Winslow's Lottery Win

If ever a team looked in need of some luck it was Rangers on Tuesday night in this Berks & Bucks Cup Tie against Winslow United. First, goalkeeper Craig Hill failed a fitness test before the game forcing skipper and centre-back, Josh Urquhart to go in goal. Then it was discovered that Ollie Bishop, who was due to start, was cup tied, forcing Alex Kedzierski to play in defence and striker, Manny Williams, dropping into midfield. Add to that some woeful finishing and a little bad luck in a game they dominated, then Rangers were in need of some divine providence. The fact that Urquhart played in goal was actually the least of their worries, as apart from the Winslow goal, the make-shift keeper didn't have a save to make until the shootout at the end, following a one-all draw. There was little goal-mouth action until the 13th minute when Rangers' Lewis Toomey crashed a shot against the crossbar. Williams looked like he may score from the rebound but his effort was blocked by some desperate defending. On 19 minutes Rangers thought they had taken the lead when the United keeper parried Wiktor Makowski's curler out to Toby Nnadozie who slammed the ball home. Rangers celebrated until a delayed flag was raised for an apparent infringement. Two minutes later however and Rangers went ahead after Toomey's shot clipped the far post and Jeremiah Luwero was on hand to score from close range. Rangers could have doubled their lead when Kedzierski's clever free kick picked out Williams who shot straight at the keeper when well placed. On the half hour good work from Toomey set up Makowski to fire a whisker wide into the side netting. Disaster for Rangers in the 33rd minute when they failed to clear a nothing ball and Amanning pounced to punish them with Winslow's first chance. Seven minutes until the break and Williams does well to cross for Toomey, the centre forward scuffing his volley, the ball looping into the grateful hands of the keeper. On the stroke of half time a break from Winslow saw Urquhart gather safely at his near post with ease.

The second half was even more one way traffic than the first. Nine minutes into the second period and Toomey's cross was luckily deflected off a defender into the hands of the United keeper. Rangers should have scored three minutes later following a good move between Luwero and Makowski, the ball ending up between Toomey and Williams in front of goal with neither taking the initiative. Luwero produced a good run, cutting inside to create space to shoot, firing over when he should have done better. Another neat move between Sturgess, Luwero and Joe Fitzgerald saw the eventual cross headed down by Williams to Toomey who volleyed into the Winslow net. This time the flag was up early for offside. On 70 minutes a great cross from Williams was met superbly by Makowski, only for his goal-bound effort to hit team-mate Luwero on route, the latter trying to jump out of the way. A moment of debate a minute later when Toomey was put through by Kedzierski; the onrushing keeper raced out of his area to save, with the home team and supporters claiming handball, however, Winslow survived again. A dangerous cross from Rangers left-back, Alfie Branwhite, was poorly dealt with and the ball fell to Kedzierski just inside the box but the former Winslow man could only blaze his shot over the bar. Soon after, Matt Peake Pijnen's corner was headed wide by Toomey at the back post. With six minutes to go and a rare Winslow shot from distance was high and wide. Toomey again, was put clear through with the keeper to beat only to fire straight at him when he looked as though he could have rounded him, or slipped the ball to Makowski who was alongside. It was a bad miss! A good ball from Gary Connelly found Makowski who cut in along the goal-line but his near post shot was saved. With a minute to go another great opportunity for Rangers when Branwhite's low cross was set back by Toomey to Nnadozie in a great position, but again the shot was off target. Cue penalties, with Winslow making no mistakes from all their spot-kicks, despite Urquhart getting his hand to a couple and Rangers missing one, ensuring that United go through to meet Marlow in the next round.

The game really was that one sided. There were claims by some that the visitors defended well, but that wouldn't account for the chances Rangers created, cutting through at will. The truth is that Rangers had the game in their hands and couldn't score the goals that their dominance dictated, therefore they can blame only themselves; It should never have got to the lottery of penalties! Rangers have no silverware to chase now and have only their pride to play for until the season's end. Good luck to Winslow United however, I am genuinely pleased for their manager, Alex Woodfine, one of the really nice people in football.