Claregate Park Rangers vs AFC Vale
4 - 3
25 February 2018 · Martyn Chell Cup
Home cup match played on 25 February 2018.
Kicked off at 2:00 PM
4-3
vs AFC Vale
Home cup match
Today's home fixture against AFC Vale ended in a hard fought 4-3 win for Claregate.
Things didn't go to plan and a slow start from Claregate saw Vale take the lead on 7 minutes after Claregate failed to clear a freekick.
Claregate pulled level on 15 minutes when Marc "Tommo" Thomas nodded in a Daniel "Burnzy" Burns corner.
On 31 minutes Vale were quick to counter attack down their left and the forward finished 1st time from a cross to go 2-1 up. With the 3-5-2 formation not working as it should, Claregate reverted to 4-4-2 with Rodney "Trotter" Williams filling in at left back and Burnzy moving to right midfield. Half time, 2-1 to Vale.
A tense 2nd half for both teams with no real clear cut chances until the 69th minute when Trotter was brought down in the box after a mazy run. Jon Wilson stepped up for the penalty but saw his effort superbly saved by the Vale keeper only for Tommo to fire home the rebound. 2-2.
Claregate found more confidence and followed up the leveller with a third goal on 76 minutes when skipper Danny Jones delivered a 45 yard pass over the Vale defence for Kyle Matthews to run on to and finish with his typical accuracy. 3-2.
A 4th goal quickly followed on 79 mimutes when Kane Lewis lofted a cross to the far post where Kyle Matthews was waiting to chest down and finish from 14 yards.
A tense finale saw Vale get a penalty of their own on 88 minutes following a Kane Lewis foul. The resulting penalty was converted to bring the scores to 4-3 but Claregate saw out the final few minutes to take all 3 points.
Man of the match today went to Tommo who was a rock at the back but also grabbed himself 2 goals.
Subs used were Mark Trow, back for his 2nd spell at the club, Mitch Kerry and Josh Hodson.
As always thanks to our sponsors:
Jacks Cafe & Bar
Jones Road Working Mens Club.
Brierley Hill Crystal
www.alpshomes.co.uk
Sally's 1st Stop