Match Preview: Wetherby Athletic

We welcome the New Year in at Barr Field with a scintillating derby against near neighbours Wetherby Athletic on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled to be 2pm and it should be a game played in sunny intervals, although dress up warm as the temperature is only forecast to be between 4-5 degrees C!

We have faltered a bit recently and find ourselves looking for a first win in five attempts. Last weekend’s abandonment against Aberford Albion certainly didn’t help issues, but at least gave the team chance to stretch their legs, something Manager Dan Marshall was glad of despite the match being brought to a sudden end.

Our visitors have had a season well beneath the expectations that they would have set themselves at the start of this campaign. However, with recent results showing that they are more than capable of hitting the target, especially with the return of striker Josh Wilson from Tadcaster Magnets, it shouldn’t be long before they move away from the 15th place that they find themselves in at present. A win for us could see us reclaim fifth place from Hartshead, but a defeat could allow both Otley and Kippax to chip away at the seven-point lead that we have over them!

On their travels, Wetherby are the only team yet to record an away win. They have however gained a point from a 2-2 draw against current league leaders Boroughbridge. Goals wise, they have found the target seven times (avg. 0.9 goals scored per away game) whilst conceding 25 (avg. 3.1 goals conceded per away game). A look at the FA stats shows that Chris Travena will need paying attention to as he has hit eight goals so far this season and resides in 12th place in the Leading League Goalscorers list.

Over the years the two clubs have met in several different forms with teams playing A, B or Reserves sides, but it’s been a while since the two main teams have come face to face and with players known to both sides, it should be a superb game between two football orientated teams.

Both teams are suspension free and with players returning from injury, Marshall should have a very strong squad to choose from.

The referee for this match will be Mr James Parker. This will be Mr Parker’s third game in charge with two other appearances coming as an Assistant Referee. In his role as man in the middle he has issued one yellow card and no reds. We hope that Mr Parker has a pleasant time whilst he is at Barr Field.

We would also like to wish our visiting team, their fans and officials a pleasant journey to and from our ground. The gates will be open from around 12:30pm and you are more than welcome to come and join us for a drink in our clubhouse. We will be serving our matchday special for just £2.00 per bottle, and there will also be a great range of both alcoholic and soft drinks for you to buy before, at half-time and after the game.

Also, if you have any spare pennies and would like to donate them to a great cause, we will also have our prostate Cancer UK collection boxes around the clubhouse. You can also buy one of their great Men United Pin Badges for a pound (or two!) from these boxes as well.

League Form (over last five matches)

Rangers W D L D L

Athletic L W L L L

Leading League Goalscorer

Rangers Roman Neal 8 goals

Athletic Chris Travena 8 goals

Kirk Deighton Rangers v Wetherby Athletic Match Sponsor:

We would like to thank Mr Robson for his kind gesture in sponsoring this match.