Gorleston Rangers FC

Match report by Martin Lovell

Norfolk Girls League Under 11
Saturday 29th January

Sprowston 6v1 Gorleston Rangers

Defending champions faced a difficult trip to champions elect Sprowston.  The home side were in good form after an excellent home win against second placed Cromer.  On a bitterly cold day and a pitch slightly frozen in places, Rangers could only field 7 girls.  

It was a scrappy start and the cold conditions took their toll, when a key Sprowston player had to leave the field after only 5 minutes with a foot problem.  It didn’t stop the home side from taking the lead.  Inspired by a fine keeper, Rangers were holding their own, but were hit by a huge blow midway through the half, when they lost a player due to injury.  Down to 6 players and Sprowston made it 2-0 before the break. 

The injured player returned for the second half, but was struggling.  Sprowston made it 3-0 right at the start with a superb goal.  Their right winger found the ball in space and her first time cross was volleyed home for a wonderful goal, that was sportingly applauded by the visiting supporters.  

It was a big blow, but the Rangers girls didn’t give up and fought back strongly.  A surging run down the middle resulted it a long range shot, saw the keeper fumble the ball, where a waiting forward tucked the rebound home.  

3-1 and Rangers showed why they were champions with some lovely flowing football. The home keeper made a series of good stops, to keep the home side in front.  But the numbers game was to tell as Rangers started to tire.  3 late goals by the rampant Sprowston team sealed a flattering 6-1 victory.