West Midlands Regional League Premier Division

Ellesmere Rangers 2, Wolverhampton Casuals 3

RANGERS’ storming second half fightback proved insufficient to recover the three goal start they gave their Black Country opponents at Beech Grove last Saturday.

Coming out 3-0 down to a side in mid-table, they began their fightback on the hour mark when sub Carl Bailey worked himself an opening on the left and his shot was parried by Casuals keeper Mark Brach allowing Anwar Alogbon to force the ball home from close range to make it 1-3.

Five minutes later and with 20 minutes still to play Rangers set the Wolverhamton nerves jangling with a second goal with Bailey again heavily involved firing home a Mike Nelson cross from the right for 2-3.

With 20 minutes left to play it looked as though Rangers might salvage something from the shambolic first half and this feeling was enhanced when Casuals were reduced to 10 men with a red card issued to Shane Thomas for a lunging two-footed tackle on Andy Haynes.

Casuals for their part were content to run the clock down when they could and play the remainder of the game down the flanks.

Home keeper Mason Springthorpe did not have much to do in the second half – a marked contrast to the first in which he was beaten three times and at other times single-handedly foiled the Casuals attack.

Harry Cunningham seized on a poor clearance from a corner and scored on the turn to put Casuals ahead before Jay Holdcroft added a second – both within the opening 10 minutes.

Ace marksman Liam Hughes added a third when a clearance reached the edge of the box, and his instant and precise shot found the far corner of the net in spectacular style.

On Saturday (March 31) Rangers travel to Wellington Amateurs for a 3pm kick off.