Menston Rangers are off to a flyer against Falcons

A superb second-half comeback saw Menston Rangers earn a victory in their first game in the Harrogate and Distict League Division Two.

Although both teams had been promoted at the end of last season, Thirsk finished 18 points ahead of Menston, dropping only ten points in winning the Third Division, and the second of their defeats came after they had secured the championship.

Understandably, Thirsk are expected to again be a leading side this year, although for Saturday's game they had lost three players to their all conquering first team.

The early part of the game was evenly contested, although Menston slowly started to take charge playing down the slope. Gez Haughian and nephew James up front were causing problems, although nothing seemed to fall to create a chance. Similarly the Menston back line, well marshalled by teenager Jamie Simms, repelled anything Thirsk created.

It took some time before the first meaningful effort on goal, Thirsk's 'keeper kicking away James Haughian's shot. A flick on found last season's leading scorer, Scott Warbrick, but he badly scuffed his shot.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Thirsk took the lead well into the first-half. The Menston back four were caught playing the ball between themselves and goalkeeper Simon Wintle was given little chance by a calm finish.

Thirsk now enjoyed their best spell of the game. Menston's Mark George was struggling after coming off second best in a tackle, and he was beaten in the air from a free-kick.

The powerful header slipped through Wintle's hands to give Thirsk a 2-0 half-time lead.

Menston started the second-half looking somewhat dispirited. Mark George finally left the field, prompting a re-shuffle in the Menston side, and Richard Wintle also replaced Scott Warbrick who was struggling with a tight hamstring.

Menston came back into the game when Simms broke up the Thirsk attack on the halfway line and released Julian Senior down the left. Senior surged on and drew the 'keeper before flicking the ball home with the outside of his right foot to give Menston a lifeline.

Soon after Menston equalised when Gez Haughian turned in a shot from James Haughian.

Menston were now visibly lifted whereas Thirsk were dejected, in strange contrast to their mental state in last year's encounters when Rangers tried to turn the screw.

Menston pressed the ball all over the pitch. Harry Bond and Craig Wood gave up on marking their men, preferring to position themselves where they could pick off the visitors' attacks. Gez Haughian and Richard Wintle applied some real pressure down the Menston left culminating in Haughian charging down a clearance which fell kindly for James Haughian to knock in a debut goal.

As Thirsk sought to draw level Julian Senior broke down the left before playing the ball to substitute Richard Wintle who picked his spot well to add a fourth. Shortly afterwards Wintle was denied a second by the keeper's legs and James Haughian shot wide with his left foot.

With time running out Thirsk threw more men forward but the Menston defence held firm with goalkeeper Wintle making amends for his earlier error with a series of confident claims. Thirsk's cause was not helped as a couple of their players picked up knocks late on.

Despite their good pre season results this win was a real confidence boost for Menston ahead of Tuesday night's match against Horsforth St Margaret's Reserves.

It is to be hoped that Thirsk regain their confidence before their match on Thursday against Catterick, who are Saturday's visitors to Queensway to play Menston.

Menston Rangers information is available on the club's website at www.menstonrangers.co.uk