Match report by Bob Rayner

A strange and sometimes scrappy game at Wallingford on Tuesday night saw Rangers go through in the Berks and Bucks FA Senior Cup, courtesy of a penalty shoot-out. Following a one-all draw that saw Rangers have the better of the first half and Wallingford enjoying most of the second, it all came down to penalties. In the drama that followed, Rangers had two keepers to thank for making the saves that saw them through. With Rangers keeper, Marwan Hassan, dislocating his shoulder after saving one of the home sides kicks, centre-back, Keano Robinson, went between the sticks for the next Wallingford penalty and duly saved it, having just scored himself. It was a surreal ending to a strange game in which both goals came via goalkeeping errors. A good start from Rangers saw Aaron Minas fire just over after being set up by Alex Cathline. Five minutes in and Rangers' Andrei Chiriac's free kick was saved at the expense of a corner. From the kick Harry Stratton forced another good save by the Wallingford keeper. On 10 minutes the home sides first shot, from distance, was high and wide. Rangers countered and Stratton was put away down the flank by Ollie Sprague, but his cross was too near the keeper. Wallingford did likewise on 20 minutes following a good run down their left, the final cross easily taken by Hassan. Sprague's deep free kick caused some problems in the Wallingford box but the home side eventually scrambled the ball away. A dangerous near post ball by Rangers' Manny Williams was scuffed clear and moments later former Rangers man, Ellis Hercules made a very good tackle on Chiriac after he was put through by Excauce Kifwasima. Stratton gave Rangers a deserved lead when his wide curling free kick appeared to be helped on its way into the net by the Wallingford keeper. A few minutes later Risborough's Toju James almost added a second with a decent effort just wide of the post. A great cross from Stratton was almost turned into the home sides goal by a defender, the ball bobbling off for a corner. By now Rangers were enjoying plenty of possession and playing some neat football, with the home side forced to chase shadows, but chances were still limited. Chiriac made a jinking run, his dipping shot straight at the keeper and the same player shot low and wide on the stroke of half time.

The second period began slowly and it was ten minutes before a shot from Wallingford sailed high over the Rangers bar. Rangers came back with a nicely worked corner, Cathline heading over from 12 yards. The game changed in the 67th minute when an innocuous free kick form just outside the box sailed straight into the hands of Hassan. It was a standard catch for the Rangers keeper but to his and his team-mates horror the ball slipped through his fingers and over the line. Rangers tried to make amends with Chiriac turning to shoot from distance, easily clearing the bar, and moments later a superb ball from Robinson set him away but he chose to fire first time when he should have squared to substitute, Buchanan who surely would have scored. Wallingford had their tails up however and a sloppy Rangers give-away saw them shoot wide from a good position before another free-kick rattled the Rangers post. Buchanan tried to rally the troops and his pass set Chiriac away again, but he was denied by an excellent tackle just inside the box. The home side had a great chance when they were played on-side by some slack defending and Sprague did brilliantly to get back and clear off the line after Hassan was chipped. Wallingford sensed blood and their endeavour forced Rangers onto the backfoot. With five minutes to go Wallingford shot into the side netting and in the last minute a long dangerous throw from the home side was just glanced away by Jordan Ajanlekoko as Wallingford threatened. The final whistle offered both keepers the chance to make amends for the goals conceded and Hassan certainly did that, with a superb save after Wallingford's third penalty, dislocating his shoulder in the process. With the Rangers keeper receiving treatment the referee moved the kicks to the other goal and up stepped Robinson to emphatically rifle home his penalty for Rangers before donning the gloves to face one himself; the shot, powerfully hit straight down the middle, allowed him to parry the ball up against the bar and out to safety. Rangers didn't need to take their final penalty, going through by three penalties to one. The draw for the next round takes place on Friday 12th September. Rangers are back in league action this coming Saturday at home to Baldock Town. Kick off at the Kamtech Stadium is 3pm.