Cullen's Hat-trick Sinks Amersham

Rangers followed up their five nil thumping of Bedford on Saturday with a hard earned victory at Amersham Town on Tuesday, courtesy of a superb headed hat-trick by Ben Cullen. The former Elgin City striker has now scored 10 goals in 6 games as Rangers continued their run of good form. It was not an easy game however as Amersham Town belied their lowly position, making Rangers work hard for their victory. The opening minutes saw both side probing before Rangers cleared the first corner after five minutes. The crowd had to wait twenty minutes for the first real chance as Laurence Clark's free kick flashed across the six yard box with Cullen inches from getting a touch. Moments later Ian Pykett's shot went well over after a good move. Five minutes later and Amersham took the lead with a well worked goal. A good cross-field ball found their right winger who cut inside his marker to shoot low into the far corner. This was a wake up call for the visitors and they had a good spell with Alfie Touceda getting onto the end of Martin Grigg's pass but his shot looped up into the keepers hands. Next, Josh Urquart got onto the end of a free kick to head straight at the keeper. Joel Read was next as he too headed into the grateful goalkeepers arms. Finally, with five minutes to half time Justin Gordon's excellent cross was met by the onrushing Cullen who headed over the advancing keeper to score. Four minutes later Cullen almost scored again when he skipped over a couple of challenges and hit the post from a tight angle. On the stroke of half time Cullen got his second when he headed home a pinpoint cross from Griggs after good work by Touceda, to send Rangers into the lead.

Rangers forced a corner at the start of the second half and Read's header was clearly handled but the referee waved away Rangers' appeals for a penalty. Soon after, Pykett's run and shot was well gathered. Amersham hit back and a dangerous cross-shot blazed across the Rangers goalmouth. At the other end Clarks corner was cleared off the line. Town then countered and their number 9 headed over when he should have done better. 20 minutes into the half and Cullen makes a clever run and feeds Griggs, who side footed just inches wide. Rangers looked to contain their hosts but Cullen was not done yet, when with five minutes remaining he glanced a superb header from Clarks cross, into the net to achieve his hat-trick of headed goals. From the restart Amersham produced a good header that was well blocked by the impressive Urquart. In the final minutes though Rangers almost extended their lead when Cullen combined with Alex Woodfine before seeing his shot well saved at the near post. Woodfine himself almost scored with seconds to go when his shot dipped over onto the roof of the net.

A workman like performance by Rangers who had to put up with some robust treatment from the hosts.

Rangers Man of the Match: BenCullen. A superbly taken hat-trick of headers. This man certainly has an eye for goal with the finish to match.

Match Report by Bob Rayner