No luck for Hotspurs
A game that summarized the season so far from Hotspurs. Lots of hard work but just no breaks!
Hotspurs arrived well prepared for what is always a tough game against the well organized Rangers. In the first half both teams traded blows in midfield without creating too many chances. Hotspurs worked hard to close down and break up play and get the ball to the wide men and forwards. However this hard work did not result in too many shots on target. Rangers came close on a couple of occasions with counter attacks that were either well saved or missed. Hotspurs should have broken the deadlock on a couple of occasions but failed to hit the target with just the keeper to beat.
The half time team talk ordered more of the same, get the ball wide, and get some shots on target. The orders were followed and Nick D, having another fine game, nearly headed Spurs in front only to be denied by a fine save!
The next 15 minutes or so mirrored the first half with both teams working hard in midfield and trying in vain to create chances. However, the critical break fell to Rangers as Toddy snuck in behind the defenseto find himself with only Nick H to beat. Nick, closing the striker down out of his area found himself with no choice but to save the shot resulting in a red card. A red card that was clear it should be said but there was no need for the signals and hand gestures from the Rangers bench to the referee for a red card to be issued. This may happen in Europe but there is no need for it here!
So with Hotspurs a goalkeeper down and with 10 men on the field had to regroup. Nick D heroically grabbed the gloves and donned the tight fitting tangerine jersey and promptly pulled of the save of the match form the resulting freekick. He was however powerless to stop the Rangers taking the lead shortly after and the numerical advantage began to show.
Hotspurs played the rest of the half in competitive fashion and nearly equalized with the ball rolling across goal and when on the final whistle the ball was scrambled away form the rangers goal after bouncing around.
All in all a tough break for hotspurs who played with good shape and great spirit even when reduced to ten. Congratulations to Rangers for another competitive and enjoyable game.
The referee was good today and was quick to act and quash any dissent on either side keeping good control of the match throughout.
MOM Rangers - Toddy, proving a thorn in the Hotspurs side once again proving age doesn’t matter!
MOM Hotspurs – a few candidates but it must go to Nick D for a solid performance on the field and a great performance in goal.