| BLACKPOOL RICKETT IS JUST THE
TICKET
Rangers got back on the winning trail thanks to
a piece of defending that wouldn't have looked out of place at Gerry
Cottles Circus. To be fair we were the better side for the majority
of the game but it took that little piece of luck that has been
missing for some time to tie things up.
Holloway was able to call on the
services of Clarke Carlisle just nine days after tearing a calf
muscle at Crewe. Showing healing powers that pay testament to his
Superman status he was able to team up in defence with usual
partners Palmer and Shittu.
Simon Royce was back in goal after
signing another months loan deal and Jerome Thomas was finally fit
enough to take his place in the starting line up. From kick off it
was as if he had never been away as he received his obligatory foul
inside the centre circle.
Blackpool had the first chance of the
game as Hills smashed the ball across goal and Chris Clarke
obligingly allowed it to pass him, thankfully he wouldn't be so
wasteful later in the game. Rangers' first opportunity came when
Thomas worked an opening and sent a drive goalward that was well
held by Phil Barnes. Clarke Carlisle was next to try his luck and
saw his header cleared off the line. It would have been a terrific
birthday present but it wasn't to be.
The opening goal when it came was an
absolute peach. Terrell Forbes acted quickly to break up a Blackpool
attack and mugged his marker before sending an exquisite fifty yard
ball onto Langley's outstretched foot. As the defenders seemed to
back away he took the opportunity to surge toward the School End
before sending a low left footed drive past Barnes and into the
corner. The ground erupted and Langley's cocky celebration was
superb.
It was all Rangers by now and more
goals should have come. Dan Shittu had yet another header cleared
off the line and both Thomas and Gallen pulled shots wide when they
should have done much better. All the while at the other end Simon
Royce was enjoying the most leisurely of returns with only the odd
goal kick to trouble him.
The second half didn't bring any
change in pattern as Rangers went for the jugular from the off. Paul
Furlong should have scored when he was picked out by Gallen's
pinpoint cross. He seemed to wait for the ball rather than attack it
and he allowed Clarke to clear. This was pretty typical of Furlong
performance all evening, he was knocked off the ball far too often
for my liking and he was lucky he wasn't replaced long before he
finally made way for Oli.
The Blackpool equaliser came with
their first shot of the game and it was an absolute gift. Not for
the first time this season Shittu was left wanting and Rangers were
made to pay. Blackpool launched a quick counter attack following a
Rangers corner and everything seemed OK as defenders rushed back
into position. Shittu slid in to try and dispossess Hills and only
served to turn the ball goalward where Taylor was waiting to slot
home. It was a schoolboy error from Big Dan, why he played the ball
toward goal only he knows, it should have gone for a corner, luckily
it didn't cost us the points.
When it comes to costing points you
only need ask Chris Clarke about that. Only two minutes after they
had equalised the big Blackpool centre back gifted Rangers one of
the most comical own goals I have ever seen
There seemed to be little threat when
Gallen was dispossessed on the edge of the box and Clarke looked to
turn the ball back to Barnes. Barnes pointed to his right to guide
Clarke's pass, Clarke ignored him and went the other way. Barnes
then tried to clear but took an air shot and the ball rolled just
inside the post. I don't think I've laughed at an own goal so much
since Andy Pearce's stunner for Coventry back in the Premier League
days.
The game had a real ebb and flow to it
now as Blackpool went searching for yet another equaliser and
Rangers tried to seal the game. Jerome Thomas almost scored a
Wegerle-esque goal when he weaved his way round four players only to
be foiled as he tried to walk round Barnes for a tap in.
Matthew Rose had now been pushed onto
the right wing and his tireless running was forcing a succession of
corners. Rangers should really have done better from them and this
was perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the performance.
Barnes was alert to deny Gallen with
another sharp effort and Furlong sent a header over the bar when
well placed. Thomas, Rose and Furlong eventually made way for
Connolly, Oli and Thomson as legs began to tire. Thomson could have
scored had he not been cynically upended by Ritchie Wellens as he
burst toward goal. Only the presence of another defender and the
tangerine tinted spectacles of Mr Joslin saved the day. A booking
seemed a little inadequate somehow.
This was another solid performance by
Rangers albeit assisted by that little bit of luck that every team
needs. Although it was close Rangers deserved to take the points
simply on the basis that we created a hatful of chances.
I wouldn't be surprised if Holloway
tries to partner Thommo and Gallen again shortly as there will come
a time when we need to start taking some of the chances against the
Oldham's and Wigan's of the world. Furlong has not been good for the
last couple of games and maybe the old fella could do with a little
rest. We should win fairly comfortably against Cheltenham (famous
last words eh?) and that would put us back ahead of the two points a
game target for promotion.
simon@qprnet.com |
