Heathens In Seventh Heaven

This was billed as a big game between two of the supposedly biggest Step 5 clubs in South Bucks, and those that attended were looking forward to a tight and entertaining cup game. It was nothing of the sort as Rangers capitulated with a performance that could only be described as atrocious, with manager Mark Eaton suffering his biggest defeat in four and a half years at the helm. Flackwell Heath were very good, as expected, but in truth, they really didn't have to be at their best against a poor Rangers side that seemed to think it was Christmas-time already, gifting the visitors with chance after chance. The warning signs were there early on when Rangers keeper, Connor Hunt, saved low down. It was a first half that was not particularly entertaining and in which, despite everything, Rangers enjoyed a fair amount of possession without really creating much, apart from a shot over the angle of the Heath goal from Liam Enver-Marum. Heath took the lead in the fifth minute when a cross from the right was easily headed home at the far post. A full 25 minutes followed with nothing much happening until, on the half hour a reckless challenge on Flackwell's Mealing, who was going away from goal, was deservedly punished by a penalty and Heath doubled their lead. Three chances, two goals! There were signs of things to come in the closing minutes of the first half with a couple of half chances falling Heath's way, with one goal-bound effort headed out by Connolly.

The second period began with Fitzgerald's early shot bobbling past the Flackwell post. Three minutes later and the game was over as a contest when Rangers defender, Alex Sethie, was rightly red carded for denying a player a goal-scoring opportunity. Soon after Hunt made a point blank save off a Flackwell corner, but he could do nothing about the next corner, Flackwell increasing their lead with the Rangers defence once again in a generous mood, affording another free header. Rangers mounted a minor attempt at revival with former Rangers keeper Jack Brooker having to punch off the head of Enver-Marum. The latter then fired a free kick into the Flackwell wall, before a contentious moment as Michael Harding broke clear, only to be upended by Brooker outside his box before Harding could slide the ball into an empty net. It looked an obvious red card, but the referee produced a yellow and Brooker breathed a sigh of relief. Despite being down to ten men Rangers probed and prodded with the Heathens defending solidly. A good save by Brooker in the 70th minute off Lewes Toomey was the signal for Heath to counter and another defensive error by Rangers presented them with a fourth. Ten minutes later and Brooker was out to save at the feet of Rangers new boy, Lynton Sackey and soon after Harry Scott beat his man and forced a good save from Brooker. A corner followed which the Flackwell keeper failed to hold, but the danger was cleared. With five minutes of normal time Flackwell thanked Rangers again, by firing home a fifth after another giveaway. In time added on Connolly should have scored from a free header as Risborough searched for a consolation, before the visitors broke to earn another corner which was cleared as far as the edge of the box only to be drilled back in to make it six. Still deep into injury time and Rangers did get that consolation when Brooker, trying to take on Toomey in his area, was tackled, allowing the Rangers striker to slide the ball into an empty net. Flackwell added a seventh moments before the final whistle with the Rangers defence stretched, a fine angled shot rebounding off the post before being slammed home at the second attempt.

Flackwell, who have got off to a great start, will do well this season, clearly. They have a good side that work hard and punish mistakes. Rangers will not relish playing them another three times, (twice in the league and once in the league cup) and will need to improve exponentially. Unforced errors are costing Rangers dearly and they were suitably punished. With a growing injury list and a game at Milton United this Bank Holiday Monday, it is going to take a monumental effort from Mark Eaton and his team, who have some tough decisions to make.