Round 1 - NCL Cup:

Superb. In what seemed like a well manicured field, "Old Thsitle" as it is fondly known, resembled more of a golf green. Short, well cut, a nice wicket overall. The only down side to the night was the wet conditions that made ball handling a bit uncertain.

Match Report :

After a good performance last Friday night in the premier league, ranger wanted to improve on their form and put in a good challenge for the covetted NCL cup. A prize that has long been outside the grasp of the Rangers, with them team barely able to make the quarter finals each year.

A good starting draw saw the rangers tackle northstar, last years wooden spooners, but with rumors running of Northstars two victories in the premier league, being defeats over grange thisle last week at 5-2, worried looks on how "crap" this team really was. No one had to be reminded in the rangers of their dismal run against grange thistle last season. Coupled to the worries saw the northstar team run onto the park with the fabled "Man U" jersey strips. Fears were eased for the rangers when a numbers count revealed a struggling 11 men for n-star, and a full bench and then some for rangers.

The first half was a dream for the rangers, with top perfomances again had by nick campbell, pete, harry, and a clean bill of health from player/coach russell dux all making good on the park. A missed rob was not noticed in the middle due to the return of Jon who clearly dominated the centre of the park. Good support and attack by ray and anthony saw northstar struggle to put anything together all night.

A welcomed return to the out of touch froggi and other ringins such as Gabriel (Cash) and The Honorary Grange Ranger Legend Paul (Gascoigne) Crilly aka Sargent Major, saw a multi talented side take to the massive park at Prince Street.

I apologise for the next goal descriptions as again being so far back away from the glory I cannot account for the details. However in summary we had, Jon fouled and pulled down in the penalty area, and Davo make sure the goal was earned from his efforts. The decision from coach dux to play the out of form Paulo was rewarded with the Sargent scoring a hat-trick, in front of valued fan Danya (spelt right?).

The second goal was a good through ball followed by even better effort by Paul, who took the ball calmly round the flailing keeper and caressed the ball home. Chances were abundent all night, Mezza missed 5, Dave missed about 4, Chris missed 3…on a day when the forwards are on fire I pity the opposition as this could have easily been 12-nil.

The third goal had more than a hint of controversy. A well drifted in corner was always going to cause problems for the Roosters, and it did with Paul hassling the keeper on the line…a simple forearm tap in resulted in a goal. Not one for the purests of the game but still enjoyable none the less.

By now Grangers were rampant. The team almost seemed not interested as they played the entire second half in Northstars park with the exception of one ore two (and I do mean one or two) weak counter attacks. The fourth and final goal came from a good ball from Dave to Paul who managed to slip the ball passed from a tight angle. It was a much needed performance by Paul to show us how it should have been done.

Northstar rarely threatened and when they did so , a fully fit eroy and pete had things stitched up so far that danger was never near. A good moment for eroy was the punch away cross, although lucky it didn’t end up in his own net.

Worries were on the ref, Gary Wilks, as some felt he let a lot go and injuries may be frequent, but to his credit he reffed marvellously well, with no linesman, kept dangerous play to a minimum and a well enjoyed clean, safe game was had by both teams.

Eroy, Mezza, Dave, jon, andy, jimmy, ray, gabriel, anthony, russell, nick, froggi, harry, pete, chris, Paul

"Paul !! You didn't score that goal !!! " -- Mezza

"Yeah mate, it came off the forearm!!! " -- Paul