Rangers in play-offs

Press, 26 July 1984, Page 6

Rangers in play-offs

Rangers ensured themselves of a place in the Hertz Soccer League play-off series, and gave Nomads United a giant helping hand to join them, when they drew, 1-1, with Cashmere-Wanderers at a foggy English Park last evenfiomads now needs just a draw against Woolston W.M.C. on Saturday to shut Cashmere, the third contender for the two avilable places, out of the running. It was an absorbing, often exciting match, with both teams producing some slick, enterprising soccer. Cashmere’s attacking thrusts, particularly in the first half, came largely from Steve Welford and Neil Lilley. The Rangers defence, in which lan Cowan stood out, generally held firm, except for the opening 15 minutes of the second half, during which Cashmere equalised and almost went ahead. Rangers’ attack, with Eric Reiser particularly impressive cut several clear openings but the Cashmere goal-keeper, Kevin Nicholls, had an outstanding match, making several top-class saves. He even saved Paul Welford’s penalty, midway through tt& first half after Reiser had been brought down. However,

the referee, Arthur Edwards, ruled that it be re-taken, and Welford made no mistake. The penalty came after Kurt Jacques had missed a glorious opportunity at the other end to put Cashmere ahead. Two minutes into the second half, Jacques raced clear and set up Steve Welford for an easy equalising goal. Cashmere applied strong pressure, but the turning point came when its key midfield attacker, Drew Hendrie, was carried off with a leg injury. Much of Cashmere’s direction and impetus was lost Geoff Blackburn was guilty of popping the ball over the Cashmere bar from right underneath it which would have wrapped up the win for Rangers. Cashmere battled on grimly, and in the final minute could even have won it when Mark Lewis’s fine glancing header just flew over the Rangers cross-bar. Two Rangers players, Scott Dewar and Reiser, were booked for foul tackles. In the curtain-raiser, New Brighton began its English Cup' programme with an emphatic 4-0 win over a weakened Nomads team. Brian McTague scored twice, Greg Clark and Car£ ! Bout once, all inl the second half, for Brighton.