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Rangers Run Riot
Damian Ainsworth26 Jan - 14:40
Alwoodley a busted flush as Menston put 5 past them in County Cup
Fans of Wolfe Hall will remember Alan ('Al') Woodley, whose position as ‘Keeper of The Royal Stool' meant he was, quite literally, closer to King Henry VIII than any other man in the royal court.
Whilst Woodley's role was not to be sniffed at, it was reputed to leave a bad taste in the mouth when he was separated from the royal stool to campaign in the north of England on behalf of the king. In "The Mirror and the Light", Hilary Mantel described how he managed to subjugate the northerners and was rewarded with a plot of land and 500 pigs in an area north of Leeds that now bears his name. After the conflict, Woodley returned to his position until things metaphorically, 'hit the fan'. He was ultimately executed, alongside Thomas Cromwell, his years of brown-nosing unable to prevent his downfall.
Alwoodley faced Menston in a much delayed 4th Round County Cup fixture at St Mary's, on a bitingly cold morning. With Macauley out, Hutchinson a late absentee, and Casey in need of a hasty pair of replacement boots, Rangers had a few things to consider but started the match confidently. Miller soon imposed his authority, dominating down the left and threatening whenever he had the ball. Imran tapped in to open the scoring after a free kick was parried and the floodgates threatened to unlock. However, despite a heavy shot count, Menston could not add to the advantage before the break. Alwoodley did have their moments with an outstanding Jefferson leaping in to save a goal-bound shot a highlight.
Rangers made their absolute dominance count in the second half. Miller poked home to make it two before Boughan, with shades of Bobby Charlton in the 1966 World Cup semi-final against Portugal, struck with a screamer from 35 yards out. The game was now opening up and Ainsworth and Boughan, with a second, added some gloss to a shining performance. With all players rising to the occasion, a word goes out to captain Fleming, a consummate professional who commandeered his surroundings.
With confidence high, Menston march into the quarter-finals of the County Cup.
Whilst Woodley's role was not to be sniffed at, it was reputed to leave a bad taste in the mouth when he was separated from the royal stool to campaign in the north of England on behalf of the king. In "The Mirror and the Light", Hilary Mantel described how he managed to subjugate the northerners and was rewarded with a plot of land and 500 pigs in an area north of Leeds that now bears his name. After the conflict, Woodley returned to his position until things metaphorically, 'hit the fan'. He was ultimately executed, alongside Thomas Cromwell, his years of brown-nosing unable to prevent his downfall.
Alwoodley faced Menston in a much delayed 4th Round County Cup fixture at St Mary's, on a bitingly cold morning. With Macauley out, Hutchinson a late absentee, and Casey in need of a hasty pair of replacement boots, Rangers had a few things to consider but started the match confidently. Miller soon imposed his authority, dominating down the left and threatening whenever he had the ball. Imran tapped in to open the scoring after a free kick was parried and the floodgates threatened to unlock. However, despite a heavy shot count, Menston could not add to the advantage before the break. Alwoodley did have their moments with an outstanding Jefferson leaping in to save a goal-bound shot a highlight.
Rangers made their absolute dominance count in the second half. Miller poked home to make it two before Boughan, with shades of Bobby Charlton in the 1966 World Cup semi-final against Portugal, struck with a screamer from 35 yards out. The game was now opening up and Ainsworth and Boughan, with a second, added some gloss to a shining performance. With all players rising to the occasion, a word goes out to captain Fleming, a consummate professional who commandeered his surroundings.
With confidence high, Menston march into the quarter-finals of the County Cup.
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