Toomey Proves Too Much!

After the disappointment of last Saturday's draw with Wokingham & Embrook, where Rangers twice conceded a lead, the second deep in injury time, it was Rangers turn to come from behind twice and this time nick the win with an injury time penalty, scored by Rangers top scorer, Lewis Toomey. It was a result that Rangers earned with an impressive second half performance following a poor first period where the visitors edged it. From the start a good move from Rangers saw a dangerous cross from Harry Scott cleared away. For the next 10 minutes there was little to report until Holyport carved open a chance, the ball cut back across the box with no takers. Rangers countered and Scott flashed a ball low across the face of the visitors goal with Manny Williams unable to connect. Moments later a long free kick was well taken under pressure by Craig Hill in the Rangers goal. Another Holyport attack was stifled by a timely tackle from Alex Sethie as the visitors threatened again. On 21 minutes Holyport's Caravalho-Pedro was given too much space on the edge of the Rangers box and he fired home despite Hill getting a hand to his shot. A minute later however, and Rangers were level; A ball from Alfie Branwhite picked out Toomey wide of the opponents penalty area and the Rangers number nine squared across to Manny Williams for the veteran striker to side foot home. Five minutes later and Toomey fired a shot from the corner of the Holyport penalty box, forcing the keeper to make an unorthodox save with his fist. Holyport then broke down Rangers' left and with Rangers failing to deal with the cross, the ball dropped nicely to Foriscky to score from close range and re-establish their lead. Two minutes later and Scott again beat his man to fizz a ball across the face of the visitors goal, this time Toomey just making connection despite the close attention of his marker, the ball going wide of the far post. A superb double save from Hill prevented Holyport going further head in the 36th minute as Rangers looked all at sea defensively. Rangers hit back as Toby Nnadozie volleyed just over following a punched clearance by the Holyport keeper. Holyport broke through again after intercepting a poor pass, this time the chance wasted as the shot went harmlessly wide. Another chance followed soon after as Hill made a good save at the feet of the onrushing centre-forward. Rangers rallied with Scott denied with a block at the near post but it was Holyport that finished the half strongest with a good turn and shot flashing just wide and another important tackle by Sethie denying the visitors just before the whistle. As the players retired for half time one couldn't help thinking that had it not been for some of Hill's heroics the score-line could have been greater than the narrow one goal lead.

Three minutes into the second half and a Rangers corner was cleared to Branwhite on the edge of the box, his volley arrowed toward the top corner, producing a superb save from the Holyport keeper who dived full length to tip the ball past the post. A deep free kick from Rangers found the head of Josh Urquhart who couldn't quite direct his header. Rangers enjoyed plenty of possession but with Holyport defending their lead in numbers chances were rare. Midway through the half a golden opportunity came Rangers' way as Toomey did well to create space for a cross to Jeremiah Luwero, but the substitute failed to mark his debut with a goal when he somehow skimmed his header wide from a couple of yards out with an empty net at his mercy; It was a big let off for Holyport! A rare break by the visitors ended with a shot well wide. The substitutions for Rangers at this time were key, as Alex Kedzierski, Joe Fitzgerald and Gary Connolly all made a big impact. With 17 minutes to go another great chance for Rangers came when Connolly crossed for Toomey to head powerfully goalward, Holyport's keeper tipping the ball onto a post. The rebound dropped to Luwero, who this time was on target but saw his effort cleared off the line. Kedzierski was set up neatly by the hard working Ben Sturgess, his arrowed strike deflected for a corner. With the corner taken there was a shout for handball by Rangers but the referee was right there and waved play on. Shortly after and Scott's hopeful shot was well wide. Scott was involved again soon after when his whipped free kick was headed over his own bar by a Holyport defender to give Rangers a corner. Scott drilled in the corner kick and there was Toomey to head home with a thumping header with eight minutes to go. With the scores even the visitors took every opportunity to get the trainer on as they looked to hang on. It was a tactic that backfired as during that time added on a shot from Sturgess was handled and Mr. Woodham the referee, who had an excellent match, pointed to the spot. Before the kick was taken a Holyport player was sent to the bench for his protestations before Toomey stepped up to calmly send the keeper the wrong way and win the game for Rangers. It was a well needed win for Risborough and a big boost before they go to a high flying Amersham Town on Tuesday night in the County Cup. Rangers are at home AGAIN next Saturday in the league when they take on Reading City (the fixture planning in this league is puzzling to say the least!). Kick off at the Kamtech Stadium next Saturday is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Ben Sturgess. Four players stood out for me. Craig Hill kept us in it first half, Lewis Toomey made one and scored two in a perfect centre forward display and Harry Scott was a threat with his crosses and set-pieces, but Sturge again gave a tireless, combative performance in the middle of the park. So often the one to tidy things up and urge the team on again. Always involved and a real winner!