Maltby Main vs Hall Road Rangers

Muglet Lane

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

Saturday September 16

By Neil Winsor

HALL Road Rangers travel to Maltby Main tomorrow as they look to build on their solid start to the NCEL Premier Division season.

Rangers sit on eight points from their opening six games having already faced three sides that finished last season in the top ten of the division, a sign they have acquitted themselves well since stepping up in league status.

They face a Maltby side though, that are predominantly a tough team to crack, at their tight, and sloped Muglet Lane ground and after a slow start, have picked up and are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions, of which they have recorded five wins.

Hall Road completed the re-capture of former Hull City midfielder Joe Cooper this week from local side Chalk Lane but he will have to wait to make his debut as he is unavailable this weekend..

Cooper rejoins though having netted 17 times from midfield last season and will provide a creative spark in Rangers midfield that have already acclimitised themselves well to the step up in division.

They will be without Matty Crane as well as the former Winterton man has broken his ankle and will be out for up to three months.

With Rangers keen to look ahead following the departure of Dave Ricardo last week, Bill Gill will take charge of Rangers and says the mood of the players remains focused and undeterred.

“The mood in the camp is fine and with the addition of Joe Cooper which is a massive boost, it will provide the place with a lift, we may have more players coming in shortly to cover and strengthen the existing squad.

We are working hard behind the scenes to make any incomings happen before the weekend especially with the loss of Matty Crane and a few on holiday.” Gill said

Hall Road will go to Maltby with no fear despite their hosts excellent start to the season and feel they may have even located a weakness at a club well established at this level.

“We expect them to provide a stern test as they have had a decent start.

They are the home team as well and going by their form they like to attack and score plenty of goals, but going by statistics they also concede goals as well.”

Gill has also been enthused by how the players have responded following a difficult week at Haworth Park.

“There’s no excuses in the squad, it’s business as normal for everyone, they maybe some tweaks on tactics and formation.

The plan is to approach the game with a positive attitude, work hard, and take our chances.

If we do that then we can get a result.

The lads are hungry, they want success and they will work hard for the club like always.” Gill continued