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Rangers bounced back from last weeks disappointing defeat at the hands of Wigan to crush Blackpool with a scintillating second half display. Richard Langley once again proved to be the scourge of Blackpool with a stunning hat-trick to end their promotion hopes.
Holloway had his hand forced in terms of his starting line up with Terrell Forbes the latest to injure his ankle. Stephen Kelly had been brought in from Spurs on deadline day to provide cover. He lined up alongside Shittu, Carlisle and Padula in the back four. With Chris Day seemingly growing in confidence by the week the Rangers defence has become a fearsome beast in recent weeks. It was as you were in midfield and attack with Langley, Palmer, Bircham and McLeod being spearheaded by Gallen and Furlong. With a large Rangers following roaring the team on there were many in the crowd hoping that the usual rabbit in the headlights performance wouldn't follow. From the first thirty minutes of the game you would have thought that both sides seasons had finished, as it became a war of attrition. Both teams attempted to probe the others defensive capabilities and Rangers were finding the forward running of Bullock and Wellens in the Blackpool midfield difficult to handle. Bircham and Palmer spent much of the half looking at their backs as they powered away from them time and again. In Bullock they have a player that runs quicker with the ball than he does without it. If only his trial game for the R's a couple of seasons ago had been more successful. Furlong and Steve Palmer both attempted effort from distance. Furlong hit a shot on the turn that flew well wide and then Palmer cracked a volley at goal that was easily gathered by Phil Barnes. Bullock came close to giving Blackpool the lead when he sent a screamer at goal that beat Day only to be headed over by Langley. Just after the half hour mark Rangers took the lead through a Langley special. Paul Furlong had won a freekick twenty five yards from goal and Langley stepped up to take it. At the time I commented that Barnes had left a large gap to his right but even if he hadn't he wouldn't have got anywhere near it. Langley sent the ball curling over the wall and in off the bottom of the bar. He went off on a lap of honour, tearing his shirt off in the process. Like a good skipper should, Steve Palmer tidied up after him and gave his dirty washing back! Five minutes before the break Rangers inexplicably had a goal disallowed. Gino whipped in a right wing corner and Shittu rose to glance past Barnes. The celebrations were in full swing when the ref spotted the linesman's flag. There had been no foul and he was obviously trying to keep the game close. Maybe he didn't want to upset the landlady at his B & B! The ref hadn't seen an offence and could have over-ruled but this would have been out of keeping with his poor performance in general. Rangers were still well on top when the mother and father of all goalmouth scrambles erupted minutes after the break. Rangers won another corner and Shittu headed against the bar. Gallen hit the bar again, Carlisle, Furlong and Shittu all had follow ups hacked off the line as a real Sunday league moment ensued. The ref could have stopped it but seemed happy for the players to kick lumps out of each other. When it predictably ended in a brawl he singled Carlisle and Blackpool's Flynn out for yellow cards. Two bookings of his own making, you had to wonder whether his performance was commission based. Day had been under worked largely due to some impressive performances in front of him. Shittu and Carlisle were snuffing out the threat of Robinson and Walker, whilst any tidying up was done by Padula and Kelly, who was having an excellent debut. Day blocked a Taylor show with ease just before Rangers kicked up a gear. The R's were hitting Blackpool with counter attack after counter attack, most of them coming down the left where McLeod was linking well with Gallen and Furlong. One lovely move saw McLeod released into the box and his cross was slightly behind Furlong and he contrived to fire away from goal. Another lightning break led to Furlong being fouled by Flynn. For once the ref got it right and allowed play to go on as McLeod found Langley with a cross field ball. Everybody was expecting step overs and flicks but instead Langley squared up Grayson and shot early past Barnes. Another stunning finish from Langley and one that made you wonder why he doesn't score more goals. The threat of Bullock and Wellens from midfield was still there and Holloway moved to counter it. Initially Gallen moved to wide right leaving Furlong alone in attack but he soon withdrew Furlong for Rose, moving Gallen into the lone front man role. With five across the middle the Rangers players continued to pour forward whenever they could and the third goal came courtesy of another counter attack. Gallen moved forward and held the ball as support runners joined him. McLeod burst past him and Gallen fed the ball into his path. He sent a lovely cross into the six yard box where Langley threw himself at the ball to head his hat-trick goal. It was great play from the two wide men and it is the sort of area that should be exploited far more often. McLeod almost added a fourth in the dying stages when his fierce twenty yarder was well held by Barnes. Blackpool managed a consolation in injury time when Scott Taylor proved too hot for Kelly and out muscled the youngster to head past Day. This was a great performance and a great win to wash away the taste of last weeks defeat. Langley had his best game for a long time and he was in his pomp on the right side, tricking his man and spraying the ball around. He also linked well with young Kelly who may have been man of the match on any other day. A similar performance is needed next week as Rangers enter the Bluebirds cage! A point is the minimum we must take, as we cannot allow Tranmere to close that gap any further.
simon@qprnet.com
