Match Reports

25/05/2008 - Atherstone Rangers 3 - 3 Cottage Farm Rangers, Cottage Farm won 7 - 6 on penalties

The Under 16 Rangers, with a depleted squad, put on a tremendous performance today to win the John Schofield Memorial Trophy against Atherstone Rangers today in a game I'm sure John would have really enjoyed. After being 1 - 0 up at half time through a Jack Clements goal and then 2 - 1 up thanks to Eddie Poultney and 3- 2 down, a Jack Clements penalty took the game into a penalty shoot-out. it went to the 9th round of penalties before it was decided 7 - 6 with some excellent penalties. The penalty scorers were: Jack Clements, Eddie Poultney, Luke Turner, Thomas Dobson, Lance Bishop, Kieran Darkes and Rob Booth. a really cracking game with some tremendous football played by both sides. Well done lads, I'm really pleased and very proud, I told you you could do it!! .....Photos

17/02/2008 - Mile Oak Rovers Boys 3 - 1 Cottage Farm Rangers

A good performance against a very good team. With one or two players missing and a couple not feeling 100% this was a day where hard work was essential and we most definitely got it. Every one of the lads worked hard and showed great determination. The pitch was very difficult as it was heavy and very slippery. Some very good defending by Lance Bishop and Lee Thumpston kept Mile Oak out for long periods and with Jack Dodd and Danny Johnson working hard in front of them we looked quite solid. Jack Clements and Phil Barker had very good games up front and further back when necessary. Despite being two goals down at the break, we didn't give up and in the final quarter grabbed a deserved goal when Adam Evans was taken down in the box. His team mates insisted Adam took the kick himself and he duly stepped up and slotted it home. Mile Oak grabbed a third in the last couple of minutes when tiredness prevented the lads getting back into position properly allowing Mile Oak to slot home. A good performance lads, you should be pleased with that. 

10/02/2008 - Cottage Farm Rangers 7 - 0 Baddesley Colts

This was much more like it. The lads got back to playing a good passing game where they supported each other, moved for each other, talked t each other and wanted the ball. We were more determined and wanted it. We were playing the bottom team in the league but the lads have to try to play this way against the top teams, it will be more difficult but that is the challenge. We have to try to play good football and give 100% in every game against any opposition, regardless of their quality, that is how we will improve. What we cannot do is give up if we are struggling or drop our heads if things aren't quite going our way, we have to dig deep, be more determined, work even harder, win our personal battles against our opposite number and then we will start to move forward and we can, we are good enough but we have to believe in ourselves.

27/01/2008 - Cottage Farm Rangers 0 - 7 Measham Welfare

This was the worst performance that I can remember in years mainly due to a lack of effort and concentration and I am totally dismayed by it!!  

13/01/2008 - Amington Juniors 1 - 2 Cottage Farm Rangers

A very good game played in very difficult conditions. With the fierce win in our faces and playing up the slope, the first half was always going to be hard work and primarily one where we had to defend and we did very well indeed. We conceded one goal after Amington broke down our right and produced a good finish but stubborn defence and good goalkeeping kept Amington out. The second half was a different story with the lads producing some good football and creating some openings. Very early on, Jack Clements levelled the score with a well taken goal and shortly after Luke Turner gave us the lead when his shot from just inside the box took a deflection before going into the net. Despite finishing with ten men, the lads again worked hard and were much more disciplined and determined and got their reward.

06/01/2008 - Polesworth Swifts 5 - 2 Cottage Farm Rangers

Despite the result this wasn't a bad performance overall. Our downfall was our failure to defend from set pieces which cost us four of the goals. Other than that Rob Booth in goal was rarely troubled and it was a good end to end game with both team playing some good football at times. The work rate was very good as was the determination. A lesson to be learned!

16/12/2007 - Cottage Farm Rangers 1 - 5 Gillway Boys

A better performance today and the result was not a true reflection on the game. We started very well and were working harder and were more determined. We should have had a stone wall penalty that was denied and another free kick just outside of the box which was also denied, this at 0 - 0. Could the game have been different, I think so. Gillway played well again and worked hard and in the end deserved the victory but we had no luck at all and we also hit the woodwork two or three times. That said, we have to learn to be more disciplined and play as we have been asked to, there are too many people not doing so. Not holding our positions, not getting back, not supporting each other, not talking enough, it all makes a difference and it is something that we have to address before we can move forward.

09/12/2007 - Gillway Boys 5 - 1 Cottage Farm Rangers

A very poor performance in which we were taught a lesson. We were outplayed, out fought and out thought. I am not sure we really believe that we can beat the top teams but we should because we are capable but we have to believe and we have to have the desire. That was lacking today. We gave them too much space and too much respect.

25/11/2007 - Cottage Farm Rangers 3 - 0 Amington Juniors

We got a very good start to this game with an early goal in the first three minutes by Thomas Dobson after a very good move. Again this was a very physical but fair game with both teams working and battling hard. We again looked dangerous on the break with Eddie Poultney and Jack Clements again looking lively. Jack Clements increased the lead as we held the upper hand with a well taken goal. The defence again looked very solid and restricted Amington to long shots with the whole back four of James Hirons, Lance Bishop Thomas West and Lee Thumpston in no mood to make mistakes. The start of the second half saw Amington press more but to no avail and the quick feet of Jack Clements saw him grab his second as he quickly moved the ball to slot home a fine left-footed goal. Thomas Dobson hit the crossbar late on  as we saw the game out. 

11/11/2007 - Amington Juniors 0 - 3 Cottage Farm Rangers

Another very good performance on a cold day at Shuttington, maybe not the most flowing of football but you can't always have that, but there was lots of hard work, some great determination and the last 10 minutes was very good! Starting off up the hill, the lads looked to get the ball wide into the space and then into the lively front men Eddie Poultney and Jack Clements. The link up play was very good and it wasn't long before Eddie Poultney was played through to score the first. The good play continued and ten minutes later the play again started down the left where Dobbo was greatly involved. A fine through ball was played through by Eddie to Phil Barker who slipped the ball past the advancing keeper. Luke turner and Jack Dodd continued to work hard in the centre of midfield to maintain more than our fair share of possession. The start of the second half saw Amington come more into the game as we took our foot off the gas a bit, but the defending was much better than of late and Tommo, Lance, Lee and James pretty much restricted them to long shots. As Wealey came more into the game and Tommo pushed forward from midfield with Danny now tucked in behind him, we picked up the game again and with Kiza joining them they started to play their best football of the game. The third goal came when Luke was played through to wrap the game up.

04/11/2007 - Cottage Farm Rangers 4 - 3 Hurley Kings

Another good and at times battling performance from the lads today and I think the battling might just have been what won the game for us. We got off to a very bright start and put Hurley under pressure from the start but alas no early goal. But we were definitely up for it. After a good start, we went behind after a defensive error but it didn't take too long before we drew level thanks to Eddie Poultney's near post run. Another mistake allowed Hurley to retake the lead before half time but the lads to their credit did not give up and early in the second half, Jack Clements grabbed a deserved equalizer. A push in the penalty area allowed Luke Turner to step up and convert the penalty before a minute later Eddie Poultney scored the fourth. After a goalmouth scramble, Hurley pulled one back, but with Rob Booth in outstanding form and the defence now holding firm we held on for a good win.

28/10/2007 - Stonydelph Boys 0 - 6 Cottage Farm Rangers

A much improved performance today and without a fantastic display by the Stonydelph keeper it would no doubt have been double figures. The defence were much tighter on the opposition not allowing them time to play and the midfield were in control, certainly in the first half although in the second half we lost our discipline and shape somewhat as we got a bit selfish and wanted to score ourselves. Something to learn for the future possibly!! That said we played some very good football again and created an absolute shed load of chances. Lets build on this performance guys!

14/10/2007 - Stretton Eagles Juniors 5 - 2 Cottage Farm Rangers (Birmingham County Minor Cup)

Despite the result this was a very good performance by the lads today against a very good team from Burton-on-Trent, and the result is not a fair reflection of the performance but that is football sometimes. Stretton, who have a 100% record so far this season, quickly showed us why with some very fast breaks and some strong challenges as well. But, not to be outdone, once we settled down we matched them in the challenges and with our attacking play. The whole midfield were magnificent with Luke Turner, Jack Dodd, Thomas Dobson and Kieran Darkes in tremendous form. Jack Clements and Eddie Poultney were again very dangerous whenever they had an opportunity. The defence although having one or two scary moments, in general, dealt well with an excellent attacking team and Rob Booth in goal was again outstanding. Our play was that good that on two occasions, we took the lead through good goals from Thomas Dobson and Eddie Poultney but in the end we made just two or three too many mistakes which cost us. The improvement in the team is there for all to see and there is still more to come, how much better can we become that is the question. Lads, you did the club and the supporters proud today, well done!!

07/10/2007 - Baddesley Colts 0 - 8 Cottage Farm Rangers

A very good, professional performance from the Rangers in this game. The lads quickly asserted themselves on the opposition and this hard work made the game a lot more comfortable than it could have been. Eddie Poultney and Jack Clements and later Phil Barker were always lively up front and Luke Turner and Jack Dodd dominated in the centre of midfield. This supremacy brought goals at regular intervals through Thomas Dobson who scored a hat-trick, Phil Barker with two and singles from Eddie Poultney and Jack Clements and a cracker from James Hirons.

30/09/2007 - Cottage Farm Rangers 0 - 5 Elford Boys

Believe it or not, this was not a bad performance, when you take in missing players and injuries, we did reasonably well. They put us under a fair bit of pressure but we coped reasonably well and had a few attacks of our own. But today was not our day, with no less than 9 substitutions having to be made for injuries and one for illness, all forced upon us. That many changes means the continuity goes as players keep finding different people alongside them and everyone plays slightly differently. The hard work and determination as certainly not lacking but maybe the football wasn't as good as it could have been but how much of that was down to changing personnel. We should, I think, not to be despondent about today's game but learn from it for the future. We need to pass the ball quicker and sharper and not get injured. The two late goals perhaps make the score line rather harsh, we were defeated but not that badly. Unfortunately Matthew Edkins had to come off in the second half and he has fractured his fifth metatarsal so will be missing for 4 to 6 weeks.  

23/09/2007 - Measham Welfare 2 - 1 Cottage Farm Rangers

What a game of football this was for the neutral, for the managers, a bit nerve wracking to say the least. We started off very slowly, the whole defence of the team appeared to be asleep and after 9 minutes we found ourselves a goal down. We then started to find our feet and get more into the game  but unfortunately soon found ourselves 2 goals down. But there is more determination about this team., a greater desire to win and today we really needed it. Eddie Poultney was again looking sharp up front and a tactical switch saw Thomas Weale join him up front injecting more pace, with Jack Clements joining Luke Turner in the centre of midfield to supply the ammunition. This saw us creating chances and we went close several times. The defence were now getting to grips with Measham's lively attack with Lance Bishop doing a very good job at centre half. Our hard work was rewarded before half time when Luke Turner coolly converted a penalty.

The second half was end to end stuff with chances a plenty. Rob Booth pulled off 3 very good saves, we also went close with one goal bound effort bouncing over the bar!! Another bad piece of defending saw Measham extent their lead but from the kick-off a fine 5 or 6 pass move through the centre saw Thomas Weale mark his debut with a well taken goal. We continued to attack and created more chances but at this stage the ball wouldn't go in. A very good move from Measham saw them extend their lead again but if you missed the first one, from the kick off a fine 5 or 6 pass move through the centre saw Thomas Weale mark his debut with a second goal. With time running out  the pressure told and Lance Bishop powered home his header form 3 inches for a well deserved equaliser!!

We have to learn that the game lasts for 80 minutes and we have to be a lot tighter defensively and be decisive. That said, we are playing some very good football indeed and we need to do it a bit more yet in the correct areas of the pitch. The work rate was very good again as as the determination, maybe the fitness is not quite there yet. The ability is certainly there and some of the football is top notch and the decision making will improve. Well done lads, don't be upset with the things that go wrong, we'll work on those but remember what you have done well because that should bring the confidence to carry on playing well and improve further.

 09/09/2007 - Cottage Farm Rangers 3 - 1 Polesworth Swifts

With only one division in the Under 16s this season, the lads are going to have to continue the improvements they showed in the last third of last season and in the first match of the season they did! In fact they produced a very good start to the match and played some very good football indeed. The passing was accurate and quick, the movement off the ball was excellent and they wanted the ball! The midfield took control early on and gave returning Jack Clements and Eddie Poultney very good service. Eddie was looking very dangerous with his pace and running as was Jack Clements with his undoubted skill on the ball.

We got a bit of a lucky break with the first goal, but if you don't put the effort in you don't get the luck. A through ball had too much weight on it but Jack Clements chased it anyway only for the keeper to hit his clearance straight at Jack and it rebounded into the back of the net after about 5 minutes. There was no luck involved with the second goal however after about 20 minutes, as a low cross in from the right saw Jack Clements slide in to push it home. We then seemed to take our foot off the gas a bit or maybe Polesworth worked harder to get back in it but the game then became more even and end to end, great to watch but not so good for the coaches. Chances were created at both ends and some went very close including a spectacular volley from Jack Clements shortly before he went off with a re-occurrence of his hamstring strain. Phil Barker came on to renew his good partnership with Eddie up front . Polesworth however got the chance to pull one back after Rob Booth made a rather rash challenge in the box, which they did from the penalty spot. The second half started with Polesworth working very hard to get an equaliser but the defence of Danny Johnson, Lance Bishop, Lee Thumpston and James Hirons (who came on for Matthew Edkins, hamstring strain, at half time) held firm backed up by Rob Booth in goal who was in superb form again. The midfield of Tom West, Luke Turner, Jack Dodd and Tom Dobson worked tirelessly and slowly got us back into the game, creating some more chances which went close. Eventually, the superb Eddie Poultney got a just reward for his efforts when he got our third with a well taken goal. Despite an injury to Danny Johnson which meant a re-organisation with Tommo going back on at full back after Kieran Darkes replaced him the guys held firm for a good win.

A good performance from every one including all of the substitutes, picking the starting line up is already proving very difficult with the defence looking solid, Luke Turner leading the midfield well with Tommo (then Kiza) and Dobbo providing a good outlet out wide and Doddy clearing up behind them and Eddie,  Jack and Phil upfront looking dangerous. A good start lads, some excellent football, but we need to let the ball do the work and need to play for 80 minutes.