Cup Full of Water

Rangers bowed out of the League Cup last night in a rain-soaked Kamtech Stadium to league leaders Penn & Tylers Green, but it was a night where football firmly took second place. There was a sombre pre-match atmosphere as news filtered through that ex-Rangers player Adam Ankers, who collapsed on the pitch in a recent match playing for Henley College, had sadly not recovered and tragically passed away earlier in the day. Adam was known to many at the club including players and coaches and our hearts go out to his family at this most difficult time. The Risborough team wore black armbands as a mark of the respect and the minutes silence was impeccably observed by all in attendance.

As for the game, after a bright start from Risborough, Penn took the lead on the 10 minute mark slotting in neatly across keeper Janes following a slip from Watson and a missed slide tackle from Barton on the edge of the box, the awful weather playing a major part! 5 minutes later and we were given the perfect chance to bounce back, when a penalty was awarded after Peaky's through ball found Russell who powered into the box only to be scythed down before getting a chance to get a shot off. Unfortunately the resulting penalty from Peaky was hit well but a good height for the Penn keeper and was saved to his left. 5 minutes later and a super bit of inter-play between Leighton and Kemp resulted in the latter being brought down 25 yards out from goal, and the resulting free kick from Peaky sailed over the keeper's head and in for the 1-1 equaliser! What a goal, and it looked like we'd go into half time deservedly level, but on 35 minutes a half clearance from Barton and an unfortunate slip from Peaky allowed Penn to cross to the far post and eventually smash home the 2-1 goal to take us into the break.

Any thoughts that the rain would abate in the second half were soon dismissed as it teemed down relentlessly and playing conditions worsened. The first 20 minutes were end to end with both sets of players battling the conditions as much as each other. Then on 65 minutes Allard made a scintillating pass down the right which saw Peaky brilliantly beat the keeper to the ball then settle himself, only to slot inches wide with the goal gaping. That would have made it 2-2 and game on, but less than 5 minutes later it was 3-1 to Penn, when keeper Janes, nursing a suspected broken finger, rushed out to intercept a through ball but the Penn player beat him to it and clipped in off the far post for a good finish. 5 minutes later and it was 4-1 when a hopeful shot from outside the box bounced in front of keeper Janes who, struggling to use his hand, saw the ball slip under his body and in. Despite his superb efforts, Janes's day was over sadly and right-back Allard took over between the sticks, pulling off a couple of heroic stops before finally conceding with 5 minutes to go, following a mix up in central defence which allowed the Penn striker through the middle. There was just about time left for a shot from Coker to test the keeper from long range but the game was over long before.

Best of luck to Penn who march onto the next round. Rangers will feel hard done by as the score-line did not reflect the game, and it could have been so different had things gone our way midway through the second half. An experience we will do well to learn from....