THE GREAT Notley Rams suffered a second defeat on the bounce when they went down by the odd goal in five to Wilvale Rangers on Notley Green on Sunday.
The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defence from Matthew Norris, Tom Hunt and Emma Root, midfield from Olivia Hales, Matthew Littlejohn and James O'Reilly, while Sam Donnelly, George Morris and Ben Rodley made up the strikers.
Going into this game with a four point cushion ahead of the Rangers in the league, the Rams started the half quite slowly, and went behind to a well-taken free kick by the Rangers centre forward.
However Morris tucked home an equaliser half way through the half and it looked as though the home side had finally got going.
However two Rangers goals in quick succesion, first a high long shot which crept under the bar, and the second a nice piece of opportunism almost directly from the subsequent kick off led to the Rams trailing going into half time.
The second half was a lot more balanced, and towards the end of the game, the Rams were probably shading it, but some fine defending from the Rangers kept them out. The home side's second goal game from the boot of Tom Hunt, who hit a twenty yard effort into the top of the net, but with just minutes to go the Rams finally ran out of time.
Rams boss John Stoneman said: "Two defeats on the bounce is definitely not part of the master plan! However we've come up against strong sides in the last two weeks and it's clear the team have given their best.
"We need to make sure that we start games more strongly than we have been recently, and when we have possession around the opposition box, and a bit of time, make sure we are not snatching at our shots."
Next week the Rams are in league cup action against the Galleywood Youth Falcons.
The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defence from Matthew Norris, Tom Hunt and Emma Root, midfield from Olivia Hales, Matthew Littlejohn and James O'Reilly, while Sam Donnelly, George Morris and Ben Rodley made up the strikers.
Going into this game with a four point cushion ahead of the Rangers in the league, the Rams started the half quite slowly, and went behind to a well-taken free kick by the Rangers centre forward.
However Morris tucked home an equaliser half way through the half and it looked as though the home side had finally got going.
However two Rangers goals in quick succesion, first a high long shot which crept under the bar, and the second a nice piece of opportunism almost directly from the subsequent kick off led to the Rams trailing going into half time.
The second half was a lot more balanced, and towards the end of the game, the Rams were probably shading it, but some fine defending from the Rangers kept them out. The home side's second goal game from the boot of Tom Hunt, who hit a twenty yard effort into the top of the net, but with just minutes to go the Rams finally ran out of time.
Rams boss John Stoneman said: "Two defeats on the bounce is definitely not part of the master plan! However we've come up against strong sides in the last two weeks and it's clear the team have given their best.
"We need to make sure that we start games more strongly than we have been recently, and when we have possession around the opposition box, and a bit of time, make sure we are not snatching at our shots."
Next week the Rams are in league cup action against the Galleywood Youth Falcons.
