Points Shared

Rangers entertained Harrow based Broadfields United in their last home game of the season at the Kamtech Stadium on Saturday with both sides sharing the points in a one all draw. Broadfields were still in with a chance of a play-off place before the game but their chances must be slimmer now after dropping two points, whereas Rangers, sitting in mid-table, were keen to bounce back after a disappointing evening at Wokingham the previous Tuesday. In an entertaining match Rangers began the brightest with West firing over from the edge of the box early on following a good run by James. Soon after and Toomey was denied by a well timed tackle. Six minutes in and Sturgess' shot was well blocked and moments later the same player set Hackett away, his shot-cum-cross flashing across the face of the United goal-mouth. United then forced a corner that was well defended by Gilmore's header, before West was caught in possession in a dangerous area and Rangers keeper, Hill, saved his blushes with an excellent save low down. Broadfields should have scored 15 minutes in when Toomey's back-pass was intercepted and with United players in abundance homing in on Hill's goal they somehow contrived to mess up the chance better than 'Fred Karno's Army' could have done! Rangers countered and a good ball from Hackett had Sturgess stretching and missing by a toenail. Gilmore again came to home sides rescue with a timely tackle in the Rangers area as the game ebbed and flowed. Next up and James headed over Hackett's cross from close range and at the other end a low shot was wide of Hill's far post. Some good work by West and Hackett led to Toomey getting on the end of a great through ball but the normally reliable striker couldn't adjust his feet as the ball bobbled mercilessly on the bobbly surface. As the half neared 40 minutes a free kick by Hackett was headed straight at the keeper by Toomey. Toomey got his goal three minutes later when a superb ball by Sturgess, who was back to his best, set James away. The nippy wingman crossed into the box for Toomey to guide the ball over the line from close range for his 25th goal of the season.

Rangers began the second half in similar fashion with James firing wide after two minutes. Fifteen minutes into the half and Rangers should have doubled their lead when Smith sent a great pass out to James before continuing his run into the United box where he met James' pinpoint cross at the far post, only to volley over an empty goal from a yard out. It was a costly miss! From the resultant goal-kick United countered and Thorne made a challenge in the Rangers box that was deemed a foul and a penalty was awarded. It looked harsh and certainly against the run of play, yet somehow summed up Rangers' season. United's Tompkins did the honours to level the score. Rangers worked hard to find a winner with James run and cross well taken by the keeper and West heading just wide during a short spell of pressure. Peake-Pijnen, Rangers' left back tried to emulate his wonder goal at Edgware on 75 minutes, but there was to be no Peaky Blinder this week with his shot a couple of yards wide. With ten minutes to go it was the visitors that looked the most likely as Rangers sat back with Hill making a great save at his near post before then dealing well with a dangerous corner at the second attempt. In the final minute Broadfields did have the ball in the net but a clear foul on Hill meant a free kick to Rangers and even by United's standards, their complaints were half hearted. The last action of the game saw a United header well wide of the far post. In the end it was a fair result and Rangers can be pleased with a decent display against a decent side after the embarrassment of last Tuesday. Rangers have two games left, both away, starting on Tuesday night at Holyport, 7.45pm KO and then the following Saturday at Harefield United, 3pm KO. Hopefully the team can build on this result and finish the season on a high.

Rangers Man of the Match: Ben Sturgess. Ben was back to his best today with a hard working selfless display interspersed with some fine passing. A player that can set the tone for the teams performance.