Southampton Rangers 1 Ireland Rangers 1

Southampton Rangers were reduced to eight men against Ireland Rangers in a bad-tempered game at Malabar Field yesterday.

Goalkeeper Ajai Daniels, Rai Sampson and Darius Cox were all dismissed in the second half.

Daniels was sent off for dissent, Cox for handball and Sampson for unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Southampton controlled play throughout the first half, moving the ball at will. However, they lacked a cutting edge, missing a plethora of opportunities.

Chances went begging for Southampton as Jarazinho Bassett and Koshun Durrant both missed from close range. Quadir Maynard sent Bassett through on goal but he failed to round Ireland Rangers goalkeeper T’Jay Brangman.

Southampton continued applying pressure as chances for the Ireland Rangers were few and far between.

It was Southampton who drew first blood in the 50th minute when Aquino Grant eluded his defender and lofted a pass over the defence, which Bassett tracked down before drilling hard and low past the goalkeeper.

Ireland Rangers started finding their stride and began launching their own attacks.

They were rewarded with a penalty in the 60th minute. Sekai Proctor stepped up but his effort was well saved by Southampton Rangers goalkeeper Ajai Daniels.

Ireland Rangers upped their pressure, getting more creative. Southampton’s defence were exposed in the 86th minute when Ireland Rangers were rewarded their second penalty after penetrating Southampton’s back line.

Substitute Daunte Woods calmly slotted the ball home, sending the goalkeeper in the opposite direction to level the score.

TEAMS

Southampton Rangers (4-3-3): A Daniels — R Sampson, D Cox, K Harrison, M Tankard — Q Maynard, I Taylor, E Stoneham (sub: A Butterfield, 84min) — K Durrant (sub: L Simons, 68), J Bassett, A Grant (sub: C Henry, 63). Substitutes not used: D Hill, D Steede, N Mello. Sent off: Sampson, Cox, Daniels

Ireland Rangers (4-3-3): T Brangman — R Gomes, M Simmons, J Hayward, J Bean — J Outerbridge, S Proctor, Ray Smith (sub: J Powell, 71) — Roq Smith, T Wilson (sub: D Woods, 5) S Gomes (sub: R Burgess, 75). Substitutes not used: W Hill, R Seaman, R Richardson, K Simmons. Booked: Hayward, Gomes

Referee: L Christopher