Rangers continued their unbeaten start to the season as they moved through to the next round of the FA Vase with a narrow win over local rivals Holmer Green who made them work hard for their victory.

Risborough started very well and could have taken the lead as early as the second minute when a Josh Williams cross led to efforts from Aaron Minhas and Rio Connell being cleared off the Holmer line. On five minutes Niko Muir blasted over from another Williams cross as the home side spent the first quarter of the game passing the ball around and penning the visitors back in their own half. Holmer gradually grew into the game, however, and both James Mangan and Ollie Saunders had efforts easily dealt with by Ben Bridle-Crad in the home goal.

The real big chance of the opening period came on 38 minutes when Muir played a great ball through to Rio. The lively winger ran through on goal but was thwarted by a fine save from Sam Bell. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Connell also saw another effort zip across the face of the visitors goal but at the break the game remained scoreless.

The second period saw both sides enjoy periods of possession without really creating any clear-cut chances. That changed on 62 minutes when Williams and EK played a one-two that saw the lively defender burst into the Holmer box and send in a cross / shot that evaded everyone but thankfully for Risborough found the far corner of Bell’s net.

Not long after, a mistake in midfield saw Holmer break-away through Harrison Holbrook. His initial effort was saved by Bridle-Card but the loose ball fell to Saunders whose delicate chip just went wide of the Risborough post. Holmer did actually hit the home woodwork on 68 minutes as a long ball over the top was raced onto by the lively Saunders and though his effort beat Bridle-Card it didn’t beat the post.

The final ten minutes saw Risborough also hit the woodwork as a twisting run by substitute David Appiah saw him send in a strike that had everyone beaten but sadly, for Rangers, bounced back off the bar.

The CMG Stadium will be the venue for the Second Round Qualifying tie against United Counties Premier side Northampton Sileby Rangers on Saturday September 12th. Before then we have a league fixture against Newport Pagnell Town on Monday 17th August and then next Saturday, the long trip to Somerset to face Wells City in the FA Cup.

Come On You Ris!