Damage in the Box!: ELLESMERE RANGERS (Beech Grove)

With most of the leagues now at an end, it was a struggle to find a game that actually had something riding on it. However there was one game that stood out like a beacon...this one! At the start of play, Ellesmere Rangers were top of the table in the West Midlands Regional League and the task was, ahem, very simple...win today and they would be crowned champions. Lose or draw and they could be caught by Bloxwich, depending on their result.

This caught the imagination of the locals and around 300 crammed into the (basic) Beech Grove ground to see if Rangers could do it. The opponents today were AFC Wulfrunians, who regardless of today's outcome, were going to finish third in the final table.

The game could not have got off to a better start for the Homesters when Dan Barton gave them the lead after just 5 minutes, courtesy of a penalty kick. After that they became very nervous and gradually Wulfrunians got themselves back into the game. It was no surprise when they drew level, Richard Anslow scoring after 32 minutes. At the interval Rangers title dreams were hanging by a thread, especially as Bloxwich were winning 2-0.

The second half was very cagey as Ellesmere tried to break down the stubborn resistance of the Wulfrunians, who clearly intended to play the role of party poopers. Chances were at a premium and it looked as it Rangers were going to fall at the final hurdle. With just 15 minutes remaining, Rangers got a throw in on the left and the ball was hurled Delap-esque in the penalty area and Gary Meredith rose highest to head home what proved to be the winning goal. This sealed the championship for Rangers and at the end of the game it was the cue for mass celebrations. This means next season Ellesmere Rangers will be playing in the Midland Alliance, step 5 of the English pyramid.