Blackpool Youth League match of the week: Poulton Town Under-13 v FC Rangers Under-13

FC Rangers Under-13s twice came back from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Poulton Town  at Thornton Cleveleys Sports Centre.
Dylan McKenzie clashes with Kobe MooreDylan McKenzie clashes with Kobe Moore
Dylan McKenzie clashes with Kobe Moore
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A strong and biting wind was against Rangers in the first half of this Blackpool and District Youth League fixture and they were pleased to reach half-time just 1-0 down.

Poulton hit the woodwork twice but had to settle for one goal with the elements in their favour in the first half, midfielder Kobe Moore firing home from outside the box.

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But eight-man Rangers resfused to allow their heads to drop and Jake Stokes raced through to equalise with a left-footed strike.

Poulton’s outstanding Moore relished being captain for the day and set a superb example with a great solo strike to restore his side’s lead, running through from halfway to fire home.

Rangers made it 2-2 when a free-kick rebounded for Dylan McKenzie to fire home.

Rangers boss Whittle said: “The plays who turned up all did really well, so I had to give man of the match to all of them, especially considering we hadn’t played for so long. We are still mid-table and to finish there would be an achievement, though we will have to play quite a few Wednesday games.”

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It was the teams’ third meeting of the season and Poulton are unbeaten in them, Saturday’s point keeping them top.

However, in contrast to Rangers they have played more games than anyone else and manager Steve Malone admits it is likely they will be overhauled.

He said: “Dropping those points could be critical and unless there are some freak results we will probably finish third.”

“ We didn’t capitalise on umpteen chances and I thought we’d hang on at 2-1 but they did really well being a guy down.”

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Even so, it has been a highly satisfying season for Steve’s side as he explained: “We ‘ummed’ and ‘aahed’ over which legue to play in and decided on the Blackpool League because we needed only nine players. We’ve done really well and hopefully will have enough players to move up to an 11-a-side league next season and keep the team going.”

Two-goal Moore was the Poulton man of the match. Poulton are sharing the captaincy this season and the midfielder was inspired by the armband.

As for Rangers, this was a complete team effort by a side who played the whole game a man short, so all Paul Whittle’s players shared the award.