Bulls halt Rangers’ progress

Captain James Quérée was deployed at right-back for the second game running, in the absence of Frank Tobin Picture: JON GUEGAN

FOR a fixture that ended in stalemate, the atmosphere in opposing dressing rooms was starkly different at Springfield on Saturday.

League leaders Abbey Rangers travelled to Jersey with 13 wins from their last 14 in Combined Counties Premier South, but it was the hosts who felt the contest was theirs for the taking, with Rangers in post-match party mode across the tunnel following a 1-1 draw.

Manager Gary Freeman cut a frustrated figure, which was somewhat a microcosm of the rest of the side.

He said: ‘It is definitely an annoyed dressing room right now.

‘We felt like we had the majority of the chances in the match and we couldn’t seem to capitalise. I think we dominated in the second half, but our better chances fell in the opening period.

‘There was a lot to be happy about in that performance, but we are disappointed at how scrappy the contest became after we drew level.

‘We are a side that likes to get the ball down and play through the lines, but there were 20 minutes after the equaliser where our play was far too route one and probably suited them better.’

Much of the Bulls’ creativity ran through the right flank, as man of the match Francis Lekimamati proved a nuisance to the table toppers for the entirety of the affair.

He was also central to point earned, burying a 25-yard free kick into the top-left corner, leaving an otherwise faultless Sam Gray a helpless spectator.

‘Looking back, I certainly feel like we should have won the game,’ he said.

‘There were a couple clear cut chances that we didn’t take and unfortunately in the second half after the goal, we didn’t create huge amounts.

‘They seemed pretty happy with sitting in and absorbing the pressure.

‘But it’s up to us to break them down and make the most in possession and we didn’t really succeed in doing that.

‘A draw doesn’t kill us, but we are treating every single game as a cup final from here on out.

‘We know we have the players that can do it, but we need to show that during every game on the way in.’

While the league remains a priority, their attention shifts to FA Vase action this coming weekend as they host Romford in the fourth round.

Four more victories in the knockout tournament for tier-nine and ten sides will earn a trip to Wembley.

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