NO XMAS JOY FOR RANGERS

After plenty of noise leading up to this game Risborough travelled to league leaders Rayners Lane with a much-depleted squad missing Toby Nnadozie, Ollie Bishop, Alex Kedzierski, Wiktor Makowski, Liam Enver-Marum and Captain Josh Urqhuart with Covid. It was also the first time the team had played since the 2nd December.

Manager Mark Eaton gave a start to loanee from Southall Dylan Kearney and had under 18 youngsters Devin Ballantyne and Alfie Peake-Pijnen making up the numbers on the bench.

The game started with the home side having the majority of position and produced a good chance in 3 minutes when Elliot Buchanan headed over a cross from the right when he probably should have done better, it was an early warning sign for Rangers who looked a tad rusty. After 10 minutes the visitors grew into the game with both sides keeping good possession, Harry Scott tested both full backs twice with promising runs with the Rayners Lane players equal to the task.

Rangers suffered a further blow on 11 minutes when loanee Dylan Kearney lost possession down the right-hand side, in his endeavour to win the ball back fell on the floor in obvious distress, a long delay followed as he was helped from the field. Unfortunately, the news was not good as Dylan has suffered a serious knee injury and we wish him a speedy recovery. Matt Peake-Pijnen was brought on in an uncharacteristic position wide on the left and to be fair to Peaky he gave a very good account of himself. Rangers had their first chance Harry Scott rounded the keeper after good work from Luwero, the Rayners keeper making a smart save at his feet, Scott also demonstrated his defensive duties snuffing out an attack from the dangerous Rio Connell. Rayners took control of the game a free header was put over the bar. The pressure told and Sturgess committed a free kick on the edge of the area the resulting free kick was excellently dispatched by Kyel Reid, although like the free kick against Virginia Water he had plenty of the goal to aim for.

3 minutes later it was 2 an overlap down the right ended in a really good cross to Rio Connell who has got in front of both Fitzgerald and Connolly to head home, with the Rangers defence pointing fingers at each other. It looked like this could be a difficult afternoon for Rangers but they rallied and started growing in confidence, Rayners had a goal disallowed for offside and then Buchanan was sin binned for something he said. Rangers started keeping the ball using the extra man, the home side happy to retreat and soak up the pressure. On 41 minutes the pressure paid off, a cross field ball from Scott found new signing Fabien Etienne who strove into the Rayners half and unleashed a thunderbolt from 35 yards past Smith in the Rayners goal, it was some way of marking your debut. Rangers should have equalised when a superb ball from Sturgess found Williams at the far post for a tap the veteran striker somehow pushing the ball wide of the far post. Craig Hill was also called into action pushing a fierce shot over the bar before the half ended.

Half time 2-1

If Rayners had enjoyed the better of the first half the second was far more even with both teams keeping possession without much end product. Rangers then had another golden opportunity to equalise when Peake-Pijnen’s great cross was met by Harry Scott whose strike was cleared off the line, it was a big moment in the game and like the Williams chance before Harry will know he should have made no mistake. Rangers had a scare when a poor kick from Hill was cleared by Etienne. Rayners had a good spell with Rangers holding firm with Luwero really catching the eye in midfield with his work rate and confidence on the ball. The game became a bit of a chess match with no real breakthrough, the home side content to keep their slender league intact. Manager Mark Eaton decided to roll the dice bringing on Alfiie Branwhite for Manny Williams into a wide position, moving Peake-Pijnen into midfield and pushing Jeremiah Luwero in a more advanced position supporting Lewis Toomey. Rangers should have equalised when a great move down the left released Toomey through on goal, although under pressure from the Rayners defender, the normally reliable striker would have expected to score his shot being saved by the grateful Smith. It was another decisive moment in the game that Rangers failed to capitalise on. Rayners held out to record another win and preserve their unbeaten home record.

We never want to lose but under the circumstances Rangers put in a good performance against an impressive Rayners Lane side, regretting they didn't take the chances when presented and the wonder of how the game would have gone with a full squad to pick form. Rangers are back in action on the 30th December when they host Milton United in another big game.

Man of the Match: Jeremiah Luwero was confident under pressure and worked tirelessly for the team.