Rangers See Red!

High flying Flackwell Heath fielded no less than five ex Rangers in their squad for this local derby, four of whom started, with two of them goal-scorers, as the 'Heathens' capitalised on a red card for Rangers' Alex Sethi and a second half sin binning for Gary Connolly. It was an entertaining first half with the game evenly poised and shaping up for what looked to be a competitive second period. However that all changed just before half-time when Sethi was given his third red card of the season for a rash challenge on former Ranger, Michael Harding. With the whole of the Flackwell bench dancing down the touchline in unison (one of the many ugly aspects in football these days!) the referee adjudged that as last man he had prevented a goalscoring opportunity and sent him off; He probably had little option. It did, however, kill the game as a contest following an interesting 45 minutes in which either side could have taken the lead. Rangers kicked off with the fierce sun in their eyes making it difficult when facing a number of long balls in the air. Ex Risborough man, Odumosu had the first chance for Heath with a header well wide. Soon after and the former Rangers keeper, Jack Brooker miskicked his clearance and Connolly almost caught him out with a superb chip from halfway, Brooker back peddling to tip over. A weak shot from Harding was easily dealt with by Rangers keeper, Craig Hill after ten minutes before the game settled into a combative match in the area between both penalty areas. 26 minutes in and a good ball from Rangers' Toby Nnadozie found Harry Scott, who should have scored but scuffed his effort wide from close range. Four minutes later and a firm strike from the edge of the box was well saved low down by Hill. Rangers countered and fierce effort from Fabian Etienne was parried by Brooker and scrambled clear. Rangers then survived a momentary spell when firstly, Odumosu rounded Hill, only to have Rangers skipper, Josh Urquhart, clear off the line. The resultant corner was turned goalward, Joe Fitzgerald doing well to block for another corner. The kick fell to Odumosu in front of goal but he miscued his shot and Rangers cleared. With ten minutes to half time some neat football from Rangers ended with Scott's cross picking out a stretching Lewis Toomey in the Flackwell box, but the Rangers top scorer couldn't generate the power to beat Brooker. At the other end another great tackle from Urquhart prevented Harding from breaking away. In the 45th minute the impressive Wiktor Makowski, who gave the Flackwell right-back a difficult afternoon, dispossessed his marker before cutting inside and going close with a powerful shot, the ball hitting the side netting. Moments before the break a through ball to Harding saw Sethi chasing alongside before attempting a slide tackle that sent the striker to the ground. A free kick was awarded and the card produced. With the free kick coming to nothing the whistle blew, leaving Rangers manager, Mark Eaton, with a very different team talk than the one he had probably planned.

Rangers started the second half with a back three and Flackwell took little time in making the man advantage count when, three minutes in, Malin hit a powerful shot into the top corner from the edge of the box after Rangers failed to clear their lines. Rangers tried to hit back and good work from Scott to set up Toomey whose attempted lob was dealt with by Brooker. Flackwell doubled their lead in the 55th minute when a good through ball and a clever run from Harding saw him turn and score from a tight angle with a fine finish. A further ten minutes passed before Odumosu dribbled into the Rangers area shadowed by Connolly. Odumosu went down easily and the referee pointed to the spot. It looked harsh and Connolly protested with the suggestion that the player had dived, before being yellow carded and sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes, leaving Rangers with nine men. Odumosu himself took the penalty kick and justice appeared to be done when Hill produced a great save and Urquhart cleared the loose ball. Nine man Rangers almost pulled one back when Makowski was denied by the feet of Brooker following a great run. With a two man advantage it was only a matter of time before Flackwell added a third and on 70 minutes Odumosu finally got his goal, volleying home from close range following a free-kick from yet another former Ranger, Lewis Patrick, was nodded down. The fifth former Risborough man, substitute Marcus Mealing, entered the fray with a good run before shooting well wide of the far post. Things evened up a little with the return of Connolly and soon after, Makowski, with his back to goal volleyed over his shoulder straight at Brooker. A neat move down the middle of the park between Makowski and Etienne ended with Brooker again saving at the edge of his box. Good work from Makowski to set up Toomey saw the veteran striker's effort blocked as Rangers continued to search for a consolation. In time added on Brooker was forced to punch clear under pressure before a clever move from the visitors saw Makowski turn and shoot straight at him.

There can be no doubt that the sending off had a huge effect on this game. Flackwell Heath are a very good side, yet Rangers matched them for 45 minutes. If one considers that the visitors were down to nine men for ten minutes of this game, they did well to keep the score down against a potent strike force. What is worrying for Rangers is the disciplinary record, with a red card costing them dearly yet again. With two very influential players missing this game because of suspensions, they could very well do without adding to their woes.

Rangers Man of the Match: Wiktor Makowski. Despite everything, Wiktor's skill and work rate made him stand out. He kept going until the end and gave his marker a tough afternoon, particularly the right back. Always ready to have a go at goal but just as likely to set others up (I dare say Flackwell will be looking to add him to their list now!!!).