Given the fact Rossington Main hadn’t won a game all season it was expected Hall Road would take all three points from this match.
They did but in a manner they didn’t really expect as midfielder Martin Thacker struck a hat-trick of goals.
It was a disjointed game with the players taken off the pitch thirteen minutes from the end of the game. This was due to a suspected broken ankle sustained by Rossington’s Ryan Shelton.
It was thanks to Thacker Rangers took the three points as twin striker’s Paul Palmer and Jamie Barnwell were ineffective. Plus you would have to go a long way to see three better taken goals.
Main should have taken the lead on 17 minutes when Brady Roberts ghosted past the Rangers defence. He then unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the box but which went harmlessly past Steve Wilson’s left post.
But Roberts made amends three minutes later when he was on target this time leaving Wilson grasping at thin air. This seemed to kick start Rangers into action and the quickly equalised.
Directly from the restart Rangers worked the ball up the field for Barnwell to supply Thacker twelve yards out. He lashed the ball past debutante keeper Ryan Norton to level the scores at 1-1 which both sides took into the halftime break.
It wasn’t until the 72nd minute Rangers took the lead when Thacker hammered home a free kick from the edge of the area. Then came the delay when a freak accident saw Shelton either kick the ground or fall awkwardly.
The injury was clearly serious enough for the referee to take the players off the field. There was also the problem of the ambulance being unable to access the playing area.
Play resumed and eight minutes later Thacker completed his hat-trick from another free kick. It was almost from the same place as he rifled the ball into the top corner to give Rangers the three points.

20/10/07
GEDLING TOWN 7 HALL ROAD RANGERS 1
NCEL

Hall Road Rangers went down to an embarrassing 7-1 defeat at unbeaten Gedling Town.
It was a defeat which shows why Gedling have yet to drop a point in their seven games his season.
Rangers early season form paled into insignificance as they were second rate in every department.
At 3-1 down at halftime there was a chance Rangers could get back into this game. However they hadn’t reckoned on striker Tim Wilks being in exceptional form for Town.
Wilks opened the scoring on nine minutes but Rangers equalised two minutes later through a Paul Palmer penalty. Apart from this the visitors were never in the game.
Wilks and Phil Massingham added further goals before halftime and the Town really cut loose in the second half. Wilks completed his quartet as Massingham added another and Alan Jeffries finished things off.
This defeat sees Rangers having down dropped down in the table to seventh in the table. It is now all about restoring pride when Rossington Main come to Dene Park next weekend. 16/10/07
RAINWORTH MW 0 HALL ROAD RANGERS 3
WILKINSON SWORD TROPHY QUARTER FINAL

Hall Road made their first visit to Rainworth on a wet Tuesday evening and produced a performance that delighted manager Steve Richards.
“We had four youngsters out there tonight and they all performed magnificently. Chris Garth, Dave Joyce, Lee Shillito and Matty Spencer slotted into the defence and midfield and to cap it all, young Karl Henry came on for the last ten minutes and scored a cracking goal.
Once again, our goal-scoring machine of Paul Palmer and Jamie Barnwell scored in each half.”
Rainworth started aggressively but hardly troubled Steve Wilson in goal and Draper fluffed a great chance in front of goal.
On 30 minutes, Smith was dismissed for dangerously tackling and then stamping on Adam Walker and six minutes later Jamie Barnwell powered down the right and Paul Palmer calmly steered his precise cross home from 18 yards.
Bainbridge skied a close range effort over the Rangers bar and the Rangers defence cleared off the line a minute before the break.
Rangers dominated the second half as the ten-man home side tired and after Adam Walker had brought a smart low save from Hales, Jamie Barnwell drove a free-kick through the Rainworth wall from just outside the penalty box to make it 2-0. Walker tormented the home defenders and twice went close to getting a third goal.
Karl Henry and Darren Wilson came on for Callum Dransfield and Adam Walker in the last ten minutes and almost on the stroke of time, a Paul Palmer drive was beaten out by Hales only for Henry to smash in the rebound to round off a fine Rangers performance.

13/10/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 4 YORKSHIRE AMATEUR 1
NCEL

Hall Road ran out comfortable winners to continue their unbeaten home winning run with a 4-1 win over Yorkshire Amateur.
Manager Steve Richards was looking for a response to their 2-0 defeat at Bottesford Town last weekend and he got one.
Amateur fielded four players of 16 years of age on debut but they were no match for Rangers. Once again Paul Palmer and Jamie Barnwell got on the scoreboard thus adding to their already healthy seasonal tally.
Rangers Manager Steve Richards was delighted with the win especially as his side had not only made chances but converted them into goals. “Obviously last weeks defeat was our first in the league, and we created enough chances to have won that game but we didn’t take any of them” he said.
“Today was a different kettle of fish, we created numerous chances and the pleasing thing for me is that both our strikers, Jamie Barnwell and Paul Palmer were on the score sheet today.
“Yorkshire Amateur are a well organized side, and we played them earlier this season in the FA Vase. Today I thought that they did reasonably well, but I don’t think they can have any complaints about the score”.
It was honours even for the first twenty minutes before rangers found their scoring touch through Barnwell. It came from a floated free kick into the area for the striker to net his fourth league goal of the campaign.
Rangers were always looking to increase their lead and had a succession of half chances. Palmer then showed his class and vision as he collected the ball on the far right of the box.
He neatly went round the advancing keeper Clark for a superbly weighted cross into the centre. Martin Thacker was able to chip the ball over the Yorkshire defence and into the top corner.
It took the visitors just three minutes to reduce the deficit when Mike Gibson headed past a helpless Steve Wilson for an own goal. But Rangers responded and took a 3-1 lead into the half-time break.
In injury time Rangers took advantage of slack defensive marking and Adam Walker was on hand to slot home from close range.
Rangers controlled the second half and should have been awarded a penalty after Barnwell was clipped from behind. The game was sewn up when Palmer netted a brilliantly chipped goal over Clark as the keeper dived at his feet.

06/10/07
BOTTESFORD TOWN 2 HALL ROAD RANGERS 0
NCEL

Hall Road Rangers tasted a league defeat for the first time this season going down 2-0 to Bottesford Town.
With six places between the two sides t would have been expected Rangers would win this game.
Recent performances have not been pretty but they have been getting the results as they did against Scarborough two weeks ago. It was also the first time this season rangers have failed to find the back of the net in any game.
“We haven’t played well in recent weeks but have been able to come up with the right result,” said manager Steve Richards.
“Unfortunately this didn’t happen for us even though we upped our game to the one we played last week. We had plenty of chances to get a goal or two but it was a day which didn’t go for us.” It was Bottesford who broke the deadlock just before the half hour with his fifth goal of the season. This was just reward for all their hard work and deserved the lead they took into the half-time interval.
The second half saw both Jamie Barnwell and Paul Palmer causing problems without finding the net. Both goalkeepers, especially Rangers Steve Wilson, were kept busy.
Town took the game away from Rangers on 70 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. It came when Shaun Baker upended Jackman in the area and Paul Chatterton beat Wilson with the spot kick.

29/09/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 2 SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC 0
NCEL

Hall Road Rangers continued their unbeaten start to the league campaign with a 2-0 home win over Scarborough Athletic.
A crowd of over 400, mainly travelling and decidedly vocal fans, watch a game in which the visitors had the lions share of possession but failed to capitalise.
Rangers manager Steve Richards, a former Scarborough player himself, was delighted with the win
However he knew his side had, for long periods been under the cosh and didn’t play well.
“We are in the results game so we have to be happy with that win but personally I didn’t think we got going today,” admitted Richards.
“The good thing was, although we played poorly, we still won the game and kept a clean sheet. There will be times in the season when we play well but don’t get the win as Scarborough did today.”
Rangers took the lead, against the run of play in the 25th minute when the referee awarded a penalty. He adjudged Jamie Barnwell had been brought down by keeper David Bramley.
The forward had nudged the ball past him and was headed goalwards, only for it to be cleared off the line by defender Craig Evans. The majority of those watching were scratching their heads in amazement as the penalty award was given.
Leading marksmen Paul Palmer took responsibility for the spot kick and calmly thumped the ball home for his thirteenth goal of the season.
Scarborough had their best chance to level ten minutes before the break when Mark Griffin beat keeper Steve Wilson to a long clearance from the Athletics defence but Paul Farley cleared off the line.
Shortly after the re-start Scarborough again thought they had equalized through a James Hogg header from a corner on the left. But again the Rangers defence were alert and cleared off the line with Wilson beaten.
Barnwell should have sealed the win when a mix up in the Athletics defence gifted him the ball. But with only the keeper to beat he failed to control it and saw it run harmlessly to the grateful Bramley.
With just four minutes left the game was all but over when Palmer crossed from the right. Barnwell’s little flick over found its way to Dave Ingram who powered his shot into the far corner leaving the keeper with no chance.

22/09/07
MARSKE UNITED 4 HALL ROAD RANGERS 2 AET
FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

As they had the previous week in the FA Cup Hall Road Rangers went down to defeat.
This time it was another team from the North East in Marske United in the FA Vase.
It was a defeat for Steve Richards’ side which the manager didn’t feel his side has deserved.
They had clawed their way back from 2-0 down to level the game and take it into extra time. It was then a controversial ‘Geoff Hurst crossbar’ goal which saw them go behind again.
“The final score does not do us justice at all after we had dragged ourselves back into the game,” said Richards.
“The goal which came down off the crossbar was dubious to say the least and it killed us off. They scored another and it was an unfair end to the commitment of the players out there today.
“We had a hatful of chances to win this game but it wasn’t to be for us today. There are games which go with you and other which don’t and today wasn’t our day.
”With just eight minutes gone the home side hit the front when a lofted clearance fell for David Onion. The leading scorer took the ball to the area and rounded Steve Wilson for 1-0.
It was a lead which was doubled on 22 minutes when he rose again to beat Wilson in the air for 2-0. This was how it stayed until half-time and then Rangers showed their mettle.
The breakthrough for Rangers came on 49 minutes when Jamie Barnwell weaved his way through the Marske defence to slot the ball home. This had the home side rocking and Barnwell equalised for the visitors soon after.
On 53 minutes he combined well with his strike partner Paul Palmer to the edge of the box. This time he fired into the Marske net to give his side a fighting chance.
In the first period of extra time Rob Hill thundered a 25 yard shot onto the crossbar. It bounced down and the assistant referee signalled a goal much to the disbelief of the Hall Road bench.
The second period of extra time saw Hall Road fight tooth and nail to try and gain something from this game. It was then Marske made the game safe when Benn Thompson blasted the ball past a helpless Wilson.

15/09/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 2 BILLINGHAM TOWN 3
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

A second half goal from substitute Steve Flockett proved enough to win this FA Cup Qualifying Round at Dene Park on Saturday, but the premiership team from the North East were made to work hard for their victory.
Despite the defeat, Rangers Manager Steve Richards was more disappointed with the manner of the defeat rather than the defeat itself as he said after the game: “That was possibly our worst performance of the season so far, we defended poorly today and gave away soft goals, we got back into the game and levelled it up at 2-2 and I really did think that we would push on and win the game, but within two minutes we were behind again.
“But you have to give Town a bit of credit, I thought on the day that they were a little better than us, on another day the tables might have been reversed and we could have won, but that’s cup football and you only get one chance.”
The visitors, who put six past their opponents in the last round began the game at a high tempo and Steve Wilson in the Rangers goal was in action within the first minute when he had to punch clear a cross field ball from the left and his clearance found Nathan Jameson on the edge of the Rangers area, but his first-time snatch shot whistled just wide of the upright.
Rangers soon settled and on their first attack they had the Billingham defence wrong footed but the assistant referee had spotted a dubious offside, and the danger was averted.
However it wasn’t long before the home fans were celebrating the goal which the game had been promising, although it was an attack on the Rangers goal which eventually gave the home side the lead, a neatly chipped cross from Anthony Chapman needed a touch from Wilson to tip it over his crossbar, from the resulting corner a long clearance upfield forced a mistake in the Billingham defence and Jamie Barnwell picked up the loose ball, and although he still had a lot to do managed to slot it past the advancing Darren Collier in the visitors goal and find the bottom corner of the net.
Going a goal behind only seemed to spur the visitors on, and encouraged by a small, but very vocal set of supporters, they were again soon challenging for the equalizer, with the bulk of the attacks being led by the ever willing Nathan Jameson and James MaGowan, who presented Rangers defence with problems throughout the match.
John McKie came close to levelling the score but his powerful header from a free kick flew inches over Wilson’s crossbar and two minutes later the visiting support were incensed when the Referee played an advantage instead of awarding a free kick on the edge of the Rangers area for a foul on Jameson, but the ball had fallen kindly to Chapman on the left and his cross evaded Wilson and James MaGowan was on hand at the far post to head home.
With chances at both ends, Billingham could have take the lead just after the half hour mark through McKie, but his low drive through a crowd of players went just wide of the left hand post.
The game was halted for three minutes when a clash of heads with MaGowan left Rangers Mike Gibson prostrate on the ground both players received treatment and Rangers ended the half going forward but failed to make their pressure count.
After the restart Rangers again looked the more threatening and Paul Palmer was put through by a lovely weighted pass from Barnwell, but the striker screwed his first time effort harmlessly wide.
In the fifty first minute a hurried clearance from the Billington defence was flicked on by the head of MaGowan into the path of substitute Steve Flockett, on for the injured Chapman and only a last ditch tackle from Mike Gibson in the Rangers Defence prevented a shot at goal, from the resulting corner Wilson was called on to make a fine save, diving full length to his left to hold onto an headed effort from MaGowan.
Five minutes later and the Billingham pressure finally paid dividends after some good neat footwork from Jameson saw him ghost past two defender into the box, his goal-bound effort took a wicked deflection in the crowded area and the ball spun high to the far post where MaGowan had the easiest job of just nodding it home from close range for his second of the match.
The hard working Paul Palmer levelled the game with a powerful shot on the angle which Collier had no chance of stopping, but two minutes later the visitors had regained their one goal lead with a close range effort from Flockett which Wilson got good hands too, but just failed to keep out.,br> With time running out Rangers continued to go forward but despite all their efforts failed to gain the equalizer, which, on the balance of play they probably didn’t deserve.

08/09/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 2 YORKSHIRE AMATEUR 0
FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round

Even by not playing particularly well Hall Road Rangers eased their way into the next round of the FA Vase with a 2-0 win over Yorkshire Amateur.
They had enough possession to really take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Yet it was one of those occasion were they were they were not firing on all cylinders but still came up with the right result.
“Last week in the FA Cup we didn’t play well and won 1 – 0, and today I don’t think we played particularly well and still won 2 – 0,” admitted manager Steve Richards.
“We took an early lead through a good build-up and then seemed to eases off the pressure. In all seven games we have played this season we’ve played at a really high tempo.
“But for some reason today we took our foot of the gas and let them back into it. At half time instead of it being two or three nil we went in with only the single goal lead and in the second half it gave them a little impetus.
“Also in the second half we didn’t pass the ball well and didn’t create as many chances. I’ve just told the lads we can’t win every game five or six nil and sometimes we have to grind out results.”
The thing is good teams score goals and don’t concede them and this is the Rangers mentality at the moment. But the 2-0 score failed to show the total dominance from the home side.
Such was Rangers territorial advantage goalkeeper Steve Wilson wasn’t called into action until the 72nd minute to make a serious save. It was a long range effort with Amateur were allowed but he took it with ease.
He showed his great skill eight minutes later when he kept out a penalty after Sean Baker had been deemed to have handled in the area. It kept Rangers 1-0 in front which they had been since the 13th minute.
Paul John Graham had put into his own net after a Tom Love cross ricocheted off him into the bottom corner. But, as much as Rangers tried they failed to turn pressure into goals.
Once again Paul Palmer and Jamie Barnwell were impressive up front with Barnwell a particular threat. However when Luke Moulds was felled in the area there was only one man taking the penalty.
Palmer took the ball, placed it on the spot and he despatched it into the bottom corner. It brought him his eleventh goal of the season and a trip to Marske United in the next round.

01/09/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 1 CROOK TOWN 0
FA Cup Sponsored by Eon Premiminary Round

Hall Road Rangers battled through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup at Dene Park on Saturday despite never displaying the recent form that has resulted in six wins out of six this season.
With manager Steve Richards and assistant manager Andy Foster both unavailable, Jamie Barnwell took over at 3 hours notice and he was quietly satisfied with the result: “We were well organised and after being a bit flat at the start, we found our tempo. We had two good banks of four, kept possession and restricted our opponents’ chances. Young Tom Brennan was outstanding in midfield and Paul Palmer again worked hard and scored his tenth goal of the season”.
Crook Town dominated the opening 20 minutes and brought three fine saves from Rangers keeper Steve Wilson who was in total command of his area.
Rangers gradually settled down and showed Crook how to finish when the prolific Paul Palmer met Martin Thacker’s free-kick and sent a low header past East on 29 minutes.
Wilson then made a superb save low to his left and when he was eventually beaten, Sean Baker prevented a certain goal with a powerful goal line clearance.
On the stroke of half-time, another outstanding save from Wilson kept out a close range Dinsley header.
Mark Dale replaced Tom Love at the break with Love suffering concussion and after Johnson missed a great chance to equalise by shooting wide from four yards, Crook became rattled and Bellew and Morgan were both booked.
Paul Palmer shaved the post on 60 minutes and Jamie Barnwell crashed the ball just inches over the bar after great work by Martin Thacker.
Luke Moulds and Chris Hudson had come on for Tom Brennan and Callum Dransfield and Crook launched a final onslaught. However, marshalled by the inspirational Jamie Barnwell, Rangers hung on resolutely for a brave victory which will see them now into the 1st qualifying round of the FA Cup.

TEAMS:
Hall Road Rangers:
Steve Wilson, Tom Brennan, Paul Farley, Sean Baker, Mark Dale, Dave Ingram, Tom Love, Martin Thacker, Paul Palmer, Jamie Barnwell, Callum Dransfield. Subs: Mark Dale, Chris Hudson, Luke Moulds, Matty Spencer, Charlie Holden.
Goals: Palmer (29)

Crook Town:
Matthew East, Andrew Bellew, Andrew Morgan,Chris Becket, Paul Castledene, Lee Johnson, Stephen Houlahan, Paul Sammons, Paul Wilson, Kristian Dinsley, Matthew Coad. Subs: Stephen McPartland, Craig Thorn, Christoph Geogius.
Goals: None

Referee: J Hermuzi
Attendance: 97

25/08/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 4 BORROWASH VICTORIA 2
NCEL

Hall Road beat Borrowash for the second time in four days at Dene Park with twin the twin strike force of Paul Palmer and Jamie Barnwell in blistering form.
They scored two each as Rangers remain in second place in the Northern Counties East League First Division. It was a game in which manager Steve Richards was very pleased with all aspects of the game.
“We were not at our best on Wednesday night against the same opposition but still managed to get a result,” said Richards .
“Today we looked a lot more comfortable and were able to pass the ball around very well. I am a little concerned about conceding two goals but this is something we can work on.
“Jamie Barnwell and Paul Palmer up front have established a good partnership with five and nine goals respectively in five matches. Today’s result keeps us in the top two which is where we aim to be at the end of the season”.
Shaun Baker returned in defence, but Rangers were rocked inside the first five minutes. A neat passing movement gave Tom Leighton the chance to shoot the visitors ahead.
It was a lead which lasted just eight minutes as Rangers hit back to equalise through Barnwell. He stooped to meet a precise Martin Thacker free-kick and brilliantly steered a low header into the back of the net.
The home side took the lead on 16 minutes through a Palmer penalty after James De Reus tripped Barnwell in the penalty area. Palmer smashed his kick past Wayne Smith to give Rangers the lead.
Down at the other end Rangers keeper Steve Wilson was called into action to make a superb double save to foil the opposition. Then Barnwell almost increased the lead when he broke clear but steered his shot past the post.
Ten minutes after halftime a mistake by Smith in the Borrowash goal led to Barnwell pouncing to make it 3-1. Barnwell then turned provider eight minutes later as Rangers increased their lead even further.
Smith tried to head away a back pass only for the alert Barnwell to send a shot on goal. It was scrambled away only for Palmer to rifle the ball high into the Borrowash net.
Even though Borrowash scored another with 15 minutes to go Rangers were always in command. They could have also increased the final score line late in the game through Tom Love and the exquisite Palmer.

TEAMS:
Hall Road Rangers:
Steve Wilson, Tom Brennan, Paul Farley, Sean Baker, Mark Dale, Dave Ingram, Adam Walker, Martin Thacker, Paul Palmer, Jamie Barnwell, Leon Rudd. Subs: Callum Dransfield (75 mins), Tom Love (67 mins), Matty Spencer.
Goals: Palmer (16, 63), Barnwell (13, 55)

Borrowash Victoria:
Wayne Smith, Tom Land, Phil Summerfield, Karl Reynolds, James De Reus, Wayne Thornhill, Jamie Pawley, Sukkjit Heer, Tom Leighton, Sean Staton, John Guy; SUBS: James Moran, David Leigh, Daniel Cox.
Goals: Leighton (5), Guy (65)

Referee:
Attendance: 48

22/08/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 2 BORROWASH VICTORIA 2 (AET Hall Road Won 4-2 on Pens)
Wilkinson Sword Trophy 2nd Round

Hall Road got through to the last eight of the Wilkinson Sword Trophy after a hard fought match against Borrowash Victoria at Dene Park on Wednesday night.
“ We made hard work of it,” commented manager Steve Richards after the game. “This was a below par performance just like the previous round. We could have won comfortably if we had taken our chances”.
In a strong wind, Rangers were the first to settle and dominated the opening half.
Jamie Barnwell and the prolific Paul Palmer ripped the defence apart with Barnwell being thwarted on at least three occasions by last-ditch tackles and good goalkeeping.
At the other end, Steve Wilson dealt easily with a rare Borrowash shot and Hogan was booked for a foul tackle on Paul Farley.
Palmer scored from close range on 44 minutes to make it 1-0 at the interval.
Borrowash looked more dangerous after the break but were let down by poor finishing.
Rangers might have had a penalty when a visiting defender appeared to handle in the box but the officials took no action.
Leon Rudd and Callum Dransfield replaced Tom Love and Adam Walker after 65 minutes and following a fine passing movement with Palmer, Rudd brought a good save from Smith.
Matty Spencer replaced Tom Brennan but Guy equalised seven minutes from time with a superb left foot drive.
Steve Wilson saved well from Leigh to keep the scores level.
In the first period of extra time, Thacker and Palmer brilliantly set up a chance for Barnwell to head a fine goal, but on 115 minutes, Mike Gibson conceded a penalty which Guy drove past Wilson.
In the penalty shoot-out, Palmer, Farley and Barnwell coolly made it 3-2 to Rangers after four kicks and Matty Spencer confidently smashed home his kick to ensure victory.

TEAMS:
Hall Road Rangers:
Steve Wilson, Tom Brennan, Paul Farley, Mike Gibson, Mark Dale, Dave Ingram, Adam Walker, Martin Thacker, Paul Palmer, Jamie Barnwell, Tom Love. Subs: Callum Dransfield (65 mins), Leon Rudd (65 mins), Matty Spencer (70 mins).
Goals: Palmer (44), Barnwell (98)

Borrowash Victoria:
Smith, Land, Banks, Reynolds, De Reus, Leigh, Staton, Thornhill, Leighton, Hogan, Thompson, Subs: Guy, Summerfield, Moran.
Goals: Guy (83, 115)

Referee: J Hyke
Attendance: 43

18/08/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 6 TADCASTER ALBION 1
FA Cup Sponsored by Eon Extra Premiminary Round

Hall Road Rangers stormed into the Preliminary Round of this season’s Eon sponsored FA Cup with a six of the best performance against Tadcaster Albion.
Striker Paul Palmer showed just why Rangers have signed him this season as he led the way with a hat-trick of goals. This takes his early season tally to six in three games.
Rangers never looked back after Jamie Barnwell slotted home a second minute goal to set them on their way. It was, in the opinion of Steve Richards , the best performance his side have put since he came to the club last season.
“This was by far the best performance by the side in my time at Hall Road Rangers,” said manager Richards.
“From start to finish the lads were excellent and it shows the new signings can give us. Add to this the players already in the team from last season and it’s a real feel good factor.
“However we must keep our feet firmly on the ground and make sure we keep the winning factor going. It can lead us to good runs in the cup s and league and football is all about winning matches.”
The crowd had barely got seated when Dave Ingram took the ball down the left to cross it. Barnwell was handily placed to power the ball past Tom Ryder for 1-0.
Tadcaster had their first real chance on seven minutes but a shot from Christian Derrick went wide. Rangers then turned defence into attack to make it 2-0.
From a corner Barnwell headed the ball clear for Palmer to race clear of the Albion defence. Martin Thacker, who was magnificent in midfield, slotted through a superb ball for Palmer to ride the full back’s challenge and beat Ryder.
Rangers continued to pressure and the third goal was inevitable due to the pressure provided. It again came from the deadly Barnwell/Palmer combination as Barnwell crossed and Palmer hit the back of the net.
Albion replied catching Rangers cold just after the restart to pull a goal back and reduce the deficit to 3-1. They found space down the right for Dave Watson’s cross to see Danny Gray rise to beat Steve Wilson.
But three minutes later normal service was resumed when a Thacker corner led to the fourth goal. It was low and hard and was sweetly volleyed into the net by Ingram.
Nine minutes after the restart Rangers could have conceded another goal had Leon Rudd’s acrobatic clearance off the line not been more timely. Then down the other end came goal number five.
Paul Farley and Barnwell combined for Palmer to race clear only to see his shot hit the post. But Adam Walker followed up to thunder the rebound into the top corner.
The remainder of the half saw Rangers knowing they were through and Albion wanting the game to end. It did with Palmer’s third when Thacker again played the ball through to the striker.
Rangers will now play the winners of Crook Town or Sunderland RCA who drew 2-2 in their game. The game will be played on Saturday 1st September at Dene Park.

TEAMS:
Hall Road Rangers:
Steve Wilson, Tom Brennan, Paul Farley, Mike Gibson, Mark Dale, Dave Ingram, Adam Walker, Martin Thacker, Paul Palmer, Jamie Barnwell, Leon Rudd Subs: Charlie Holden, Callum Dransfield, Tom Love, Matty Spencer, Rob Petch
Goals: Palmer (25, 38, 87) Barnwell (2) Walker (54) Ingram (42)

Tadcaster Albion:
Tom Ryder, Steve Coates, Matt Cressey, Pete Vasey, Danny Pitts, Mark Willoughby, Dave Watson, Steve Jones, Danny Gray, Guisseppe Dowing, Christian Derrick Subs: Mike Ciss, Phil Biscombe, Rob Ellis, Matt Howgate, Ashley Hill
Goal: Gray (39)

Referee: Andrew Wood
Attendance: 55

15/08/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 3 WORSBROUGH BRIDGE 2 (AET)
Wilkinson Sword Trophy 1st Round

A Rob Petch goal in the first minute of the second period of extra time sent Hall Road Rangers into the last 16 of this season’s Wilkinson Sword Cup at the expense of Worsbrough Bridge.
The substitute got on the end of a Paul Palmer cross to strike the ball home from close range. This was the first time Rangers had led in the game having trailed 2-0 early on in the first half.
It was a disappointed manager Steve Richards who after the game thought the game was a disappointment after the great 4-0 win over Barton Town last Saturday.
“I was disappointed in the way we played especially on the back of how well we did last Saturday,” said Richards.
“We went 2-0 down and it was to the only two shots they had on target in the first half. But all credit to the lads they pitched in well and eventually got on top and went on to win the game.
“We could have done without having to play extra time ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup game with Tadcaster but it’s all about winning games which we eventually did.
“The continuity of the not having a settled side doesn’t help but this is something you have to deal with. I know the lads are disappointed with their performance out there tonight but we won and it’s all about winning games.”
Bridge started the better and at times had the Rangers defence working overtime. Steve Wilson was the busier of the two keepers early on but had no chance with the opening goal.
With 12 minutes gone Chris Boreham took a shot for Bridge from what was all of 30 yards. It dipped over the fully stretched Wilson into the top corner for 1-0.
Rangers continued to stumble in the opening period of the game and poor defending led to them going two behind. This time it was Kelvin Ryan who pounced to score on 25 minutes.
Rangers finally got into their stride maybe with the deficit being a wake up call for them. They forced a corner on the right and from it came their first goal.
Martin Thacker played a low ball to the edge of the area were Matty Spencer lobbed the keeper. Spencer then hit another shot a few minutes later which bounced off the crossbar.
It wasn’t until the 66th minute Rangers got back on level terms through poacher Paul Palmer. The striker scrambled home his third of the season again from a Thacker corner won by the impressive Jamie Barnwell.
Heavy rain then began to fall and it seemed to suit the home side more than the visitors. Thacker had a couple of shots on target but they were easily dealt with by Bridge keeper Andrew Brooke.
Then with the first half of extra time goalless and before Brooke had time to settle for the second half he was picking the ball out his net. Palmer crossed for substitute Rob Petch to put in the winner.

TEAMS:
Hall Road Rangers:
Steve Wilson, Luke Moulds, Paul Farley, Mike Gibson, Matty Spencer, Dave Ingram, Adam Walker, Martin Thacker, Paul Palmer, Jamie Barnwell, Oliver Woodward Subs: Tom Brennan, Rob Petch, Dave Joyce
Goals: Spencer (35) Palmer (66) Petch (106)

Worsbrough Bridge:
Andrew Brooke, Alex Gillespie, James Burkinshaw, Chris Boreham, Peter Hirst, Richard Adams, Lee Poskitt, Craig Hitchen, Richard Elson, Kelvin Ryan, Ryan Poskitt Subs: Ryan Pleasants, Warren Jackson, Liam McFadyen
Goals: Boreham (12) Ryan(25)

Referee: Simon Hunter
Attendance: 67

11/08/07
HALL ROAD RANGERS 4 BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS 0
NCEL

Hall Road Rangers turned in a convincing performance to overcome a below par Barton Town in the opening game of the season at Dene Park on Saturday.
Summer signing Paul Palmer led the way with a brace of goals for Rangers on his league debut. It was a performance which pleased Rangers manager Steve Richards ahead of the long season.
“It was nice to get this game out of the way, the first match of the season and you never know what performance you’re going to get,” he said.
“I thought we played very well and we weren’t flattered by the score line and I’m delighted with the way we played. Paul Palmer got two goals and you can’t ask for much more than that.
“To be fair he could have had a hat-trick which would have been nice for him as we brought him in to score the goals. He managed that with two good finishes, he’s a quality player and a 25 goal a season man and that’s the aim we have got for him.
“With seven of our first game at home we have got to make this place a bit of a fortress, we’ve had a good win today and now we have to build on it”.
Newly promoted Barton were rarely in this game and despite one or two individually good performances, notably from Craig Burdick and Nathan White the visitors showed little going forward.
They were reduced to a few long range shots which never troubled the Rangers goal, and defensively were hurried into making long ball clearances. But had Rangers been more clinical with their finishing in the early stages then the score line may well have been much higher.
In the opening quarter a defensive error by Barton’s Paul Sykes gifted the ball back to Leon Rudd, but the Rangers Striker scuffed his shot and the ball ran harmlessly to Tom Nicholson in the Barton goal.
Then just minutes later a neat interchange of passes down the left again had the visiting defence panicking. But once again poor finishing by the Rangers forwards kept the scores level.
Just after the half hour mark Barton put together their best move of the match when the hard working Burdick played some close range passing with Will Mail. It resulted in Burdick sending in an inch perfect cross from the by-line which the Rangers defence were happy to scramble out of play, but the resulting
corner came to nothing. On 38 minutes Rangers got the goal their efforts deserved, although it was gifted to them by a poor keeping error. Nicholson failed to deal with a headed back pass from Steve Barrett, and Jamie Barnwell raced onto the loose ball to side-foot home.
Barton made a change at the break with Matthew McKay replacing Mail, but he hadn’t touched the ball before Rangers had increased their lead. Within a minute of the re-start a long looping through ball found its way over the Barton defence and Palmer won the race. He neatly lobbed the out-rushing keeper from the edge of the box to nestle the ball into the top corner, it was a goal the striker richly deserved for his hard running throughout the match.
Less than ten minutes later Palmer was celebrating again, this time netting from close range after some good work on the left from Barnwell. The score line didn’t flatter the home team who continued to press forward and dominate a game they were always in control off.
Rangers looked to have further increased their lead, when a corner kick eluded the Barton defence and the ball was bundled home at the far post, only for the referee to judge it offside, although Barton appeared to have a man on each post.
Mid-way through the half Barnwell was replaced by Chris Hudson as the heat began to take effect on several players.
Martin Thacker received a booking for dissent and with only six minutes remaining as Hudson capped off a fine performance by getting to a Sean Baker cross to out jump Nicholson and head home the fourth.

TEAMS:
Hall Road Rangers:
Steve Wilson, Luke Moulds, Paul Farley, Mike Gibson, Sean Baker, Dave Ingram, Adam Walker, Martin Thacker, Paul Palmer, Jamie Barnwell, Leon Rudd, (SUBS) Chris Hudson, Oliver Woodward, Matt Spencer, Steve Dixon.

Barton Old Boys:
Tom Nicholson, Paul Sykes, Sam Sharman, Craig Suddaby, Steve Barrett, Nathan White, Craig Burdick, Tom Lee, Gareth Barlow, Gary Dickinson, Will Mail. (SUBS) John Parkinson, Stuart Lacey, Matty McKay.