FRAMPTON UNITED 4-0 RUARDEAN HILL RANGERS: THE MATCH REPORT...

Frampton Finally Find Goals, Following Taylor’s Penalty Save…

Frampton United 4-0 Ruardean Hill Rangers

This game was strangely even until the final ten minutes of the opening period when United apparently realised where the opposition goal-frame was located. Earlier, a Nathan Dennis header had been cleared from the goal-line but that effort apart, the hosts were unable to threaten visiting goalie Aaron Underwood much at all. The guests were actually lively in attack, mainly through the decent footwork and slipperiness of Luke Johnson but home gloveman Taylor was rarely troubled. However, a late scurry of chances for Frampton before the recess changed all that. After the interval for cupcakes and hot chocolate, Frampton finally scored, via a Fin Blythe free-kick but then conceded a penalty, which Johnson took but Taylor saved. This proved to be the barn door opening up and dangerous home forward Ryan Vincent showed how to score with a penalty, then he added a third goal, before Dennis surely frowned the ball into the net for goal four.

"THE BLOKE PUTTING THE BOOTS ON OVER THERE IS GONNA RUN THE LINE..."

That final goal came from a free-kick on the left, following what might loosely be called ‘a foul’ by Ranger Matt Bluett, whose belly-high ‘collision’ with Vincent on the left byeline was clearly in retaliation for a previous incident. At first I thought it had been as a result of a challenge on visiting central defender Bobby Walding by home replacement Stuart Maule but perhaps something had happened between Vincent and Bluett immediately prior to that… Had Bluett blown it? Er, no, for the culprit wasn’t dismissed by the stand-in referee, who merely waved a cringeworthy yellow card at the defender. Maybe that was a result of the official’s role as replacement ref’, or more likely it was the abject fear of Bluett’s bearded glare… 

BLUETT'S BEARDED GLARE EXITS THE IMAGE, RIGHT...

Ah, the refereeing situation… The proper ref’ went to the wrong Frampton, apparently. Yes, really… A local Frampton chap took the flag of the guy who had taken the whistle and in truth he was as honest as the nights are long in November, even calling the referee across to award a penalty against Frampton… Now there’s a novelty. He flagged for offside regularly against his own forwards and to witness this was as refreshing as it was admirable…  

HARPER BEATS CORNWELL-BOOTE...

So, on to the action… A quick start was made by the guests on a remarkably good pitch, considering the recent flooding and the proximity of Bell Field to the River Severn. This soon led to a cleared Rangers corner and the impressive Captain Ranger Luke Brown saw his low drive deflected wide for another flag-kick. Indeed, both number 8s were called Brown and both goalies were called Aaron, despite the fact that Lee Manns wasn’t in the Ruardean starting line-up, for he was probably taking part in a 24 hour motor race…

JOHNSON (10): "GODS, O'NEILL, YOU ARE SO LOQUACIOUS..."

Otherwise before the interval, the hosts struggled to avoid their linesman’s flag, although Ranger Jack Meek did clear Dennis’ powerful header off the goal-line at the right stick from Manolo Espada’s corner. Espada drove one effort well wide and also fed Vincent for a near post shot which was easily picked up by Underwood. Matt Cook’s looping header dropped wide but just when it looked like Rangers were heading for half-time with some ease, United suddenly became dynamic. The wily and much involved midfielder Frazer Wilson hit a shot from downtown which Underwood moved left for and palmed away, then a low drive by Vincent forced a reaction save low to his right by the previously under-employed ‘keeper. An angled delivery by home striker Kris Bulley, who was, er, no bully of a forward, more of a runner, was deflected for a corner, Liam Harper made a rush forward but drove wide and Blythe shot way too high. Dennis also shot one effort from distance which bounced off and threatened the safety of a conservatory at the rear of a house behind the goal…   

WILSON CHASES JOHNSON...

Thus the Hillmen retired to their dressing-room somewhat relieved to still be level. The hosts really might have used Dennis’ height at set-pieces more often in truth but his skipper, the loquacious Liam O’Neill was always on hand to pick up loose balls at the back and encourage his players, as well as advise the referee. It’s what he does… Matt Cook? Ah, well, on the handwritten team-sheet, his surname appeared to have a t on the end, not a k, which is why there’s a Coot mentioned a number of times on my commentary… Must check the names in the programme next time… Sorry, Matt.

DENNIS, RIGHT: HOPING THE HOUSE-OWNER DIDN'T NOTICE IT WAS HIM WHO RIFLED A BALL AT HIS CONSERVATORY...

The game certainly became a little more end-to-end after the visitors went a goal down, courtesy of a left-booted free-kick from 23 yards by Blythe, whose shot dropped inside the right upright, proving too tough for Underwood to claw out. This goal came after a couple of offensive sorties by United on the left-flank, whereby Underwood knocked away a cross by Espada and Bulley’s left-side centre evaded everyone. The response by Rangers was led by Luke Brown, who set off on one of his thrusting runs, leaving Dennis menaced and on his arse. However, the advancing Taylor threw himself down at the Captain’s feet and eventually a penalty was awarded. Taylor dived low and left to keep out Johnson’s spot-kick though but certainly Johnson had deserved a goal for his efforts. However, it wasn’t to be. He had a later shot deflected off target and was also tackled well by Dennis when he made rapid ground into the home penalty-box. 

1-0: BLYTHE...

WHEN THE CELEBRATORY COUNTRY DANCING DIDN'T GO QUITE AS PLANNED...

Both 10s, Johnson and Vincent, were similarly good in possession interestingly, but when the hosts made a substitution Ryan Ford’s first involvement was to chase the ball towards the right byeline where he tumbled over the falling Underwood and won a penalty. Vincent rapped a low spot-shot to Underwood’s right, deep into the net and really it seemed that the game was over. However Stuart Cornwell-Boote kicked a shot over the Frampton crossbar and Luke Brown had one shot deflected over the target by O’Neill and another spilled by Taylor but Johnson was flagged offside as he attempted to get onto the rebound, which was hacked clear anyway. 

2-0: VINCENT, 3RD FROM LEFT.
(BLUETT'S STARE IS EVIDENT...)

Replacement forward Maule then turned the ball into Vincent’s path and a low left-footer beat Underwood from 16 yards to make it 3-0 then Bluett took Vincent out and Dennis’ near post presence saw Blythe’s byeline free-kick turned into the net by the tall defenceman. Maule’s lob had dropped just wide before that as he began to put his weight about, causing some feisty reactions from Walding and Bluett but subsequently the game was deservedly won by Frampton although both Johnson and Luke Brown continued to look very effective for Rangers. 

VINCENT'S LOW DRIVE BEATS UNDERWOOD FOR 3-0...

DENNIS (4) SCORES GOAL 4...

ALL OVER & BLUETT NEEDS A PINT...

Blythe and Harper looked decent wingbacks for the hosts, Wilson was reliable throughout, Espada was lively at times but Vincent was the offensive blade. There was no doubting the effort displayed by Rangers’ defence, with Brian Burke helping out with the workload of Bluett and Walding, whilst Andrew Coleman, Charley Mason (whose set-pieces were laudable) and Mitch Griffin could not be faulted for their efforts…

"WILL SOMEBODY GET THIS COAT-HANGER OUT OF MY SHIRT?"

The referee may not have found the ground from somewhere nearby but I managed it from Solihull, which was just as well as Frampton’s manager Josh Loveridge wasn’t present, although he wasn’t lost; merely the ‘best man’ at a wedding… 

BELL FIELD'S DECENT PITCH...

At least he would get to watch the video highlights… 

TEAMS:

FRAMPTON UNITED:

AARON TAYLOR, FIN BLYTHE, LIAM HARPER, NATHAN DENNIS, FRAZER WILSON, MATT COOK, LIAM O’NEILL (CAPT), DOM BROWN, KRIS BULLEY, RYAN VINCENT, MANOLO ESPADA.

SUBS:

STUART MAULE, RYAN FORD, RENE NISTOR, PETE DAVIES.

RUARDEAN HILL RANGERS:

AARON UNDERWOOD, BRIAN BURKE, JACK MEEK, MATT BLUETT, BOBBY WALDING, CHARLEY MASON, STUART CORNWELL-BOOTE, LUKE BROWN (CAPT), ANDREW COLEMAN, LUKE JOHNSON, MITCH GRIFFIN.

SUBS:

FIN JONES, ADAM COLE, BEN BALL.