Temple saved by late strike

Temple saved by late strike

18 September 2013

TEMPLE Rangers’ new-look side struggled to reach any great heights when they were held to a draw by a combative Rooftop outfit at Langley Road on Saturday.

Temple, who lost seven players and their manager, Noel Dean, in the close season, are in a rebuilding process, but their young players showed enough potential to suggest that they will again be a force to be reckoned with in the not too distant future.

They started like a runaway train against Rooftop and immediately put the visitors under intense pressure without really creating any clear cut chances.

However, with five minutes gone Alan Dickson, who revelled in the lone striker’s position, chased down a through ball from Chris Strain. He and the Rooftop ‘keeper were on a collision course, but the Temple danger man got their first.

He was unceremoniously emptied by the Rooftop custodian just inside the box, but the referee ignored Temple’s justifiable claims for a penalty, which if it had been given, would also have meant the dismissal of the ‘keeper.

Undeterred, Temple went back on the offensive, but they were too frenetic in their build-ups and as a consequence, hard-earned possession was often frittered away by a meaningless pass into no man’s land.

They were to pay the penalty for a lack of communication and patience in the 18th minute when Rooftop took a shock lead. Stephen Hylands was herded out right to the touchline, but his cross somehow evaded Conor Doherty at the back post and ended up in the back of the net.

Two minutes later Strain and James Croskery, who produced some nice foot candy out on the wing, combined to carve out an opening for Eric Lyons, but he blasted the ball well wide.

With 24 minutes gone another cross from Croskery hit the crossbar, rebounded off the ‘keeper and was finally hacked clear by Curtis Leader as Rooftop survived yet another close shave.

Alan Dickson continued to be Temple’s most dangerous outlet, but he had efforts well saved by Steven Garrett as the first half drew to a close and Lyons also went close with a header following another cross from Croskery.

Temple changed their format at the start of the second half and threw on Johnny Dickson up front in a bid to unlock the Rooftop defence, it took a while, but the tactic did work, eventually.

Johnny was in the thick of things immediately and with 57 minutes gone headed a good chance wide after Croskery had supplied the ammunition.

Craig McMullan then shot wide before Temple, who were now playing some nice, passing football, drew level.

Croskery - who else - fired over a ball from wide right. Garrett was beaten by the flight of the ball and the predatory Johnny Dickson bundled it over the line, much to the relief of the Temple supporters and management team.

It was all or nothing now for Temple and they threw everything at Rooftop as they went in search of the winner. Croskery was again their main option when attacking, but again, an awful lot of possession was wasted by a poor pass or lack of communication.

Johnny Dickson did have a chance to win it in the 87th minute, but he headed a Croskery cross side at the back post. Croskery created another opening two minutes later with another tantalising cross, but Johnny, who again had presented himself in the box, headed wide.

Temple Rangers: C. Doherty, D. Carberry, C. McMullan, D. Crawford, A. Vance, C. Strain, J. Kelly, S. Annett, E. Lyons, A. Dickson, J. Croskery. Subs: J. Dickson, S. McCleery, S. Earney.

Rooftop: S. Garrett, S. Ward, M. Acheson, C .Leader, R. McCormick, K. Kirkwood, J. Orr, L. Crosby, S. Hylands, T. Holmes, C. Keers. Subs: D. McMullan, K. Campbell, M. Shields.

Temple Rangers 1

Rooftop 1

AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 2B