Cardiff Rangers 2 vs 1 Manchester Rangers

Cardiff Rangers hosted Manchester Rangers at Longsight on 29 September 2025, with kick-off at 2:00pm, in a closely contested 5-a-side friendly match that ended 2-1 in favour of the home side after 90 minutes of play. The encounter was officiated by referee Kyle Mann and featured a compact 1-3 formation from Cardiff Rangers, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking support.

Cardiff Rangers lined up in a 1-3 formation, typical for 5-a-side matches, with one goalkeeper and three outfield players covering defensive, central, and attacking roles. The goalkeeper’s primary responsibility was to marshal the defence and initiate quick transitions. The three outfield players were expected to rotate fluidly between defensive duties and offensive support, maintaining tight positional discipline while exploiting spaces to create scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, no details on individual player names or substitutes were provided for this fixture.

The first half saw both sides probing cautiously, with Cardiff Rangers aiming to control possession and Manchester Rangers looking to exploit counter-attacks. Despite the intensity, no goals were scored before the half-time whistle at the 45th minute, signalling a goalless interval. The match remained finely balanced, with neither side able to break the deadlock in the opening period.

In the second half, Cardiff Rangers found their rhythm and managed to convert their chances, scoring twice to take the lead. Manchester Rangers responded with a goal of their own, because of a penalty, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit. The home side’s tactical discipline and effective use of their 1-3 formation ultimately secured them a narrow victory in this competitive friendly encounter.

With no substitutions recorded, the starting line-up maintained their intensity throughout the match, demonstrating resilience and teamwork. The referee, Kyle Mann, managed the game well, allowing the flow of play to continue with minimal interruptions.

In summary, Cardiff Rangers edged out Manchester Rangers 2-1 in a tightly fought 5-a-side friendly at Longsight. The match showcased tactical awareness and competitive spirit from both teams, with Cardiff Rangers’ ability to capitalise on key moments proving decisive in securing the win.