Rangers Slip to First Defeat of the Season

Polytech Grenoble 3 Rumford Rangers 2

Despite coming back from a goal down, twice, Rumford Rangers dropped what could be three crucial points to title rivals Polytech Grenoble in this epic encounter between two of the pre-season favourites for the SFA Social Premiership.

The first 25 minutes of the game were a forgettable affair with little action of note, however the game kicked into life in the 28th minute when Granero put Grenoble 1-0 up following a quickly taken freekick by Hernandez. Rangers' did not have to wait long for a chance to draw level, Ziani wasting a clear cut chance with only the 'keeper to beat, moments later they were level though; Kallon drilling the ball past Luis Martinez in the 37th minute.

Grenoble began the second half as they ended the first; heaping pressure upon the Rangers' defense, ironically their breakthrough came as a result of a rare Rangers' attack. With Rangers over-committed for a corner kick Granero won the ball in his own penalty area and launched it upfield to Valbuena who, after beating Hugo to the ball, expertly lobbed the oncoming 'keeper from 25 yards out in a textbook counter-attack.

At 2-1 down, Rangers' stepped up a gear and their excellent play was rewarded in the 77th minute when the ball fell to Kanoute on the far post from a Ziani corner. The Malian, on loan from Relleu Gooners, only had to poke the ball across the line. The deciding goal in the game came only 2 minutes later when Hernandez's shot from distance took a wicked deflection off Rangers' midfielder Faty to leave 'keeper Stuart Taylor no chance and give Grenoble the lead for the third time in the match.

To round off a disappointing match for Rangers, Mitreski was sent off in the 89th minute for a second bookable offense.