CULLOMPTON RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB

HEADLINES -Dinner & Dance draws near / Under 9's runners up at Exmouth Tournament / Under 8's edged out in Tivy Tournament Final / Cottrell double can't prevent last day defeat/ Rangers throw away two goal lead and finish rock bottom of the SWP League Premier Division/ Willand Rovers win final game to finish 3rd /Reserves beaten 7-3 at Clyst Valley but put up a gutsy display / Not too late for Dinner tickets / 

The Under 9's were runners up in the Exmouth Tournament, pipped by Colyton to the winners medals, the front page picture is of the Under 9's post match with their Trophies - see more pictures now at http://www.cully.dsl.pipex.com/5may/

The Under 8's were beaten in the Final of their first 'Summer Tournament' at the weekend going down by a single goal to Bridgewater. Check out the full report now on the Under 8's page on our Youth Pages.

The final game of the SWP Premier Division season almost mirrored the way the Rangers season has gone. The side got off to a great start, then lost their way, battled back to look like going on and winning the game only to concede a couple late on and lose the game against St. Blazey 4-3 ! With the visitors bringing a large travelling contingent of supporters all wearing 'beach clothing' and the home numbers reinforced by the fact that the 3rds had no game today there was a good atmosphere. It got better as Rangers grabbed a 3rd minute lead from Kenny Smith after great work from Jamie Cottrell. On 20 minutes Cottrell scored a superb solo goal to give Rangers a two goal lead but just five minutes later confusion in the Rangers six yard box saw keeper Chris Garnsworthy call, and come for a dropping ball, only to find defender Andy Carnell arriving a split second earlier and his attempted clearance cannoned into the goal, and the visitors were level at the end of the first half with a shot from 18 yards that went past Garnsworthy at his near post off the upright. Six minutes after the break Zbigniew Buzeski played Cottrell in and the fleet footed striker needed no prompting and finished well but barely two minutes later more defensive uncertainty gifted the visitors an immediate equaliser and they took the points with a 4th goal twelve minutes from time when, after a run of corners they met one at the far post to head home. There was still time for Cottrell to find the back of the net again, but sadly he was denied a hat trick by a linesman flags for offside and that was that - one 'seasoned' Rangers follower summed it all up post match when he said: " It's been poor this season, but then we have set ourselves up in the highest level yet for this Club, but there have been too many changes in the team and we have lacked real quality at this level in key Departments, hopefully next season will be better " - we'll all drinkt to that one!

Congratulations must go to all at Willand Rovers who won their final game of the Toolstation League season to seal a 3rd place finish behind Truro City and Dawlish Town, the latter they meet on Tuesday Night at Silver Street in the Final of the Devon Bowl. Rovers beat Frome Town 1-0 today to book their highest ever finish in the Western League.

There were a couple of matches in the SWP League Premier, Eastern and Western Division last night - check out our SWP pages now for the updated tables and those midweek results.

Reserves go down 7-3 at Clyst Valley. The scoreline certainly flattered the hosts. Gazza worked miracles to get 11 players on the pitch as the lure of Chelsea v Liverpool seemed to be more important to some players. After going behind to an early goal Rangers scored two goals in quick succession through Jamie Cottrell and James Bedford to give them a 2-1 lead but then an avalanche of really quality goals gave the hosts a 6-2 lead at the interval. Surely there would be a landslide in the second half but the boys really dug deep and only conceded once and even added to their score with a 35 yard free kick from Dan Greening.

Dinner tickets can still be obtained from Les Farrant. Next Friday's Dinner still has a few spare seats. Tickets are £15 for a 3 course meal followed by a Disco. Numbers must be with Les by next Monday.

Saturdays final game of the South West Peninsula League season looks set to provide some serious colour around Speeds Meadow with the news that visitors St. Blazey are calling for their followers and players to take up the theme of 'the beach' for the game - here's a posting on the Cornish sccer forum (many thanks to Mr SWP League Phil Hiscox for bringing this to our attention!)

Blazey's first beach party will be held at Cullumpton, to celebrate the first season of the SWPL
Blow up toys ( erring on the decent side ) and hawaian shirts and shorts will be the order of the day.
So come on lets give the boys a rousing end of season and have some fun


CUMMON BLAZEY

THE ABOVE is the posting - so there we are then, and how can we respond to that, grass skirts anyone ?

Unfortunately Alex Howe's troublesome broin injury means that he is likely to miss out.

Thirds lose 4-2 to Okehampton. Despite a plucky performance the Thirds went down to an Okehampton side reinforced with several of their normal first team players and it was the introduction of one of them, Adam Mortimer, for the second half which swung the game in favour of the visitors. Dan Riggs gave Cully a 1-0 half time lead and Manof the Match ADrian Horrell added a seond near the end. It was a sad way to bring the curtain down on a season when often Richard Dibble's charges have provided the sole source of comfort after the Reserves and Firsts have taken a pounding.

Reserves travel to Clyst Valley. Gazza will take his shell shocked team on another journey of adventure tonight when they take on Clyst Valley with a 6.30 kick off. He has done a fantastic job ensuring that the club fulfilled the last ten fixtures of the campaign.

Speeds Meadow will host the Geary Cup Final next Thursday 8th May when Honiton face Beer Albion ko 7.30pm

The Rangers Under 7's are celebrating the marvellous achievement of winning the Mid Devon Youth League FAIR PLAY award for this season. Coach Frank Rhodes was present to pick up the award at the Saturday night Awards ceremony in Tiverton - WELL DONE FRANK, ALL HIS ASSISTANTS AND OF COURSE OUR ENTIRE UNDER 7 SQUAD.

The Under 13's played on Saturday morning and put St. Martins to the sword thanks to a magnificient hat trick from Josh Luxon on the Speeds Meadow main pitch - check out three photos of the game on the Rangers Youth Gallery page and also read Bill Goffs report on the Under 13 page of the Rangers Youth pages. Also check out the latest Under 8 match reports from Dominic Clark on the Rangers Youth pages.

Bodmin Town duly claimed the SWP League title with a 4-0 home win over Buckland Athletic but the days most incredible Premier Division result came at St. Blazey. The Cornish side are here for the end of season game next Saturday and this weekend they beat Ivybridge Town 9-3 !! Check out all the days results in the top Division now on our SWP pages. 

Rangers Reserves went down 6-1 at home to Feniton, Lee Maunder scored the Rangers goal when they were 4-0 down, but they did then 'spurn' a chance for 4-2 before shipping two late goals - todays front page picture is from the game and youy can see more pictures on the Seniors Sides pics page.

WHO'S HOT & WHO'S NOT - the current form charts for the SWP League Premier Division have been updated - check them out now on our SWP pages.

Bodmin beat Saltash 1-0 on Wednesday night to move within touching distance of claiming the first ever SWP League Premier Division Title. One more win in their remaining three games will see them crowned Kings of the League. Check out the other results and the latest League table after the Wednesday Night games on our SWP pages.

Dawlish Town were hit by an 88th minute goal at Frome Town in a game that could have pushed Willand Rovers nearer a 3rd place finish in the Toolstation Premier Division. Town led 1-0 and 2-1 before that late home equaliser. Frome must still beat Truro away on Saturday and then stop Willand Rovers winning their Silver Street meeting on Saturday week (May 3rd) to deny Clive Jones side that coveted 3rd place finish.

It still remains to be seen who will come up from the Eastern Division to play in the Premier Division next season - it is now a 'two horse race' with Newton Abbot and Exmouth Town - who hav eyet to meet, set to battle it out for that particular honour.

There was one game played on Tuesday Night in the SWP League Premier Division and it saw Parkway keep alive their flickering Title hopes with a single goal win at Torpoint. Check out the SWP pages to see the latest Table. There was also the Final of the Graddon Vending Cup - that saw Totnes & Dartington beat Appledore 2-1.

6 A side entry Forms are now available from Marcus Scott at scott.marcus@ukgateway.net or ring 01884 32662. To remind you that 8,10,12,14 age groups play on 20th July and 9,11,13 & 15 on 19th July. We hope to announce shortly that there will be an Under 7 competition to be run on 13th July.

We have filled the First Team Match report and updated the 1st Team line ups and season long appearances - for the match report visit the First Team Match reports page and for the team appearances visit the Speeds Meadow scene page.

Tuesday Express & Echo Newspaper is a 'must buy' for all Rangers Under 8 followers - it carries a team picture of the victorious Under 8's after their Mid Devon Youth Cup win on Sunday at Uffculme and on the front page of the Echo's regular six page Football 'pull out' there is a fabulous picture of Connor Pengelly complete with Trophy !

Some news of interest now from near neighbours Willand Rovers who are coming to the end of their 'best ever' season in the Western League. A win on Saturday week at home to Frome Town should be enough to see Rovers finish 3rd and meanwhile the COMPLETE 1st Team Squad are on duty on Tuesday Night of this week and Saturday afternoon helping out with the gound work ready for the summer moving of the Silver Street playing surface. Rovers Boss Clive Jones says: " It's a great advert for the word 'teamwork' some hard graft on the mixer won't do the lads any harm and it allows us to combine some serious bodily exercise with doing some very useful work at the ground". Rover also have a Cup Final to play - the stage the Devon Bowl Final at their ground on May 6th when Dawlish Town are the opposition.

Reserves were let down by several late cry offs for their basement battle at Topsham last night. Gazza was left with the bare bones for this difficult match which saw them come up against Gavin Ward and Ian Curran who had both donned the Rangers first team shirt this season. After going one down after an unchracteristic slip by Gateway Rangers lost Ryan Scott with a dead leg. This gave Mark Cridland the opportunity to come on as sub and score his first goal of the season. There was also a goal for veteran Ian Allen who played up front with the player manager. The lads were by no means disgraced and finally went down 5-2.

Rangers Under 8's are the Cup KINGS of the MIDE DEVON YOUTH LEAGUE - AGAIN !!! Twelve months ago Paul Hawkins led the Rangers Under 8's to a win in the Final of the Tony Pryce Sponsored Mid Devon Youth League when they won a dramatic final against Moors. A year on and this years Rangers Under 8's Managed by Simon Fry and Coached by Dominic Clark, have won it again !!! Connor Pengelly, a member of that 2007 winning team was also a key member of this years team who beat SK Plymouth 2-0 in the final - check out the reports on the games now on the Rangers Youth pages (Under 8 section).

Not for the first time this season we must acknowldege their marvellous achievement of being crowned CHAMPIONS of the Cornwall & Devon Rugby League this season following their Saturday afternoon success against Tavistock. We salute our friends at Stafford Park and wish them a good rest this summer before more heroics next season at the higher level - WELL DONE THE RUGBY CLUB !

Rangers crashed to another heavy away defeat as they went down 5-1 at Tavistock and that result, coupled with others elsewhere means that Rangers WILL NOW close the first ever season of the South West Peninsula League in one of the two bottom places, a berth that would, in normal seasons, result in relegation ! - check out all the days results and how they affect the League Table now on our SWP pages.

Parkway won the only SWP League Premier Division game played on Wednesday Night beating hapless Newton Abbot 8-2 - check out how that affects the League table on our SWP pages now.

Truro City have released a statement that comes as something of a huge shock -THEY ARE NOT NOW TURNING FULL TIME NEXT SEASON - here is the statement issued by the Chairman and posted on the Truro City website -

I am saddened to announce that Truro City Football Club will not become a full-time team next season. The transition from becoming a part-time club to that of a full-time professional club was always going to be an enormous amount of work. The club has, over the past few years, created an infrastructure to support this ascension, however there has been a consistent thorn in our side; facilities. As a full-time club we would require a specific base suitable to deal with the rigours of full-time football, yet despite extensive work we have been unable to locate a suitable venue.
Obviously we were dealt a major blow when our own plans were rejected, but as a club we are adamant that with continued work – and aided by Cornish Homes – we will find something befitting requirements over the next 12 months. As a result our hand is forced and for the immediate short-term the club will continue in the same capacity it has since my arrival as Chairman. I would like to assure supporters that we are already in the process of talking to the players about next season, and I am confident that with our hard work and their support, Truro City’s first Southern League season will be a success.

Kevin Heaney  Truro City FC Chairman

16 April 2008

There was an incredible score line in last nights Les Phillips Cup semi final between Truro City and Bideford. With Dawlish Town waiting to see who would meet them in the May 10th Horsdon Park Final the home side, who were confirmed as Toolstation Champions at the weekend with a 6-0 Home win over Radstock Town, charged into a two goal lead within twenty minutes but Bideford stormed back to eventualy claim a memorable 6-2 win and claim that Final berth !

Last years Rangers 'Player Of The Year', and to many one of the finest players to wear a Rangers shirt, Simon Bochenski, made a dramatic appearance in a Barnstaple Town shirt on Tuesday Night. The Tiverton Town man who is signed on Toolstation forms by Barum, was called off the bench by Boss Peter Buckingham with the side 3-1 up against Chard Town and within TWENTY SECONDS the Royal Marine had gor the ball in the back of the net and he went on to get another what ended as a 6-1 home win.

Jamie Mudge netted his 30th goal in 29 Toolstation games for Dawlish Town last night to send the Sandy Lane outfit on the way to a 4-2 win at Radstock and take Town to within another win of claiming the runners up berth in the Western League. They are also set to appear in two end of season Cup Finals, meeting Wiland Rovers at Silver Street on Tuesday May 6th in the Final of the Devon Bowl and four days later they will play Bideford at the home of Elmore in the Les Phillips Cup Final. At Radstock the other Dawlish scorers were, Liam Moseley, Derek Fields and Adam Shearer. 

There were two games played in the SWP Premier Division on Tuesday Night, our hosts on Saturday Tavistock, beat Buckland by the odd goal in five and there was a 1-1 draw at Falmouth Town where Torpoint were the midweek visitors.

The Reserves now look certain to be playing Senior football next season. The 4-0 defeat at the hands of Bickleigh on Monday night means that the Reserves will be back in Senior football next season. It was very much a "backs to the wall" effort as the young and inexperienced side thwatred the home team unitil just before the half time whistle. The second half started brightly for the visitors and Neil Hunter was unlucky to see two of his efforts come back off the upright and Shane Coffey saw his close range lob just clear the crossbar. But after that it was mainly one way traffic as the young guns of the Reserves visibly tired and Bickleigh went on to dominate the rest of the game, especially after they introduced Liam Raybould into the fray. Gazza has worked miracles to put together a team which never gives in and they certainly made the home team work hard for their victory.

Rangers Under 7's and Under 8's are playing this coming Sunday in the Mid Devon Youth Finals Day being held at Magdelake, the Headquarters of Culm United Fotball Club in Magdelake -the Under 7's managed by Frank Rhodes and the Under 8's led by Simon Fry would love any Rangers support - kick off is at 10.30am.

Rangers are no longer bottom of the SWP League current form ! Following Saturdays 3-2 win over Buckland Rangers have climbed clear of the bottom THREE berths - check out the latest WHO'S HOT & WHO'S NOT feature on our SWP pages now. 

Both the Rangers Under 7's & Under 8's were in action on Sunday in the MDYL - check out their respective pages now for the full details.

Feniton Boss Dave Carnall was full of glowing praise for Rangers Reserves after his side won their Devon & Exeter League Premier Division meeting 4-0. Carnall said:

 " Full credit must go to Rangers. To think that not too long ago Pinhoe simply threw their hat in and gave up and yet Dave Greening and Rangers battle on. They were a credit to both Gazza and his team and you had to feel for them ending up with ten men - (hope the injury clears up soon Gazza) - but with such resolve Rangers will enjoy good days soon, they were a credit to themsleves and indeed the League".

The opening goal at Speeds Meadow on Saturday afternoon saw Kenny Smiths shot settle in the back of the net AFTER hitting the cross bar and both uprights ! Rangers follower Brian Johns has been researching and these are some of his findings - "There are goals a bit similar to Kenny's credited to Theo Walcott and John
Barnes, viewable on  www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0168mX6g  and
> www.youtube.com/watch?v=01JGzOKMho4    
However these seem to be fantasy fictional efforts constructed by computer game PES6, and indeed they both just miss the second post.  Also they were admittedly both struck from the inside-left rather than inside-right positions.  It looks as if Kenny's goal was too fantastic to have occurred in fiction, let alone in real life " -  thanks for this Brian

Rangers survived a couple of late heart stopping moments to claim a magnificent 3-2 win over Buckland Atheltic at Speeds Meadow and that completes a superb 'double' over the visitors who arrived at Speeds Meadow with a record of seven wins in their previous seven wins. Rangers could only muster TWELVE players for the contest but each and everyone of them played their part - this win was no fluke, and whilst it cannot be argued that, certainly for the first 45 minutes, the visitors had the lions share of the possession and 'won' the first half corner count 9-2, the fact is they rarely 'threatened' Chris Garnsworthy in the Home goal, that is until the final five minutes when Garnsworthy first made a stunning reaction save to his right and then, in the 90th minute after a rare 'slip' by the home custodian with the ball seeming destined for the net and a sickening equaliser player boss Jason Rees amazingly produced a leap that a salmon would indeed have been very proud of, to somehow head the ball from under the bar and away for a corner and then, when the set piece was delivered the visitors centre half, who had his goal keeper up alongside him waiting for the delivery, smacked the cross bar with his header ! Rangers survived and the Referee, moments later, blew for time. Earlier Kenny Smith with a fabulous individual effort and the Player Boss with a precision shot that drilled its way into the bottom cormer on the stroke of half time, had sent Rangers in 2-1 ahead at the break. The lively Jamie Cottrell, what a threat he was all afternoon, ran on to the most perfect of passes from his Manager to draw the full back into a penalty box fould and Smith calmly sent the visiting keeper the wrong way. A set piece was headed home at the far post to set up that frantic finish but the three points was no more than this all round brave performance in which Jason Rees was simply OUTSTANDING - deserved. - read a full match report from 8pm on Saturday evening on the Match Reports page.

Bodmin Town have taken a four point lead at the top of the table after the days results - check them all out now and also the updated Premier Division table on our SWP pages where you will also find the days results and tables for both the Eastern and the Western Divisions.

Rangers Reserves battled bravely before going down 3-0 at Acland Park against Feniton but there was another win for the Third Team who took the points at Heavitree Harriers thanks to a 3-1 win.

In other results Willand Rovers climbed into 3rd spot in the Western League thanks to a 4-0 home win over bottom side Odd Down and Corsham's 5-1 defeat,  Dawlish Town thrashed Devizes 5-0 whilst in the First Division of the Toolstation League Elmore shared the points and four goals at Bradford Town.

On Saturday morning the Rangers Under 8's had an excellent morning winning both games against Sidmouth Town sides and scoring seven goals in each to pass 100 for the season to date - check out the Match Report now on the Rangers Youth pages (Under 8).

 
FOR ALL THE PREVIOUS NEWS FROM SPEEDS MEADOW GO TO OUR ARCHIVE PAGES -