Jethro At The Double

Risborough Rangers recovered from Saturday's defeat at champions elect, Leighton Town, with this fine win over Biggleswade United on Bank Holiday Monday. The fans were treated to seven goals as Rangers ran out 5-2 winners and the win could have been bigger but for a fine goalkeeping display by the United keeper. The game was less than a minute old when Marcus Wyllie headed home a superb ball from Keiron Schmidt to give Rangers the lead. Three minutes later and Rangers doubled their lead, a nice move started by James Dobson and some neat passing from Asher Yearwood, Jamie Robinson and Wiktor Makowski ended with Ricky Miller evading his man to finish with aplomb. Rangers followed this with several chances as Keiron Schmidt fired just wide, Makowski's dangerous cutback was well defended, and Dobson's effort was straight at the keeper. 15 minutes in and a first strike from United was deflected for a corner. Rangers came back and soon after Yearwood found Robinson whose chip was well taken by the keeper. Next, good work from Louis Walsh set up Miller, his shot well blocked. United pulled one back on 24 minutes after some sloppy defensive work in the Rangers box saw Rhiney with a simple tap in. A couple of minutes later and United levelled after Rhiney was put through and did well to fend off a couple of challenges before rifling home. Rangers recovered and a few minutes later Wyllie turned and shot, clipping the inside of the post, the ball bouncing across the goal-face before being turned away for a corner. The following corner was headed straight at the keeper by Yearwood from close range. Good work by Miller and Wyllie set up Schmidt, who scuffed his shot as Rangers continued to press. 10 minutes before the break and Rangers took the lead again, Robinson and Makowski combined with the latter picking out Walsh with a cross-field pass. Walsh cut inside, beat his man and smashed the ball into the far corner. Walsh's goal fired Rangers and Robinson's cross was headed wide by Walsh when well placed. More good play from the home side followed with a brilliant save denying Walsh. Moments later and another good save at the near post off Miller. Walsh again, just inside the United area, had his strike well blocked. The half ended with Schmidt finding Wyllie who weaved his way into the area, his shot tipped over the bar by the overworked keeper.

The home side began the second period brightly with Walsh testing the keeper early on. Soon after and Makowski couldn't quite reach Wyllie's cross. Wyllie then stretched to volley just over from eight yards after Schmidt's cross. 10 minutes into the half and Miller's cross was set back by Wyllie for Walsh to force an outstanding save by United's keeper, the ball tipped over the bar. From the corner Makowski, at the far post, headed onto the roof of the net. In the 60th minute Rangers' Ben Sturgess was sin binned for dissent, forcing Rangers to play for ten minutes with ten men. From the free kick Rangers keeper, Connor Hunt, was forced to dive across his goal and push away the goal-bound effort. That save apart, United couldn't make the extra man pay and when the ten minutes were up, Jethro Odumuso was introduced in Sturgess' place. The substitute wasted little time to make an impact as Miller raced into the United area before squaring to him to score from close range. United hit back with a corner, a stooping header spinning wide of the upright. Rangers countered as Robinson's cross was screwed wide by Odumuso. Moments later and Odumuso turned well and raced away before curling the ball just past the far post with the outside of his boot. Yearwood then headed Dobson's corner wide as the game entered the final ten minutes. A rare attack from United was fired high into the trees, before Rangers' Harry Scott was put through, sending his shot over the bar after losing his footing. With just over five to go Odumuso rolled his marker in the area and planted an unstoppable drive past the keeper for Rangers fifth. In the final minutes Dobson's dangerous free kick evaded all yet deserved better and Odumuso nearly got his hat-trick when he raced through only to be foiled by a great save at his feet. The last chance went to United, a free kick high over the bar. A great game to watch with some great goals and a very good attacking performance by Rangers who looked dangerous on every foray forward. Hopefully they can continue at Colney Heath on Saturday.

Rangers Man of the Match: Keiron Schmidt. A class act when in this kind of mood. The left foot was like a wand as he picked out his runners with precision. Skilful on the ball and energetic when without it. A great all-round performance from the midfielder.