| TONY ROBERT'S TESTIMONIAL
Rangers' final
pre-season game ended in defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic in
a testimonial for Rangers stalwart and goalkeeping coach, Tony
Roberts. Despite the result there were some more encouraging signs
and also the return of Tom(my) Williams.
With Gino nursing a hamstring strain
Williams was in from the off and seemed to pick up where he left
off. It was very nearly a dream start for him as he and Shittu
combined to hit the back of the Charlton net. An in swinging
freekick was glanced on by an Addicks head and Shittu powered in at
the back post to volley home. Unfortunately the flag was up and the
goal was chalked off.
Rangers did take the lead not long
after as Kevin Gallen hit the back of the net with a cracker.
Picking up the ball on the left, he cut across field before sending
a swerving drive low inside Simon Royce's left hand post. A great
finish from a player that really looked in the mood.
By this time Richard Pacquette had
been forced off through injury and was replaced by Furlong. The
first choice front pair immediately clicked and some nice interplay
was on show.
Charlton equalised through Palace
trialist Julian Gray. Bobby Stuart flung over a cross from the
right, which was met with a firm header from Euell. Day made a
stunning one handed save but the ball fell into the path of Gray who
smashed home from a tight angle. I am not sure what happened to the
marking but Forbes had been forced to cover so far across that Gray
was completely free to pick his spot.
In the second half both teams injected
some pace into proceedings and a few more meaningful challenges
started to fly in. This was much to the delight of midfield terrier
Marcus Bean who as usual was tackling anything warm blooded in his
own committed style.
Charlton introduced Jamal
Campbell-Ryce for Stuart and his mere appearance probably has
Williams sweating bullets. He had given him a rare old chasing
whilst on loan at Orient last year and he immediately started
attacking the R's left back. He did well for a while but then seemed
to become preoccupied with trying to fight anybody within a
five-metre radius and lost his way.
Charlton's second came from South
African Shaun Bartlett. He seized on a through ball and shrugged off
Shittu before rounding Day to slot into the empty net. The third
when it came was also courtesy of a Shittu misjudgement.
He misread a long ball over the top
and Jason Euell stole in behind him to send a sumptuous first time
lob over Day to rapturous applause from Addicks and R's alike. It
was a great finish but one that should really have been prevented
before the chance came.
As the game wore on more changes were
made. Kanu, Daly, Oli, Rowlands and Sabin all came on with varying
degrees of success. Kanu didn't seem to have the same impact as
Saturday and launched it long too often. Sabin as usual was full of
running but little end product. Daly, Oli and Rowlands though set
about the game like men possessed.
Oli was causing all sorts of problems
with his pace and trickery and in the middle Daly was spraying the
ball about as he does so often for the reserves. Both of these
players have been guilty in the past of not taking their chances but
both now look as though they are ready to step up to the next level.
Rowlands was just as sharp and immediately won over the R's fans
with his work ethic and close control.
With a couple of minutes left it was
time for Roberts to make his bow. He didn't actually get a touch of
the ball as Dermot Gallagher brought what was quickly becoming a bad
tempered affair to a swift end. It was nice to see Roberts get such
a great ovation and hear Sheep Shagger ringing around the ground.
Even though the result was not what we
had hoped for there were still positives to draw from the game. In
the end though this was Robbo's night and the Rangers, Charlton and
Daggers fans in attendance did him proud.
simon@qprnet.com |
