| Match Report |
Ripley Rangers 3-4 Mansfield Athletic 8/12/13
Ripley lost narrowly bringing their recent good run to an end.
Ripley started the brighter and had some good early possession but were unable to create
any clear cut chances.
Mansfield gained the initiative towards the end of the first half and had a goal ruled out,
In a tight first half devoid of many chances. Thomas Rankin kept goal superbly showing
excellent handling throughout, Seb Askew also had a solid first half.
The second half was much more open with Mansfield taking an early lead. Rankin who
came out of goal for the second half levelled for Ripley with an excellent free kick drilled
low and across the keeper.
Rankin was then injured and had to be replaced in what appeared to be a late tackle. The
referee controversially awarded Mansfield a free kick and they scored with an unstoppable
shot.
The influential Rankin was missed and things didn't break for the busy Ciaran Gillespie as
he found it difficult to penetrate a well organised Mansfield side.
Mansfield hit the bar with another free kick as they began to exert some pressure.
Eventually Mansfield scored a third leaving Ripley with a mountain to climb.
In a fragmented game both sides struggled to find any rhythm as a fussy referee
continually broke play up.
Ripley showed good character to get back in to the game. Zak Annable won a free kick on
the edge of the Mansfield area which he drilled in for his first goal for the club. Annable
whom has predominantly been used as a goal keeper this season was particularly
impressive.
Only minutes later Aeron Broadhurst broke down the left flank showing lots of pace before
calmly dispatching into the bottom right corner passed the advancing keeper to make it
3-3.
At this stage there appeared to be only one winner but Ripley were dealt a cruel blow
when the referee pointed to the spot late on after Zak Annable handled inside his own box.
Second half keeper Jack Langley was unable to prevent Mansfield from scoring to take the
spoils 4-3.
Man of the Match was Aeron Broadhurst |