Schmidt Stars in Classic Local Derby

This was a game that had it all. A full-blooded local derby with both sides going hammer and tongs from the off. Rangers made the short trip to Tring Athletic, the ground where they virtually threw away the league title last season, to face a Tring side that have made an encouraging start to the campaign. In a game of two halves, to use a well-known cliche, and two penalties; Rangers raced into a three-goal lead at halftime and Tring pulled two back early in the second to make it an exciting finish. From the kick off Rangers surged forward, Yearwood set up Enver-Marum, whose shot was brilliantly tipped over by the Tring keeper. Tring hit back and Ashmead in the Rangers goal was forced to save at the feet of an onrushing forward. A Tring corner was half cleared, and Ashmead again saved, this time low to his right. Seven minutes in and a Rangers free kick was floated to Hercules in the Tring area and the big defender headed back to Schmidt for the midfielder to score with a superb left foot volley. The next few minutes was end to end stuff with players hardly able to catch their breath. In the 19th minute Rangers skipper, Josh Urquhart launched a free kick into the Tring box and Yearwood was clearly held by his marker and the penalty awarded. Enver-Marum sent the keeper the wrong way to double the visitors lead. Tring applied some pressure in attempt to close the gap and Ashmead made another good save, bravely diving at the striker's feet. 33 minutes had gone when Rangers left back, Greco, cleverly nicked the ball from the feet of an attacker and burst up-field. His run took him all the way to the edge of the Tring area where he neatly laid off to Yearwood who strode on the fire home at the far post to make it three. Tring did not fold however, and Ashmead did well to hold a difficult cross. At the other end Enver-Marum won the ball high up the pitch and shot just wide. Tring came back down the slope, this time a shot high and wide from a good position. The half ended with another tricky run by Greco, who was finally dispossessed on the edge of the home team's penalty area.

Athletic started the second half well, a free kick straight into the arms of Ashmead. A couple of early corners tested Rangers and Ashmead was again in action, parrying a low shot to safety. Rangers reacted with a good turn and shot from James, well blocked by a defending boot. Soon after, Rangers' Coles went close from the angle. It was Tring's turn to break from a Rangers attack, the visitors affording too much room as a good run through the middle ended with a low shot creeping in near the post to reduce the deficit. Five minutes later and Rangers where wasteful in the middle of the park allowing Tring to counter, and seconds later a penalty was awarded for a clumsy challenge by Creco, which was duly put away. Tring were in the ascendency now and a shot curled just over the corner of the Rangers' post and bar. The visitors regained their composure and Schmidt had an effort gathered at the near post and soon after Yearwood's dipping volley just cleared the Tring crossbar. A saving tackle by Hercules at the other end gave Tring a corner that was comfortably dealt with before Enver-Marum's shot crept past the Tring upright. Curtis Brown came on for Rangers and soon made his presence known, his fierce strike well blocked. A quick free kick from Athletic almost caught Rangers out but Ashmead was again on hand to make a fine save. In the closing minutes Schmidt could have put the game beyond doubt after latching onto Louis' flick but his chipped effort went wide with the keeper stranded. There was just time for Yearwood to go close with a near post effort and for Tring to counter, the cross gratefully gathered by the excellent Ashmead at the final whistle. A very good win for Rangers against a very good side on a difficult pitch. Rangers can take heart from this performance that sets them up nicely for this Saturday's home fixture against high riding St. Panteleimon. Kick off at the BEP Stadium is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Keiron Schmidt. Another excellent performance from the midfielder. He was involved in virtually everything in the first half and dug in when it mattered in the second. A superb volley for his goal, Keiron doing what he does best! Sam Ash mead gets a worthy mention too, with a fine goalkeeping display, in a game where both teams had plenty of opportunities.