Rangers are out of the FA cup in the first preliminary round losing to Hellenic Division One champions Hartpury University 2-0 in new manager Mark Jones first competitive fixture.

Rangers came into the game missing key experienced players and an after a difficult pre-season the rebuilding of the squad is not where Jones would have liked it to be for the season opener.

Hartpury’s facilities are amazing with a pitch worthy of a football league club both sets of supporters were hoping to see a good game.

In truth there was truly little in the game with the first half producing minimal goal mouth action. The home sides best moments game down both flanks with long balls down the side of Rangers defence. There was scare when Hartpury had the ball in the net ruled out for offside.

Rangers replied with their best move of the half, a good passing move through the lines to Jack Smith whose sweeping ball behind the home side rearguard released Robinson, his first touch took him away from the goal and ended with disappointing cross hitting the first man.

Rangers huffed and puffed but found it difficult to hold the ball in the final third meaning the ball kept coming back but to their credit the back line dealt with any threat.
Rangers can feel aggrieved that the home side were not reduced ten men after several poor challenges from the centre forward; already on a booking the referee was very lenient.

On 44 minutes with both managers wanting to get in at half time to regroup Hartpury got the breakthrough. A throw in on the Hartpury left was moved across the pitch, with Rangers slow to switch on the Hartpury right sided attacker got down the by line and cross for the opposite winger to finish at the far post. It was a real blow for Rangers aa there had been nothing in the game.

The second half saw Rangers come out with a bit more attacking threat; Enow had replaced Robinson.

Rangers had several long throws into the box and kept sustained pressure on the Hartpury back line without creating any clear-cut chances something they would end up paying for. There was still a lack of quality from both sides and after their initial pressure the visitors started to fatigue with several players going down injured and limited options from the bench.

Hartpury made the tie safe with a goal on the break scored by the same player again. If the visiting supporters were hoping for a big reaction, it never really happened, and the game fizzled out.

A disappointing start for Rangers who now need to improve for the first league game against Milton United