Abbey Hey 5-2 Hall Road Rangers

Hall Road Rangers are out of the FA Vase after losing 5-2 in their Second Qualifying Round tie at Abbey Hey FC on Saturday. The first 20 minutes of the first half were dominated by Rangers as they had a hold on the game. Conner Harman put Hall Road in front in the 8th minute with a sensational lob from 35 yards out which looped over Abbey Hey keeper Ross Heywood.

Chris Spinks doubled Hall Road’s lead in the 19th minute when he converted a penalty after Sam Robinson was fouled by Ross Heywood.

Abbey Hey produced an almost instant response as they pulled a goal back in the 23rd minute courtesy of a header from Aaron Fleming as he met a Jordan Lazenbury cross into the Rangers box. The hosts equalised in the 42nd minute when Joe Nield got himself on the scoresheet.

The momentum continued to be with Abbey Hey as they took the lead themselves just before the break. Dylan Fitzgerald got on the end of a Joe Nield cross and poked the ball home.

The second half began where the first half left off as the hosts threatened to extend their lead. Rhys Clooney and Kyle McGonigle both fired efforts over the bar whilst Aaron Fleming had a header saved by Rangers keeper Haydn Withill.

Hall Road’s afternoon got worse in the 78th minute as Ben Halfacre got Abbey Hey’s fourth goal of the game with a drilled free-kick which found the back of the net. James Whittingham was sent off in the aftermath of the goal which led to Rangers having to navigate the rest of the game with ten men.

It became 5-2 in the 87th minute as Rhys Webb ensured that Abbey Hey would progress into the next round of the competition.

Rangers joint-manager Leon Sewell was less than impressed with some of the decisions that were made by the match officials.

“This game was a bit like the Rossington one a few weeks ago. For the first 25-30 minutes, we were well in it. We actually went 0-2 up and then a bit of pressure took its toll.

Some really strange officiating for the last 15-20 minutes of the first half ultimately killed us. We were on top for the first 25 minutes of the second half. We didn’t really threaten their goal if we’re truthful about it. They got on top of us basically. Again, some more dubious officiating which left everyone in the ground totally astounded is not acceptable.

A lot of decisions went in favour of the home team which naturally and normally happens when you travel away and you get a reasonably local official. That’s no disrespect to Abbey Hey because they did have some good quality in their team” Sewell said.

Report by: Oliver Harsley