Paget Rangers V Earlswood Town (Division Two)

​Paget Rangers were looking to continue their good form with a statement result against Earlswood Town yesterday afternoon. The Bears were coming off an impressive 7-2 away win against Coventry Alvis last weekend and had won three of their last five matches in the league.   

It feels like Paget are rebuilding at step seven following relegation from division one last season. They have been a lot more competitive in division two so far and were sitting comfortably in mid table going into the weekend.

The Bears are making progress under manager Sean Feeney and have made some strides in the league. They have beaten the likes of Coventrians and Lane Head and can challenge for a top half finish.      

Earlswood Town have been one of the stories of the season in division two and were sitting in 3rd coming into this match. The Solihull side have got off to a brilliant start under new manager Tom Reynolds and have been tough to beat with just two losses from twelve matches in division two.  

The Earls had yet to lose away from home with three straight wins against Lane Head, Central Ajax and Coventry Alvis to start the season. 

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Starting line ups

The starting line up for Paget included Ashley O’Neill starting in goal and Will Merricks captaining the team from central midfield. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with a front two of Melaku Hunter and Max Wightman being supported by Jamal Gittens in the number ten role.

There were three changes from their match against Coventry Alvis last weekend with Donald Egbon coming into the team and playing in holding midfield.

The starting line up for Earlswood included Scott Cashmore starting in goal and Jack Slevin captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with Jordan McKenzie playing up front and being supported by Joseph Kelso and Oliver Parsons on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Central Ajax last weekend with Abdoullah Kchikech coming into the team and playing at right-back. 

​First Half

Paget started the match on the front foot and took a surprise lead in the opening few minutes when Max Wightman found some space in the box before calmly finishing into the bottom left corner for 1-0.   

Earlswood gradually settled into the match as the first half went on and came close to finding an equaliser when Joseph Kelso made a promising run to the back post before having a shot hit the crossbar on 8 minutes. 

Paget were causing problems for Earlswood down the channels yesterday and looked like a side in form. Melaku Hunter impressed up front as the number nine. He made some good runs into the final third and did a good job of holding up the play to bring players into the game.

The visitors had that attacking quality to get back into it though with Jordan McKenzie looking a threat up front and making things happen in the box.

The Earls found an equaliser in the middle of the first half thanks to a moment of quality in the final third. Joseph Kelso beat a few players down the right-hand side before crossing the ball to Jordan McKenzie at the back post who finished into the top right corner on 26 minutes.

The former Castle Vale Town striker was at the centre of Earlswood’s attacking play and came close to making it 2-1 a few minutes later when he had a header go just wide of the left-hand post.

The visitors enjoyed a good ten-minute spell of sustained momentum in the middle of the first half and were asking Paget some questions. Anton Alexander helped to break up the play from holding midfield which helped them gain a foothold in the match.

Paget stood firm though and showed good discipline both on and off the ball to not let the match getaway from them.

They looked dangerous on the break throughout the first half and produced a brilliant move to make it 2-1 on 37 minutes. Max Wightman made an inspired run down the right-hand side before getting into the box and squaring the ball to Melaku Hunter who finished into the top right corner. 

Earlswood had a good chance for an equaliser in the closing stages of the first half when Oliver Parsons had a header well saved by Ashley O’Neill to keep it at 2-1 going into half time.

Second Half

The pattern of the match continued early in the second half with Earlswood building some momentum on the ball and Paget looking dangerous on the counterattack.

The Bears worked hard off the ball yesterday to not allow any easy chances for Earlswood. Princeton Romanus impressed at centre back and did well to clear the danger and break up promising attacks.   

Paget put together another free-flowing move to make it 3-1 on 49 minutes. Max Wightman made a good run down the left-hand side before crossing it to Melaku Hunter at the back post. He headed the ball onto Jamal Gittens who finished into the top right corner.  

Melaku Hunter had a guilt edged chance to make it 4-1 a few minutes later when he made a well-timed run off the shoulder to be through on goal. He ran into the box before firing wide of the right-hand post.

This gave Earlswood the chance to get back in it and they found a crucial goal to make it 3-2 on the hour mark. Substitute Keelan Reilly played an intricate through ball to Jordan McKenzie in the box who calmly finished into the bottom right corner to reduce the deficit.

The visitors had the momentum following the goal and found an equaliser a few minutes later to make it 3-3 in a thrilling second half. Abdoullah Kchikech found some space in the box before producing a quality finish into the top left corner.

Just as it looked like Earlswood were going to press on in search of a winner, Paget scored again to make it 4-3. Max Wightman made a brilliant run off the shoulder before running through on goal with just Scott Cashmore to beat. He showed good composure to finish into the top right corner on 64 minutes to restore Paget’s lead.  

The Bears had a good chance to wrap up the match on 81 minutes when Jamal Gittens made a promising run through on goal. His shot was comfortably saved by Scott Cashmore in the Earlswood goal. 

The bench made a difference for the visitors yesterday and gave them more of an impetus going forward. Ryan Moulton came on a few minutes after half time and made them harder to break down in midfield. Keelan Reilly also impressed and played some good balls into the final third.

The Earls came close to making it 4-4 on 85 minutes when Jordan McKenzie found some space before firing over the bar which would have completed his hat-trick.

The pressure from the visitors eventually told a few minutes before full time and they found the equaliser thanks to a moment of quality. A second ball from a throw in was played to substitute Leo Henderson on the edge of the box. He created a bit of space before finding the top left corner for 4-4.

Upcoming fixtures

Paget have a busy run of fixtures coming up which includes playing Old Wulfrunians in the JW Hunt Cup on Tuesday evening at Boldmere St Michaels. They then have some tough fixtures against Northfield (Away, next Saturday) and Cadbury Athletic (Home, Saturday 8th November) over the next few weeks.

The Bears then play West Midlands Regional League side Stourbridge Standard (Away) in the Birmingham Saturday Vase before playing Birmingham United at home on Saturday 22nd November.

Earlswood also have a busy schedule of fixtures and play Boldmere Falcons (Away) next Saturday in the LJ Challenge Cup before playing Coundon Court at home in the Coventry Charity Cup on Saturday 8th November.

The Earls then travel to Glades in the Birmingham Saturday Vase on Saturday 15th November before returning to league action against Cadbury Athletic (Home) on Saturday 22nd November.                 

FT score: Paget Rangers 4-4 Earlswood Town

Man of the match: Max Wightman (Paget Rangers)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League