In what was the team's greatest performance in the last four seasons (and this includes the 8-0 drubbing of a nine man Code Blue squad in Spring '06), the Rangers destroyed FC Banfield at Delta Park #5 and earned goalkeeper Steve Berg his first clean sheet for the year. Bolstered by new players Doug Greenberg, Bullie Sibanda, and Malvern Ntini, 'Gers fielded a full squad of sixteen players and ran riot over the home team from the tenth minute on. Or, in the immortal words of '80s supergroup Def Leppard (from the single "Run Riot" off their acclaimed 1987 multi-platinum hit album "Hysteria"):
Get up! Break out!
Don't be the odd one out
C'mon, it's alright we're hot tonight
You better run
(Run)(Run riot)
Banfield looked threatening early on when a long ball run left Steve Berg one on one with an attacking striker, but he was able to slide in and snuff the ball off the forward's feet. Immediately thereafter the Rangers started asking the questions, chiefly, How many goals are we going to score tonight? Banfield conceded the corners and the yellow and black took full advantage. A near side run, composed nicely of an overlap, a fantastic dribble and a fine cross allowed Ron Burden to put the exclamation point on a dynamic offensive series.
You gotta run
(Run)
(Run riot)
You know the time has come
(Run)
(Run Riot)
The Rangers soon found their rhythm and were switching fields, defending well, and linking up to the outside to keep the defenders off balance. Not content to keep the scoreline at just 1-0, new player Malvern Ntini took a run straight through the heart of the Banfield defense and beat the keeper to the left. 2-0.
C'mon, it's alright we're hot tonight
(Night, night, night)
Run! (Run)
(Run riot)
You gotta run
The potent attacking threat offered by the new players allowed the team to loosen up and play possession. The reserves on the sideline enthusiastically counted a series of eleven consecutive passes. The team was also able to add a new dimension to their game--the attacking stopper. Spirits were high at the halftime whistle, and ever cautious of the first ten minutes of the second half, the Rangers continued to hustle and play a smart game. Ntini got his second goal a little after the hour mark--
You know the time has come
(Run)
(Run riot)
C'mon, run with me
(Run)
--and then Banfield started getting frustrated. A studs up, double boot tackle on Kyle Gunsul was correctly carded by match referee Casey Dineen. Sibanda was also cautioned after fending off hard challenges from a handful of attackers tying to steal the ball from him. Greenberg was robbed of at least four breakaways on goal when the official incorrectly called him offsides--he was played on in all cases by their right back. Throughout the match, our side showed class by playing the ball out of touch when an opponent dislocated his shoulder or was otherwise injured.
McKenzie Anderson returned as Junior Ranger and our sideline boasted five or six fans. All in all, it was a fine evening...a fine evening to watch FC77...
(Run!) (Run riot)
Hey! C'mon!
Stick with me!
(Run riot)(Extended one-armed drum solo)
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