Highfield Rangers 5 vs Sileby Saints 1

Manager Tony Hemmings could not have been more pleased with his team of youngsters’ performance against Sileby Saints in their first Senior League encounter for several weeks. With a number of regulars missing, Hemmings took the opportunity to blood his up and coming youngsters in a tough fixture against a more experienced Sileby side. Well marshalled in defence by skipper Neil Ackers the young players took their opportunity well with some enterprising play. After settling into their stride it was Rangers who looked like scoring first with both Farrid Yusuf and Axel Simmons coming close. Sileby too had their chances only to be thwarted by some excellent defensive work by the home side. In the 34th minute after a mixed up in the Saints defence Rangers were awarded a penalty which was duly converted by Farrid. The goal seemed to inspire growing confidence amongst the young Rangers side and in the 41st minute Simmonds notched a second for the home side.

The second half continued as the first half ended with ever increasing confidence amongst the Rangers babes with Thompson featuring well and causing all sorts of problems for the Saints defence and it was no surprise when Rangers went further ahead with two goals in quick succession though Lewis Thompson and a second goal from Yusuf. It was delightful to watch such an all-round team performance where every player stepped up to the match on the back of disappointing pre Christmas period. Although the visitors pulled a goal back through a defensive error, Rangers were not to be denied a well deserved victory when Lewis Thompson scored his second in the 84th minute.

The match was well managed by the match officials who allowed the game to flow. Its is also a credit to the new found discipline within the Rangers squad that has seen the fewest yellow cards issued to players of any season: a result of Hemmings and Assistant Coach Karl Payne’s approach in the way they want to see the game being played at Rangers.