West Off With A Win.

Mark West started his reign as Rangers manager with a hard fought victory over a Hilltop side that belied their lowly position in the table. In fact the London based club played some very good football on a most difficult surface. It was a miracle that the game took place at all after the pounding the pitch took on the previous Saturday, when Rangers dispatched Wembley by five goals to nil, and only some hard work by a small but dedicated group of supporters ensured that this game went ahead. To add to the four new faces that debuted Saturday, Rangers started with two more new faces, full-back Lewis Thorne and wide man Greg Hackett. In the opening seconds Dan West fired a free-kick over the Hilltop bar from 25 yards out. The game was only two minutes old when the 'Riz' took the lead, a fine ball from Ben Sturgess out to Owen James saw the winger race to the by-line and cross for Lewis Toomey to slam home from close range. The celebrations were short lived however when a minute later Rangers defender, George Gilmore upended his man in his own penalty area and Hilltop's Mumbiny made no mistake from the spot. A quarter hour in and Gary Connolly whipped a dangerous cross across the Hilltop goal-face, the ball skimming the forehead of a diving Toomey and missing the far post by inches. In the 24th minute Ranger retook the lead after a through ball from West was finished off with aplomb by the impressive Greg Hackett. Hilltop countered with a good move, the eventual shot fired over. With nine minutes to the break a long ball over the Rangers back four was misjudged by Rangers keeper, Craig Hill, allowing Hilltop's Jamac to steal in to score. Moments before half-time a rare slip from Josh Urquhart almost let Hilltop in but the Rangers skipper recovered well to tackle and clear the danger.

With the pitch deteriorating quickly, both teams struggled at the restart. However, in the 51st minute James robbed a Hilltop defender 30 yards out from goal and raced through to give Rangers the lead for the third time in the match with a great finish. Hilltop rallied and knocked on the Rangers door for long periods with some neat football despite the muddy conditions, but with the Rangers team in a resolute mood there were few clear chances. Hill made a very good save low down halfway through the half, with Urquhart booting the loose ball to safety. Ten minutes later and Hill again, punched away under pressure, the ball eventually scrambled clear. With six minutes to go James curled a Rangers free kick just wide before Hilltop resumed their siege. With the visitors having rested the previous Saturday Rangers began to look tired as the end approached, having ploughed through this same mud at the weekend! They defended well however, a great catch from Hill right under his cross-bar was followed moments later by Sturgess hooking clear with Hilltop again threatening. In the last minute Rangers did break out and James was through on goal before being brought down unceremoniously by Olaiya, giving the referee, Mr. Matthew Barrett, no option but to produce a red card. The free kick came to nothing however and the final whistle was blown with Rangers grateful for another three points. This was a good win against a decent side. Hilltop's brilliant FA Vase run was no fluke and they showed that tonight. As for Rangers, they certainly look a threat going forward with their new frontline and they showed some grit and determination defensively in the second half when the visitors came looking for an equaliser. Next up is Saturday's game at Wokingham & Emmbrook. Kick off at Lowther Road, Wokingham is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Owen James. A fine display from the speedy winger. Did brilliantly to lay on Toomey's opening goal and created and scored his second half winner with his tenacity and cool finishing. Might have scored another if he hadn't been fouled when through on goal in the 90th minute. A thorn in the oppositions side all evening.