Rangers Make History In FA Cup

Bob Rayner reports on another historic day for Boro

Risborough Rangers progressed into the First Qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history with this narrow win over local rivals Winslow United. An injury time winner from skipper Joel Read saved this tantalising cup tie from being decided on penalties. It would have been a travesty to decide a game like this in a shoot-out, after both teams gave it their all.

Winslow came out strongly and had Rangers on the back foot for the first 10 minutes and could have taken a first minute lead with Jack Brooker making a good save when faced with a one on one. Minutes later he was in action again, dealing with a long range effort from outside the area by Kedzierski. On 10 minutes he again saved well at the feet of Winslow's Woolley. Rangers early nerves began to settle with Alex Sethie making some great challenges at the back to calm his side. The home team began to create chances of their own when Asher Yearwood went through on goal, only to be called back for offside. It was a close call! Soon after, Yearwood set up Adam Morris whose stinging shot was well held by Lee Parrack in the United goal. Morris again tested the keeper with a smart effort after been tee'd up by Brian Haule. It was Rangers' turn to be on top now and Marcus Wyllie's strike was brilliantly blocked by the impressive Winslow skipper Freshwater, before Yearwood's cross was tipped off the head of Wyllie by Parrack. Haule's follow up was just over.Half hour in and a wicked Ben Hammond corner flashed across the Winslow area through a melee of legs. It was during this spell of pressure that the visitors took the lead in the 34th minute with a superb break and finish. Hussey cleared from near his corner post. Three passes later and Aaron King's great first touch and even better strike gave Brooker no chance. Five minutes from the break and Read should have leveled things when heading over at the far post. It looked easier to score. There were a couple of half chances for Gary Rymer and Wyllie before the referee blew for the break.

If the first half had been fairly even, the second half belonged to Rangers. 47th minute and Wyllie headed wide after Read flicked on a long throw. Soon after, Rymer should have scored when he headed over Morris's cross. 15 minutes after the restart though and Rangers were level. Justin Gordon's deep free kick was headed back across the Winlow goal by Read. The hapless Freshwater helped it on and last season's top scorer Brian Haule had the simplest job of heading the equaliser. Incidentally it was Haule that scored two of Aylesbury FC's three goals against Rangers in their last appearance in this round in 2015 at the BEP. Five minutes later and Wyllie was in with just the keeper to beat and shoots over. Next, Morris picks out Davis Haule on the edge of the Winslow area and his great strike drifts just wide of Parrack's post. Josh Fox also shoots just wide from a good position as Rangers continue to search for a winner. A brief moment for Winslow as Shaun Coles ' clever dribble and shot is saved by the feet of Brooker. Rangers break and a great run by Fox sets up Wyllie whose shot is blocked well by a despairing tackle to send the ball spinning over the bar. Morris is then denied at the near post by a good save. It wouldn't be too unkind to say that the visitors were hanging on now, as Rangers piled on the pressure. The game was two minutes in to time added on when Read got his winner. Morris' corner was drilled across and Read rose to meet it, his header flying goal-ward forcing a desperate block on the goal-line. The rebound came straight back to Read who slammed home from seven yards to send the Rangers fans and players into celebration mode. Soon after the restart Sam Pekun could have added a third when he cut inside his marker, but shot across the face of goal. Winslow were not done yet though and deep in injury time King could have sent the game to penalties but Brooker was equal to the task, saving from close range. Finally the referee Mr. Adam Jackson, who had an excellent game, blew his whistle to the relief of the Rangers support.

It was a deserved win for Rangers against a very good side and they have it all to do again next Saturday, this time at Winslow, when they square up again in the FA Vase! Meanwhile, Rangers begin their league campaign on Tuesday night when they face Langley at the BEP stadium as they look to repeat last seasons fantastic record.

Rangers of the Match: Adam Morris. 'Mozza' was at the heart of most of Ranger's moves. His non stop energy kept the rest on their toes and his range of passing was second to none.