Cottage Farm Rangers Under 11's

  The Rangers train on Tuesdays at Belgrave High School starting at 6.00pm in summer months, and at 5.00pm on Tuesdays at Queen Elizabeth Mercian School in winter months.

Reports: 

12/04/2003 - What a way to clinch the title! The Rangers started this game really well with some flowing football. The passing was quick and good, and the Rangers quickly found themselves in front with a superb goal through Mark Tidmus. This was quickly followed by another quality goal when the ball was fed out to Will Holyland who sent a superb cross into the path of Eddie Poultney to volley home. Jack Clements then added a third after getting through on the left, and slotting home from a very acute angle. Three up in 15 minutes and cruising. Before half time, centre back Ben Chetwynd went up for a corner and coolly slotted home home for the fourth. In the second half, Stonydelph Boys, to their credit, worked really hard to get back into the game. The Rangers defence, however held firm to deny them. Jack Clements got his second of the game, and fortieth of the season, and Phil Barker chipped in with his second in two games to seal the game before Stonydelph got the goal they deserved.  Well done to all the players for a fantastic season, for all their hard work and commitment, and a big thank you to the parents and families for their help and support. It's been fantastic. Sounds good doesn't it, Cottage Farm Rangers, Under 11's Division Two Champions 2002/2003.                                              Man of the Match: Lee Thumpston

09/04/2003 - Higham made the long journey over for this clash with only 9 players and unfortunately it was a tough evening for them. The play was more or less one way, and after having a goal disallowed in 15 seconds, the Rangers got a legitimate one inside a minute. It wasn't good football as Higham struggled to get out of their penalty area, but credit to them they didn't give up. The Rangers scored at regular intervals with the final score being 14 - 0, the goalscorers were Lee Thumpston 4, Jack Clements 3, Eddie Poultney 2, Danny Gutteridge 2, Will Holyland, Mar Tidmus and Phil Barker one each.           Man of the Match: Lee Thumpston

05/04/2003 - In this top of the table clash, there was never going to be much between the sides, and so it proved. The Rangers settled quickly into their game and put some good moves together with the midfield looking particularly sharp. They never quite managed to break down the Baddesley defence as they held firm. Baddesley also had their moments, but any chances they had were quickly snuffed out by the defence or James Barber in goal. The second half saw Baddesley come more into the game, as the Rangers midfield struggled and stood off the Baddesley players. It was still an even contestand eventually the deadlock was broken by a superb 25 yard free kick by Will Holyland. The end to end football continued and Baddesley got the equalizer after James Barber blocked a shot, and the ball ran free to a Baddesley forward running in unmarked to equalize.       Man of the Match: Ben Chetwynd. 

29/03/2003 - Against a very determined Hurley team, the Rangers took control from the kick off, and although not at their best, they were still the dominant team. The Hurley goalkeeper did particularly well and pulled off a string of fine saves. As hard as the Rangers pressed, Hurley managed to keep them out throughout the first half. The Rangers were guilty of holding on to the ball too long, preventing themselves from playing the free flowing football they are capable of. That said, the defence were solid when they needed to be, going forward, the lads put some good moves together at times, but they did make it hard for themselves. Two good goals from Kieran Darkes and Jack Clements thirty-fifth of the season saw them home.                     Man of the Match: Lee Thumpston. 

22/03/2003 - The Rangers started off very well against a vastly improved Stonydelph team. The lads started very brightly and passed the ball around well and looking very threatening. The first goal came after about 15 minutes after a good move put Will Holyland through and he didn't miss. Very soon afterwards, another good move saw Mark Tidmus, who was having his best game yet for us, increase the lead. The Rangers continued to push well in the remainder of the first half and created more chances but couldn't quite get the third. In the second half, Stonydelph came more into the game, and the game became more end to end. The Rangers continued to create chances but Stonydelph got back into the game after a mistake let them in. Rangers fought back and a free kick just about the penalty area was duly put away high into the Stonydelph net by Will Holyland for his 29th of the season. Stonydelph however would not lie down, and a free kick wide on the left was poorly defended which allowed Stonydelph to score again after a scramble. On the balance of play, a deserved but hard fought win. Player of the Match: Luke Turner. 

15/03/2003 - Another good first half performance where they quickly got into their stride and dominated the early exchanges. The midfield of Will Holyland, Kieran Darkes, Lee Thumpston and Eddie Poultney were constantly probing at the Coton Green defence and it wasn't long before Jack Clements opened his account after some slick football. Jack and his striking partner Mark Tidmus were a constant threat and the Rangers added to their tally before half time with Jack Clements again and Will Holyland scoring two to give the Rangers a 4 - 0 half time lead. The second half wasn't quite as good as Coton Green pushed forward but the defence did well, in particular Ben Chetwynd and Josh Badger, and when they did break through, James Barber in goal was in fine form. Danny Gutteridge scored Rangers fifth with an overhead kick to give the Rangers a comfortable win.     Man of the Match: Ben Chetwynd.  

01/03/2003 - A very good first half performance from the Rangers, where they started off very well indeed. After 12 minutes the lads were 4 - 0 up with two goals each from Will Holyland and Eddie Poultney. The Rangers continued to play almost permanently in the opposition half with the whole team looking in good form. Will Holyland completed his hat-trick in the first half and Mark Tidmus notched another. In the second half, Drayton Manor to their credit upped their game and competed much better, and made it more difficult for the Rangers. The Rangers passing game was not quite as good either, but there were several near misses as Will Holyland, Jack Clements and Kieran Darkes all went agonizingly close. Will however managed to get his fourth of the game to take his total for the season to 25. The Rangers defence held firm as Drayton Manor pushed forward to make it a good all round performance by the team. Man of the Match: Kieran Darkes.

08/02/2003 - This was the Rangers back to what they do best - playing good passing football. On a three-quarter sized pitch, it was important the the lads used the full width of the pitch and passed the ball around, and this they did very well indeed. Right from the first kick-off they passed the ball, supported each other and played at a high tempo and within 15 minutes were 3 - 0 up. They kept up the good play throughout the 60 minutes, and the score could have been a lot more than the 9 - 0 but for some missed chances. Another hat-trick from Jack Clements and 2 more for Will Holyland, plus firsts for Mark Tidmus and defender Ben Chetwynd, and singles from Phil Barker and Daniel Gutteridge  made up the scorers.               Man of the Match: Eddie Poultney. 

25/01/2003 - A much better performance from the Rangers today in this top of the table clash. Overseal started well as the Rangers settled into the game and went in front after about 10 minutes with a 25 yarder that flew into the top corner. Rangers then came into the game and had a superb spell of quality passing football for the rest of the first half. Jack Clements scored a deserved equalizer and the Rangers really should have gone in front with the number of good chances they created but it wasn't to be. Another source of good chances were Kieran Darkes' corners which were top drawer, we really should have made more of these. The second half was end to end stuff with both teams going for the win. Rangers again created a number of chances but today they wouldn't go in. Whether the lads were tiring or whether they weren't quite giving 100%, who knows, but a little more effort might just have made the difference. But the lads are getting back to their best.         Man of the Match:  Joshua Badger.

18/01/2003 - A horror show by the Rangers today, the defending was poor, the passing was too slow and the support not good enough. All a result of a lack of concentration. Four of the goals conceded were really given away and one a result of poor sportsmanship. That said the Rangers still had enough chances too have won the game, but that would have been an injustice, and not deserved. Hopefully the Rangers will learn from this defeat.   Man of the Match: Eddie Poultney

21/12/2002 - After a first half where the Rangers were too often second to the ball, the lads came out all guns blazing to take the game to the St Nicolas Boys team. Unfortunately, the Rangers were 0 - 1 down at half time after failing to close down a half clearance in their own penalty box. But in the second half, the lads competed much better and really took the game to them. They created two very good chances, one of which hit the crossbar, and the other was cleared away with the keeper beaten. The Rangers did get back on level terms following a great Jack Gaunt free kick which was diverted in by Will Holyland, a well deserved goal. In an end to end contest both teams continued to strive for a goal, and it came against the run of play for St Nicolas Boys. In the final couple of minutes, St Nicolas scored a third as Rangers pushed forward in search of an equalizer. The match was closer than the scoreline suggests, as in my opinion Rangers played the better football, but St Nicolas edged it on their determination.      Man of the Match: William Holyland.  

14/12/2002 - A solid performance  from the Rangers after last week's reversal. Against a packed defence, they took a while to break down Snarestone, thanks in no small part to the goalkeeper who was excellent. However, once the Rangers got their football going, thee was only ever going to one result. The outstanding Jack Clements started the scoring with a penalty and went on to add seven more to his season's tally. Will Holyland helped himself to another hat-trick taking his tally this season to 17. Eddie Poultney also got on the scoresheet with a fine header. A much improved performance from last week, but still more work to do.    Man of the Match: Jack Clements.

07/12/2002 - A poor performance from the Rangers in which they seemed to forget all of the good things they have done in previous weeks. After a slow first 10 minutes, when the Rangers didn't really get going, and went 1 - 0 down, they suddenly clicked into gear and started putting some good passing moves together. They were rewarded when Jack Clements scored his 20^th goal of the season to put them level. However another piece of poor defending allowed Hockley to regain the lead. Rangers continued to put some good moves together for the rest of the half but to no avail. The second half was poor however, the Rangers normal passing game disappeared and they tried to run through a packed midfield. The defending was not good, with people being caught out of position, poor clearances and I don't think everyone worked hard enough. Credit to Will Holyland, Ben Chetwynd and Jack Clements who never gave up, and put in creditable performances on a day to forget.                      Man of the Match: Will Holyland.

30/11/2002 - A very sticky start to this, their first game for 4 weeks. The normal good passing, and confidence were missing as the Rangers struggled to get their game together. Only some good defending from Ben Chetwynd and Jack Dodd kept Drayton Manor at bay. However, gradually the Rangers began to get their game together and string some passes together and were unlucky to have a Will Holyland goal disallowed. Although the second half began shakily, the Rangers quickly got their game together and started to dominate and the goals then came. Two more from Jack Clements and two from Will Holyland, including a superb header, gave Rangers the points. All of the players got back in the groove and performed much better in the second half.                Man of the Match: Jack Clements.

02/11/2002 - Another good performance and another clean sheet, what more could we ask for. Three early goals and then a penalty to give Jack Clements his hat-trick inside 10 minutes, meant there was only ever going to be one result. At times the Rangers lost their shape a little bit, but generally the lads kept trying to play their football. There were some very good goals scored, not least Jack Clements superb overhead kick. The scorers were Jack Clements with 6, Will Holyland with 4, Jack Gaunt 3, Eddie Poultney 2, and singles from Phil Barker and Danny Gutteridge.    Man of the Match: Jack Clements. 

26/10/2002 - A good performance from the Rangers where they proved too strong for the visitors. An early lead,  courtesy of Jack Clements was followed by hitting the woodwork 4 times, I thought the goals weren't going to come, but they did. The Netherseale keeper also had a very good game, and pulled off many tremendous saves. But the pressure and good football told, and 2 further goals from Jack Clements, 3 from Will Holyland, and one each from Kieran Darkes and Eddie Poultney saw the Rangers home to a comfortable victory in the end.       Man of the Match: Will Holyland & Eddie Poultney.

19/10/2002 - They have done it again, come back from being a goal down to win, although this time they were unlucky to go behind after having the majority of the play. This was probably the best all round performance so far, as the defence, with Joshua Badger and Ben Chetwynd prominent and James Barber solid when called upon in goal, did well whenever Overseal threatened, and some of the football going forward was very good indeed, and we were missing 3 players!  Even the Overseal manager commented that we have got a good team, after the game. The Rangers always looked dangerous whether they attacked down the right or left, with some tremendous one and two touch football. Jack Clements and Will Holyland sent a continuous stream of telling balls through the Overseal defence to keep the pressure on. A superb volley on the turn from Daniel Gutteridge and 2 more goals from Will Holyland secured a place in the Second Round of the Invitation Cup.                       Man of the Match: Ben Chetwynd.

12/10/2002 - The comeback kings strike again. Yet again the Rangers came back from a goal down to secure the 3 points. A much improved defensive display was the highlight of this game for the Rangers. Apart from one lapse this was a very good defensive performance from James Barber in goal, all of the back four and the midfield as well. Hurley put up a very determined display, which made this a very good game of football, but the Rangers were not to be denied and put in a very solid performance. Goals from Kieran Darkes and two from Jack Clements saw them home, and I still feel they are not yet at their best.      Man of the Match: Jack Clements.

05/10/2002 - In the end, a fairly comfortable win, but Stonydelph made us work very hard to get it. Rangers put some very good moves together throughout the game, but their tendency to lose a bit of shape and concentration meant we conceded silly goals. This should not detract from the standard of football that they can put together, with goals flowing not only from any of the forwards that are playing but also from any of the midfielders. Five different scorers today proves the point.   Man of the Match: Phil Barker.

28/09/2002 - This team are becoming the comeback kings, again they came back to win. Rangers started slowly even though occasionally they put one or two good moves together. Some sloppy defending gifted Overseal a two goal lead, but this team does not give up. They battled back, and after the break eventually secured the win. The Overseal keeper, who had a very good game, looked at one time as if he was going to keep Rangers out, but in the second half as they upped the tempo, the reward came. Some excellent passing moves created chances for Will Holyland, a terrific header by Eddie Poultney and a brave winner by Jack Clements which gave Rangers the points in a very good game of football.         Man of the Match: William Holyland.

21/09/2002 - This was a tremendous performance from start to finish against a good team. Previously unbeaten Dosthill Colts, who hadn't conceded a goal, were quickly on the back foot as Daniel Gutteridge scored in the first minute following a fine flowing move. Rangers continued to put some great passing moves together throughout the first half with Dosthill too showing they could play in an end to end half. Dosthill levelled the score just before half time when the Rangers defence made their only mistake of the game. Rangers started the second half slowly and Dosthill made them pay when a fine save from James Barber rebounded off a defender into the net. But Rangers were not to be denied and upped the tempo to pour forward and put Dosthill under severe pressure. Three tremendous goals from Kieran Darkes, each following great football and another by Eddie Poultney saw them home, in what was probably one of their best ever performances. Let's make sure we go out and do it again lads.    Player of the Match: Kieran Darkes.

14/09/2002 -  Another win, but a hard fought one. In the first half, The Rangers put together some good moves, but they were generally not up to their normal standards. Too often, passes went astray or we weren't quick enough. However, the Rangers still had more of the play and the Baddesley keeper was the busier of the two, in fact he pulled off some very good saves. A first half penalty was converted by Jack Clements, but some sloppy defending allowed Baddesley back into the game. The second half turned into a bit of a battle as there wasn't a great deal of good football played, but the Rangers workrate saw them through as Will Holyland and Jack Clements again saw them home.                                                                       Player of the Match: Lee Thumpston.

07/09/2002 - A very good first half performance set the Rangers up for the first win of the season. Eddie Poultney ran riot down the left with the midfield and forwards putting him away time after time. Lots of chances went begging and the Coton Green keeper also had a fabulous game. The midfield were well in command and supplied a constant stream of possession. Eventually the pressure told and goals from Eddie Poultney, Jack Clements and Will Holyland saw Rangers well in command at the break. The second half started with Luke Turner scoring with his first touch, but then Rangers switched off and allowed Coton Green back into the game. The defence then had some work to do, and generally they held together well. When they were breached, James Barber, in goal was in fine form as well, and kept the home team out. Coton Green did pull one goal with a very good free-kick from the edge of the box. However, Rangers got a second wind and stepped up the pace a bit, to get a fifth thanks to Jack Clements. A promising start to the season.                                                                                                                      Player of the Match: Eddie Poultney