Rangers Don't Get The Point

Rangers travelled to Hillingdon Borough on Saturday to face a Hilltop side that have had a similar start to the season as their visitors. The long grass and bumpy surface at the dilapidated Middlesex Stadium was not ideal for attractive football, as was proven by a game that was more about hard work than anything else, and despite a two-one defeat, it cannot be denied that Rangers' players put in a shift on a very hot afternoon. Rangers had the better of the opening minutes with Ben Peters firing wide following a Rangers corner. Five minutes later and a run from Rangers striker, Lewes Toomey saw him also shoot wide of the target. On the quarter hour mark Hilltop's first chance and goal came from an under-hit back-pass, the ball slowing in the long grass allowing the Hilltop striker to beat Connor Hunt to the ball and slide into an empty net. It seemed like deja-vu for Rangers, with another unforced error gifting their opponents. Rangers pressed again with Jamie Robinson doing well down the right, feeding Toomey whose shot was blocked, the rebound falling to Harry Scott who shot over from the angle. Nearing the half hour mark and Rangers keeper, Hunt, made a good stop from a rare Hilltop attack, with Joe Fitzgerald doing well to tidy up. Hilltop then enjoyed a good spell with a deep cross headed into the side netting and some skilful play on the edge of the Rangers area ending with a shot low and just wide. Rangers countered with Toby Nnadozie seeing his effort drift past the Hilltop post. On 40 minutes Hilltop tried to walk the ball in with the Rangers defence holding firm before a long range effort flew high and wide. With a minute to the break good work from the hard working Ben Sturgess put Michael Harding through but the Rangers striker could only toe the ball straight at the host's keeper. In time added on Joel Read volleyed well over for Rangers before Fitzgerald again did well to clear a dangerous cross. The resultant corner saw a free header at the far post, headed wide to the visitors relief. Then Toomey looked to be through but was called offside, it looked a tight call! Moments before the halftime whistle, Fitzgerald was on hand with a superb block to keep the deficit to one, after a quick break from Hilltop.

The second half began much like the first with Toomey forcing a corner and then heading over following the kick. Scott then does well to beat two men, getting to the by-line before chipping the ball beyond the far post, a low cross would have been better with the Hilltop defence all over the place. On 54 minutes a good chance for Hilltop ended with an equally good save from Hunt. This prompted a good spell of pressure from Hilltop as they forced Rangers onto the back foot. First, a fierce drive across the Rangers six yard box caused panic. A Hilltop corner soon followed and another free header saw Robinson clear off the line. Shortly after, Fitzgerald was again on hand to clear as the home side broke through. Two minutes later and a superb free kick from Hilltop rattled the Rangers crossbar. The ball was crossed back in and Hunt climbed high to catch under pressure. Rangers weathered the storm with some sterling defending and out of nowhere they were level. A rare break saw Toomey do well to burst into the Hilltop area where he was upended for a penalty. There were few complaints and Toomey dusted himself off to score with ease. Hilltop came back with a free kick curled high over the bar. Rangers then earned a corner and Rahman Ajibola, who did well when he came on, was unlucky when his powerful downward header was brilliantly blocked by a desperate defender. With the game now entering time added on, a long hopeful free kick into the Rangers box was not dealt with and the ball dropped kindly for the Hilltop substitute to scoop the home from close range, giving Hunt no chance. It was cruel on Rangers who had defended resiliently since the 15th minute, but on chances Hilltop probably deserved it and it could have been three, with Hunt denying them low down at his near post a minute later. Rangers rallied a little and a series of Rangers crosses were dealt with by Hilltop as the game concluded. In truth Rangers never looked like winning the game with the Hilltop keeper not having to make a single save throughout the match but they probably feel that they deserved a point. It wasn't a pretty game, with Rangers workmanlike and Hilltop showing a more maverick approach, but it was good to see Rangers battle hard, showing real effort following the performances in the last two games. Sometimes hard work and determination is to be respected more than total skill and Rangers can hold their heads up as they so nearly came away with a point.

Rangers Man of the Match: Joe Fitzgerald. The Rangers right back, having been forced to play left back last Monday, showed his versatility again with a great performance at centre back. Time and again, Fitz was on hand to clear the danger, with a timely tackle, block, header or clearance.