Hall Road Rangers 1-0 Parkgate

Hall Road Rangers earned a third successive clean sheet in a 1-0 victory against Parkgate FC on Saturday at Haworth Park. Rangers had the better chances in the first half as they showed the greater attacking intent. This was shown early on in the 7th minute when Chris Spinks put an effort wide.

Meanwhile, Paul Wray sent a wonderful cross into the Parkgate box which both Rich Medcalf and Sam Robinson attempted to get on the end of. This resulted in an effort which went over the bar. Robinson had a couple of great opportunities to put Hall Road in front but he was denied by great saves from the Parkgate keeper Jordan Greaves. Greaves’ second save was particularly outstanding as he managed to prevent Robinson’s seemingly goal-bound effort from nestling into back of the net.

A similar pattern occurred in the second half as Rangers continued to carve out opportunities. Alex Knaggs put a header over the bar in the 46th minute. Craig Muirhead thought he’d put Hall Road in front in the 58th minute as his drilled effort flew into the back of the net. However, the goal was ruled out by the officials due to handball.

The visitors provided some threat in the 64th minute as they flashed an effort wide. Three minutes later, Rangers took the lead when Alex Knaggs met James McGarry’s set-piece delivery and headed the ball home to get his 5th league goal of the season.

This lead was almost doubled in the 71st minute through an effort from Craig Muirhead which went just wide. Parkgate were reduced to ten men in the 85th minute after Rich Medcalf was hauled down as he was running in on goal.

Hall Road joint boss Leon Sewell was ultimately pleased to pick up another positive result.

“I thought we both pretty much cancelled each other out in the first half. If we’re truthful, I don’t think we really hit the levels that we wanted the players to hit in terms of quality in possession and that intensity in pressing Parkgate.

We grew into the game quite strongly and fair play to their keeper as he made three great saves. How we didn’t go into half-time with a lead is beyond me.

At the break, we asked the players to recognise the position we were in and to ultimately keep our back door shut. I called it to the lads and said it’d be one nil to either side and it’d probably come from a set play.

I’m gutted for Craig Muirhead because I thought it was a bit unruly in how his goal was ruled out. The linesman said it hit his bicep which is the new law by all accounts and still handball.

We then got the set piece I talked about with the delivery from James McGarry and vice-captain Alex Knaggs with the bullet header into the back of the net. The keeper saved a lot in this game, but he wasn’t saving that.

Five league games unbeaten now and three clean sheets on the bounce. I’m really buzzing for the back five.

We’re going in the right direction and we’re keeping our feet well on the ground and pushing forward” Sewell said.

Report by: Oliver Harsley