Wolfhounds FC 0:1 FC77 Rangers

Wolfhounds FC 0 - 1 FC77 Rangers

(Burden 40')

'Gers recorded their first match victory in a freakishly long period of time against eternal rivals Wolfhounds FC at the now familiar confines of Dick Baker Stadium, Gladstone High School on Match Day Three of the GPSD 030/1st Winter (Pre-)season. Ron Burden's curving corner kick was the difference between the two sides in a closely pitted contest. It wasn't a classic Blue Monk Derby, but we'll take the three points nonetheless, ma'am...

Starting XI:

Silverman, goalkeeper

Pullen - Calkins - Payne, fullbacks

Snyder, holding midfielder

Ingersoll - Muralt - Gullung - Burden, midfielders

Switzer - Youssef, strikers

Reserves: Harris

Not available: Bauman, King, Schutte

After the official winter 2011 team picture was taken--because honestly, we get literally hundreds of requests for photos so our throngs of fans can get them autographed. Seriously--'Gers took to the pitch in their familiar 3-1-4-2 formation. Welcoming Snyder and Gullung into the side for the first match of the year, the Yellow and Black pressed the play from the start. Rushing down the field, former Wolfhound Switzer, playing for perhaps the final time as a Ranger, blasted an early shot past the left upright. A couple of throw-ins deep in the 'Hounds half of the field hinted at more chances and Ingersoll's drive from inside the box chipped past the right post. Youssef fought hard up front and often found himself battling multiple defenders for space or the ball.

The home side recovered their composure and started to put together some passes. Payne [Fun true fact: He was playing with a fractured rib!], Calkins, and Pullen were able to intercept any potential messes and Silverman aptly dealt with any balls that trickled through. Muralt looked dangerous from distance as the half wound down with a wicked shot that was headed just under the crossbar, but to their keeper's credit, he stretched big and got enough of his fingers on the ball to push it off the top of the frame and out of bounds for a corner kick.

After the interval the side went back to work through the middle, with Muralt, Gullung, Snyder and Harris all working hard to change up the play, make quick passes, or look for an outlet. The little bit of luck that has eluded us for quite a while finally came round ten minutes into the second half when Burden came across the pitch to take a corner kick. His kick was expertly delivered into the mixer and seemed to curve inwards just enough to make the goalkeeper nervous. The delivery found eyes for net and despite a valiant effort to punch it away, the ball splashed into the net for the only goal of the afternoon. "I'll take that!" Burden cheered as the sides reformed. 'Hounds put up a spirited bit of ball for the final twenty minutes and found a lot of possession in our side. Silverman roared out to make several sliding saves, eventually getting his clean sheet. A late series of shots had the home side screaming for a penalty, but match official Padman would have none of it and looked like he was giving serious thought to carding one of the more vocal Wolfhounds. 'Gers got a couple of more breaks, with Muralt and Ingersoll both letting fly from outside the box, but in the end it was Burden's blast from the corner that was the game winner.

Match notes...As mentioned, this was Switzer's last match as a Ranger...Attendance was estimated at ten, consisting mostly of joggers running along the track...Wolfhounds donned yellow pennies as the home side since both sides were wearing black...

Next Match:

FC77 Rangers v Kells FC

Sunday, 6 March, 2001

Liberty High School, Hillsboro, Oregon

7:00 p.m. KO

"Rangers vs. a Celtic replica wearing Kells...

A potential Rose City Old Firm in the making?"