ARDLEY ANY DEFENDING!

There will be many of those in attendance at the BEP Stadium on Tuesday night that will tell you what a great game this was; with plenty of goals and some great saves by both keepers, with end-to-end stuff and played at a decent pace for most of the game. Me on the other hand, was frustrated by some dreadful defending on both sides, as Ardley United snatched victory in injury time to win by four goals to three. It was a measure of the game that despite letting in goals, both keepers were probably 'man of the match' for their respective clubs. Obviously, the art of defending is not high on the agenda amongst these sets of players, with Rangers recording only their first clean sheet in weeks last Saturday, whilst Ardley were getting tonked five-nil by Stotfold, and it showed. As I said, most people would have enjoyed the spectacle but, as an ex-defender, I found myself wincing most of the time.

The game was two minutes old when Ardleys's keeper handled outside the box. Harry Scott curled his free kick over the wall into the arms of said keeper. Two minutes later and Keiron Schmidt combined with Joe Fitzgerald who crossed for Scott to head over when well placed. Shortly after United broke down Rangers' left before sending in a dangerous ball across the Rangers goalmouth. Rangers left-back, Rico Greco, had a good shot saved from a free kick. Rangers were enjoying a good spell and Schmidt had a decent strike well saved. On 23 minutes Rangers took the lead when Schmidt picked out Scott's run and the winger neatly chipped the Ardley keeper to score. Two minutes later and what turned out to be a crucial blow to Rangers saw skipper Josh Urquhart leave the field injured with midfielder Alex Kedzierski forced into a makeshift centre- half position. Rangers continued to dominate however and a good ball into the near post by Asher Yearwood was nicked off the toe of Scott. Half hour in and Rangers should have doubled their lead when Wiktor Makowski raced clear to cross for Sean Coles who missed at the far post. A rare break for Ardley followed and Rangers' keeper, Connor Hunt, was forced into a save at his near post but the ball fell kindly to Rogan to score from close in. Two minutes later and the visitors forced corner which was headed back across the Risborough goal for a simple tap in by United's skipper, Gabbidon, with the Rangers defence static. Two chances, two goals. Rangers reacted quickly with Makowski breaking quickly but couldn't get any power into his shot. Scott had another great strike well saved before on the stroke of half time, Makowski chased down a long punt up field, beating the keeper to the ball and toe poking home to level it up again. There was just enough time for Makowski's cross to be headed goalward by Schmidt with the offside flag raised.

Early into the second half Hunt saved well with his feet as United came out brightly. Six minutes in and despite opportunities, Rangers failed to clear their lines before United's Odhiambo was gifted an easy goal to give the visitors the lead once more. United continued to dominate this spell and Hunt produced a great save at the expense of a corner with the resultant kick cleared off the line by Greco. Rangers first attack of the half saw Scott pick out Coles at the far post, the chance flashing into the side netting. Back came Ardley in the 57th minute when Schmidt was harshly adjudged to have fouled in the box with a penalty awarded. A brilliant save by Hunt prevented the visitors from going two goals clear. At the other end Scott should have scored with a header when unmarked at the far post. Moments later a big shout for a penalty for handball was turned down, much to the Rangers players frustration. The game was still very much end to end, but with little finesse. Another good save by Hunt from a shot just inside the box before Rangers raced to the other end for Scott to produce a nice turn and shot, which was well blocked. From the corner Asher Yearwood climbed highest to send his back-header crashing onto the Ardley crossbar. Yearwood again, his shot half cleared with Scott sending the rebound over the bar. Rangers finally got the equaliser they deserved on 63 minutes when Yearwood burst through to give the United keeper no chance and make it three each. Both sides went for a winner with Schmidt feeding Makowski, the United keeper saving superbly at his feet. Moments later Macowski again and another top class save at point blank range. Ardley countered and Hunt mad a great tackle just outside his box to avert the danger. Hunt then pulled off another great save, emulating his opposing number with a point blank stop himself. With a minute to go a Rangers corner was headed over by Joel Read with the goal gaping. On 45 minutes Macowski raced onto a Gavin James flick, his strike desperately blocked and scrambled clear. Into injury time and poor defending by the home side, again failing to clear their lines, saw Obhiambo poach his second of the game. Rangers pushed for an equaliser and Liam Enver-Marum had a very good shout for a penalty when he was fouled in the United area, but the referee waved away the protests. The last chance fell to Rangers; with the Ardley defence all over the place the ball finally came to James who headed over when it looked easier to score. That's football they say, a little luck and it could have been Rangers with the three points, but tonight it was United's, who are becoming the Rangers bogey side it would seem. As I said, a game that most would have enjoyed, but for me, littered with mistakes and sloppy goals. Whatever happened to the proud art of defending?

Rangers Man of the Match: Connor Hunt. Some superb saves and a great penalty stop too. Just like his opposite number, he deserved better from those in front of him.