Eden Valley Messenger

PENRITH RANGERS MATCH REPORT

PENRITH RANGERS 1,
SHAP 3

FOR the third season on the trot, Rangers were beaten at home to Shap after recording a victory in the away fixture, reports Kevin Clark

Shap started much the brighter and dominated the opening period. They deservedly took the lead on 12 minutes as Clark lost possession out wide and Bentley made his way down the flank before sending over a pinpoint cross which was headed home by Lee Stockdale.

Rangers eventually settled and after a mazy run Woodhall’s inch perfect cross found Ivinson but from just six yards and with the goal at his mercy he somehow headed wide.

The home side began to win more possession but could not make any headway against a strong Shap defence.

In the second period Rangers dominated but continued to run into the strong Shap back line and ran out of ideas.

Against the run of play, Shap made it 2-0 as Rangers man of the match Dale Finn-Caile was caught in possession outside his own penalty area and Bentley ran through to score at the second attempt.

Disappointingly, Rangers heads then started to drop and, when the referee controversially awarded Shap a free kick on 72 minutes, Barry Stockdale headed home superbly.

Rangers then threw everything at their visitors and created a number of chances but their finishing let them down badly. Lynch did score a consolation in the dying minutes.

This was Rangers’ first defeat of the season and the most disappointing aspect was not that they were beaten by the better side but that they were outthought and outbattled. They must get back their work ethic if they are to carry on and have a successful season.