle did finally blow it was Rangers 3 Carharrack 2.

This was a good performance by the bottom side and showed that when given some believe they could prove to be a handful for several sides yet. Rangers will be happy to have taken the points and kept themselves in the mix for this years promotion contest. They will however need to raise their game if they intend to remain in that hunt come the end of the season.

Match Report By Cozy Powell