Hall Road boss left stranded after win

Toolstation NCEL Division One

Hallam 0-1 Hall Road Rangers

Hall Road Rangers manager Dave Ricardo, was left stranded after his side’s win at Hallam

Hall Road Rangers were so overjoyed with their win at promotion rivals Hallam that they left manager Dave Ricardo at Sandygate.

A vehicle which was halfway back to Hull had to go back to Sheffield to collect their stranded chief after confusion over who was driving him home.

The Hall Road hero was their skipper Ash Dexter, whose goal puts Rangers in a great position.

The first half was largely even, with both teams enjoying large periods of possession but both sides failed to break the deadlock. The best chance for the hosts in the first half saw Hall Road keeper Phil Dobson have to fling himself to tip away a dangerous free kick which was bound for the left corner.

Hall Road’s best chance came from a right hand cross to the far post which was met by an onrushing attacker, only to have the Hallam keeper show excellent reflexes to save with his legs from point blank range.

Both sides had chances but it was on 52 minutes when Rangers nudged in front in scrappy circumstances. Chris Spinks whipped in a free kick from the left hand touchline, which appeared to be gathered by the Hallam keeper. However after the cross was spilled Dexter scored his fifth goal of the season when from close range he poked the ball into the net to spark wild celebrations.

As expected, Hallam threw everything at their visitors but Hall Road’s defence stood firm and they heroically kept out their sixth placed hosts to record three massive points.

What They Said

Hall Road Rangers manager Dave Ricardo

“I said during the week it would be a case of who won the fight and who had the quality and luck. I firmly believe we had the first and the last.

In terms of quality it was an even game, and to a neutral, a draw was probably a fair result.

That been said however we had to withstand a lot of pressure in the last 30 minutes after Ash gave us the lead, and away from home, to show that attribute makes me feel that we deserved to nick it.”