By Neil Winsor

Photographs supplied by Lee Myers

Photo #1 – Rangers celebrate Chris Spinks last gasp equaliser earlier in the season

Photo #2 – Bill Gill prepares to introduce Charlie Birley at Staveley MW last weekend, a player we may see more of in the final month of the campaign

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PICKERING Town who visit Haworth Park this weekend, are the blueprint for Hall Road Rangers according to Rangers boss Bill Gill.

As one of the early season championship favourites, ‘The Pikes’ currently occupy third place and still have hopes of reaching expectations placed on them by winning the NCEL Premier Division title.

Gill also reflected on the earlier season game which saw his players salvage a deserved point thanks to a late Chris Spinks equaliser which sparked passionate celebrations at full time.

Gill said tonight “Pickering is another good challenge for us.

They are a club that we are striving to emulate, in terms of them having their own style, and status at this level which they have maintained for a number of seasons.

We matched them last time out and we are hopeful we can go one further this time out.”

Last weekend’s win at Staveley MW renewed belief that an upturn in fortunes is only around the corner and that optimism continued to grow as Hall Road looked like they may stun fifth placed Maltby Main on Tuesday night.

It wasnt to be however as they squandered a 2-1 lead, to eventually lose 3-2.

Other encouraging signs have also come in terms of individual performances in the last three games.

Gareth Owen has netted twice in each of the games he has started, whilst Fraser Hansen also appears to be benefiting from a role further forward up the pitch which saw him also bag the opener at Staveley MW.

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The club also handed debuts to 16 year old talent Reggie Waud, whilst Charlie Birley set up Josh Batty’s late strike at Staveley MW last weekend to secure the points and is also an exciting talent.

Gill also admitted that with the crazy schedule they face, which sees them try to cram in their final 13 games into a 28 day period, that squad rotation is inevitable, but he has no apprehension, about using those that have not featured as much recently, something which may also give an opportunity to Leon Smith who has appeared fleetingly from the substitutes bench since signing from East Yorkshire Carnegie.

“We have lots of games coming up, so I intend to rotate a little and this may give fringe players and youngsters a chance to shine.
It was disappointing mid-week (defeat to Maltby) and we now have to approach this game a little differently after not picking up any points in that game.”