31st October 2020 Alderney Nomads v Rangers FAC
Kindly sponsored by Ros Whittome
Match report – Priaulx league & Baker Cup
Alderney Nomads 3 Rangers FAC 4
Rangers retained the Baker Cup at a blustery Mount Hale on Saturday, coming from behind to beat Alderney 4-3. Until an hour or so before kick-off there was doubt that the game would go ahead with Rangers waiting for their delayed flight from Guernsey to take off. In the end the elements relented sufficiently and the match started around forty minutes late. The wind definitely affected proceedings, but there was no denying the fact that Rangers were the better side and fully deserved their first Priaulx win of the season. Alderney has become a happy hunting ground for Rangers as they registered their only League win last season there too.
Alderney took an early lead in the seventh minute when an in-swinging corner from Coach Josh Concanen was bundled off the line and the ball fell to Owen Carre who rifled it into the net. 1-0 Alderney The advantage lasted only five minutes as a Shane Billion header from a Rangers free kick looped over Alderney keeper James Taylor for an equaliser. 1-1 The game swung back in Alderney’s favour on seventeen minutes when a handball in the Rangers penalty area resulted in a spot kick that Alderney skipper Ross Benfield netted sending Rangers goalkeeper the wrong way. 2-1 Alderney. The game remained lively after that with both sides forcing corners but no clear-cut chances.
Alderney were forced to make a substitution a few minutes before half time when Ross Benfield had to come off with a hamstring injury. Buster Macfarlane took his place. Then just as the interval loomed Dante Walker scored Alderney’s third with a long shot from outside the box.
Half Time Alderney 3 Rangers FAC 1
Half-time talk among spectators focused on whether a two-goal cushion would be enough for Alderney as the wind remained strong and favoured Rangers in the second half. The answer soon became apparent. An early chance for Billion was spurned, as Rangers quickly took control. Their midfield dominated, led by the impressive Owen Setters with Stefan Timms on the left flank providing a constant threat. It was Timms who brought Rangers back into the game with a near post header following a long throw. 3-2 Alderney
Shortly after Owen Carre cleared off Alderney’s line following a corner but there was no denying Rangers and they equalised at the midpoint of the second half when a James Taylor punch cannoned off Josh Concanen for an own goal. 3-3. Alderney made a couple of substitutions: Michael Rowley for Matt Aldcroft and Liam Connor for Owen Carre but the tide had turned in Rangers favour. The winner came seven minutes from the end; a second for Shane Billion, who shrugged off a challenge from Andy Adamson before slotting the ball past James Taylor. Rangers ahead for the first time 4-3 and that is the way it finished despite a late flurry from Alderney, and what looked a certain penalty claim turned down, as Dante Walker had his ankle clipped, much to the frustration of the players and supporters.
Both teams did well to battle the elements but in the end Rangers were justly rewarded for their endeavors on a day when they overcame both the weather and the Nomads.
Attendance 61 plus one dog
Team: JT, Andy Adamson, Josh Concanen, Steve Concanen, Lee McCormack, Matt Aldcroft, Dante Walker, Ross Benfield (c), Jermaine Parry, Josh McCulloch, Owen Carre, Subs: Jack Williams, Liam Connor, Dean Carre, Buster McFarlane
Alderney’s Man of the Match Owen Carre, player sponsor The Old Barn
Alderney’s next home game will be on November 14th v St Martins kick off 13.00 sponsored by Linda & Leslie Aldis
