Rangers exited the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup on Tuesday night but can be more than proud of the performance they put in against higher level Bracknell Town.

The hosts side started well, Risborough keeper Ben Bridle-Card making a good save from Charlie Kennedy on five minutes and then clearing an effort off the line just sixty seconds later. Once Risborough settled, however, they made chances aplenty – AJ put a shot inches wide on 15 minutes and Elliott Buchanan saw a great effort met by a good save from the home sides Harvey Randle, his follow up kicked off the line by Ethan Kaiser. Rio Connell saw a 20th minute chipped effort well gathered by Randle who also made a fingertip save two minutes later to push Rio’s goal bound shot onto the bar and out to safety.

Inevitably, against the run of play, Bracknell took the lead as a fine run down the right saw the ball pulled back for Hani Berchiche to slot home. Bracknell really should have scored a second on 38 minutes as a great cross found the unmarked Haydon Vaughan, but his header cannoned off the Risborough bar. A minute before half time, however, Rangers were nearly on level terms as a run by EK saw him send a cross into the onrushing Rio, but his effort went agonizingly wide of the home side’s post.

The second period saw Rangers have a decent amount of possession without creating any clear-cut chances until the 61st minute when both Rio and Elliott saw efforts thwarted by Randle. A minute later the busy T’Aizo Marcel-Dilaver pounced on a loose ball near the half-way line and ran unchecked towards the Risborough goal before firing off a shot that gave Bridle-Card no chance.

Buchanan nearly pulled one back on 67 minutes following a great through pass from AJ but sadly for Rangers his effort went wide. Bracknell were then content to run down the clock and play on the break, Joe Grant seeing a 75th minute effort bounce back off the visitors’ bar and Vaughan also going close on 78 minutes. Much to their credit Rangers kept playing their football and on 84 minutes they were rewarded with a goal as Harry Stratton sent in a delightful cross for the outstanding AJ to slam past Randle.

Just as the last few minutes looked as though they could be difficult for the home side they caught a break when a mishit pass in the middle of the Rangers half saw Vaughan send a fantastic lobbed effort over the head of Bridle-Card and finally secure Bracknell’s progress to the next round.

Every player in a red shirt put in a great shift and they should be proud of their performance against a team two divisions higher in the non-league pyramid.