Well a lesson in how to prepare for a game followed by the work you do on the pitch.

Lee Rangers appeared nonchalant for their game against top of the league Headley after their previous 1-1 draw earlier in the season.

However a well drilled and fit Headley fought for and won first and second ball almost every occasion. Connor and Craig appeared to be the only players for Lee that put a shift in. It was hard and a lot of chasing shadows was occuring.

Headley were 3 - 0 up after a couple of mistakes and some fine finishing by half-time.

Players visibily requested to be substituted, which was a sad sight to see. It is the first time in a number of years that we have had a lesson in football but today was it.

On a positive note the lads did not give up and kept going until the end. However we need to be on our mettle this weekend against our derby opposition of Dynamoes.

Thanks for the support this week as the 75 mile round trip hurt with a result like that.

A trip to Farlington pitched the Lee side against Eastney, who turned up with 9 players. Lee started with Jordan in goal and Jack, Tom G (Capt), Matt and Thomas in the back four. Midfield Connor and Tristan in the middle with Luke and Harley bringing up the flanks. Up front Glenn and Dan started. This left Mitch, Aiden and H on the bench. It was my intention to swap players every 10 minutes to try and give every one a fair whack. Eastney surprised the team, having watched them a few weeks ago. Defensively they were outstanding and the keeper and central defenders gave the Lee front line a torrid time.

However the pressure on the 9 men eventually gave and Lee scored 3 in quick succession and came in at half-time 5 - 0 up. The second half started and some great runs from the full backs helped the team settle and with 2 minutes to go it was 9 - 0. Scorers today were Jordan, Tom, Harley, Dan and Aiden 1 apiece with Glenn and scoring a brace each.

Well done but my hats off to Eastney who were truly outstanding with only 9 men.

Another tough game was foreseen with the team from Hayling coming over to Gosport to play at the Polo fields. Amy Robinson officiated a match that had a few undertones from both sides. Lee Rangers took the lead with a goal from Dan Lee and that set the game up well. In goal Jordan was outstanding defended by Jack Tom Matt and Tristan. Midfield 5 were marshalled by 3 in the middle of Harley H and Connor with Luke and Mitch with Dan leading the attack.

Shortly after his first, Dan scored a second to put the Lee side 2 - 0 up. It was end to end stuff until a great run by the Hayling centre half was penalised and he smashed the resulting free-kick into the goal.

60 minutes gone and a coming together resulted in both teams losing a player. The referee abandoned the game as it appeared that it would result in more bookings.

Hopefully both teams will learn from this and it will not happen again.

Well done to the referee who handled the situation superbly.

After the December break, the Blues returned to action against FOSPS on a bright but frosty morning. After a slight delay to allow the frost to melt, the team took to a pitch with a soft muddy middle and long grass near the corner flags.

The Lee squad was Jadour, Adam, Joe, Josh, Josh H, Cameron, Ronnie, Keiron, Charlie and making his debut, Taylor.

With Joe in goal, Rangers were on the attack from the start. Firstly there was a good attempt by Jadour, and then Josh shot wide.

However, FOSPS then went on the attack, Josh H covered a lot of ground to thwart an attack, but then FOSPS scored 2 quick goals.

This setback seemed to galvanise the team into action. Ronnie crossed the ball in from the left wing to Josh, who then slipped the ball to Jadour who planted his shot into the net. 2-1.
The same move was, repeated seconds later, but this time Josh's shot from Ronnie's cross went just wide.Then Adam won the ball on the left, fed it to Josh who crossed for Ronnie to slot home his shot. 2-2.

Then on the stroke of half time FOSPS scored again, so 3-2 at the break.

A reshuffle for the second half, saw Adam in goal, Joe up front, and Keiron and Charlie on.

The blues moved into the attack again, and after a goalmouth scramble, Charlie knocked the ball into the net to score his first ever goal. 3-3.

Josh then came back on, and beats 3 defenders and scores 3-4, but this is then countered by FOSPS who breakaway and score, beating Adam on his left post.4-4

The team was working very hard in all areas, Cameron and Josh in defence, Taylor and Keiron in midfield, all trying to block the FOSPS moves. This pays off when Jadour cuts in from the right, and scores with a good shot. 4-5. Then in a repeat, Josh does the same, 4-6.

However, FOSPS were not taking it lying down, an attack with only Adam left to beat, sees the shot go wide. Then at the other end, Josh got a bad bobble just he was about to shoot, resulting in a spectacular air shot! Finally in the last minute, Keiron passed to Jadour, who then fed Josh to score.

So the game ended up 7-4, with Rangers coming from behind twice to win, showing great character.


Everyone in the team played well, but man of the match was Charlie, not just for his goal, but his constant effort in running and blocking the FOSPS attacks.


Reporter


Paul Reeve

Lee Rangers in desperate need of a win to end the year entertained Portsmouth Wanderers. The ground was hard but slick enabling good fast flowing football. The crowd were not disappointed and within 30 seconds a fine move was finished off with a great strike from H.

The team lined up with Jordan in goal with from Left to right Jack Tom, Matt and Tristan, they were defended in midfield by Connor, H, Luke and Mitch and up front Harley and Dan lead the line. Glenn warmed the bench after having yet another injury scare this week.

Well after H scored it was all Pompey and the Lee Rangers were lucky not to give away a penalty. However we came in still 1 - 0 up and a stern talking to was needed to concentrate the team again.

Second half started and although Pompey were winning first ball, second ball kept being won by Lee and within a minute of the turnaround Harley tucked away his chance to make it 2 - 0. Harley then went down injured and Glenn came on up front, with clear instructions to stop the defence from playing.

Jack and Mitch tormented along the left hand side and some fine switch play gave the Pompey team pause for thought.

Luke was then exchanged for Harley again and then after a little altercation Dan came off as Lee went to 5 across the midfield to consolidate the win.

The final whistle went and the players go off for a well deserved break. Jack claimed MOM with a fine performance as we go into 2012.

If we can get some wins under are belt in January we could easily climb the table and put pressure on those above us.

Well done each player and have a Happy Christmas and even better New Year.

Thanks to all parents for their support and help today and in particualr Martin who ran the line and Liz for the best cup of tea for miles around.