Hares Hunted Down

Harefield United put up a dogged fight in this Tuesday league fixture at the BEP Stadium, holding out until the 61st minute before Marcus Wyllie broke the deadlock. The first half saw a solid defensive display by the visitors, with some unorthodox goalkeeping denying Rangers on several occasions. A witty Twitter post by Harefield summed it up in one sentence; Bus parked for the first 45. 0-0 at half-time. Lewis Patrick's fierce cross was taken at the near post in the first minute as Rangers were quick out of the traps. Gavin James then beat the keeper to a looping cross, his flick dropped to Wyllie who was tackled as he prepared to shoot. Alex Kedzierski shot straight at the keeper from the edge of the box as the home side turned the screw. Next, James turned to chip onto the roof of the net. Some good wing play by Wyllie ended with the ball again dropping onto the net. A rare corner for United and Coles cleared to Wyllie who ran through the Harefield back line before slotting past the advancing keeper, only to strike the foot of the post. 20 minutes in and Kedzierski's shot is parried away with Coles unable to turn the loose ball home, the ensuing corner headed over by James. The same player had a nice turn and low shot pushed away by the keeper before, this time heading the resultant corner wide. James again, this time slotting inches wide after good work from Coles. Harefield were already using every opportunity to waste time in order to nullify Rangers momentum but the home team continued to press. A superb cross-field ball from Patrick found Wyllie who cut in from the right, firing just over. Harefield's first chance came on 44 minutes, a decent turn and shot, well held by Jack Brooker. The half finished with a brave header from James looping over the Harefield cross-bar.

The first minute of the second half showed the home team's intent when Patrick whipped in a pass and Gavin James' effort was deflected wide. Two minutes later and Sean Coles almost punished a mistake, his shot hitting the side netting from a good position. Wyllie then had his strike deflected for a corner, easily dealt with by the visitors. A good save followed after another clever turn and shot from James inside the United area, the loose ball hacked away. An hour played and Wyllie's free kick beat the wall before being scooped away by the busy United gloves-man. A minute later and Rangers finally took the lead. Wyllie again with a free kick outside the United 'D', his first strike hitting the wall and his second, from the rebound, volleyed in off the inside of the post for a spectacular opener. Cue Harefield's Twitter wag; Risborough moved the bus! Soon after and Brooker took a good catch from a Harefield free kick. A good move by Rangers in the 67th minute ended with another free kick on the edge of the Harefield area, this time Wyllie curled it around the wall where the keeper parried into the path of the onrushing Ben Sturgess to calmly slam the loose ball home to make it two. The best move of the game came 30 minutes into the half . A good ball from the impressive Keiron Schmidt out to Asher Yearwood. He then played a neat wall pass with Coles who backheeled his pass, before pushing the ball into the feet of James. Another great turn from the Rangers striker followed before he forced an excellent save with a fierce strike. Shortly after a surging run from left back Patrick opened up a shooting chance, the youngster firing over. James again showed his skills, another nice turn and shot, this time blocked by a timely tackle. The second half finished as did the first, with a half chance for the visitors, a weak header, easy for Brooker. A good three points against a decent side. Rangers will be hoping to carry on their good form when they take on Hadley at home in the Premier Cup Thursday evening (7.45KO) before returning to league action, again at home, this Saturday in the local derby with Holmer Green. Their penultimate league game follows next Tuesday evening at Tring Athletic. There are going to be some tired legs!

[b]Rangers Man of the Match: Alex Kedzierski. [/b]I have lost count of how many MOM's AK has earned this season but once again he put in an awesome performance and showed his class. Like so many in this squad, a born winner.