Match report by Bob Rayner

Rangers finally looked like the side they have threatened to be in this local derby versus Aylesbury Vale on Tuesday night at the Kamtech Stadium. In a game in which they enjoyed a large portion of possession they turned chances into goals to run out winners by four goals to one. In previous games, particularly at Winslow, this Rangers squad have looked on the verge of producing something good and Tuesday night it finally came together. Kicking down the slope in the first half Rangers were one up after five minutes when Harry Stratton set up Andrei Chiriac, the Rangers winger firing a low shot goal-wards that was turned in by Keano Robinson from close range. Five minutes later a good move down Vale's left saw Risborough's George Wallace and Joe Lawal combine well, the latter firing just past the far post. Two minutes later a dangerous cross by Wallace was scrambled clear. Vale countered and Rangers defender, Ollie Sprague made a superb saving tackle as the visitors threatened. As the quarter hour mark approached Rangers doubled their lead when Stratton threaded a ball through to skipper, Elliot Buchanan, to slide the ball past the advancing keeper for a cool finish. Vale pulled one back five minutes later when Rangers failed to recover from a mistake and in the ensuing action Opocu was fouled in the box and a penalty awarded, duly despatched by Aylesbury's Baldwin. Rangers resumed play and continued to enjoy good possession as they probed a resilient Vale defence. Exauce Kifwasima sent in a good cross that was well taken by the Vale keeper following a good move. Chiriac cleverly dribbled deep into the visitors box before being dispossessed by a fine tackle. On the stroke of half time a fierce shot from Lawal was parried, the Vale keeper recovering just in time to deny the lurking Buchanan. Some neat work from Kifwasima and Chiriac created a chance for Lawal, whose eventual effort was high over the bar.

Lawal continued the second half in hungry fashion with a good run and shot across the face of the goal, just past the far post. A few minutes later and he was again in the action following good work by Chiriac, this time his strike deflected away from danger. Vale then enjoyed their best moment when putting Rangers under strong pressure with a series of corners, the home side defending desperately, with one shot fired wide, a glancing header deflected for a corner and soon after, hitting the woodwork following a good save from Ben Bridle-Card, Jordan Ajanlekoko clearing the loose ball. Rangers recovered their composure and Buchanan broke through to feed Stratton, the midfielder unable to get his connection quite right and the ball skidded harmlessly wide. Moments later and Stratton was neatly set up by Lawal, this time connecting well but firing just over from the edge of the area. Sprague made another good covering tackle as Vale searched for an equaliser before another sweeping attack by Rangers saw Wallace's cross well taken by the keeper. On 65 minutes a surging run by Stratton saw the Vale defence open up before he fired wide of the far post. Kifwasimi and Chiriac combined again to force a corner, the resultant kick found Rangers' hard-working midfielder, Stefan Powell, whose driving shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar. The following corner kick was only half cleared and Buchanan's volley was parried and then smothered. As Vale countered, Alanlekoko was on hand to tidy up and Rangers were soon on the attack again, Chiriac's shot straight at the keeper. Vale then had two near post crosses in quick succession, Bridle-Card coping easily with both. The goal of the game came in the 78th minute as Wallace followed up a good interception with a fine ball up to Lawal; the Rangers winger still had much to do but and despite being surrounded in the corner he somehow whipped in an excellent cross for Buchanan to rise and head powerfully home from six yards. Rangers weren't happy to stop there and continued to search for another goal and they were rewarded in the 84th minute when Lawal capitalised on a loose ball and raced down the line before cutting the ball back to substitute, Alex Cathline, who fired powerfully into the roof of the net for his third goal of the season. Vale were not done yet however, Bridle-Card forced into a good save as the game entered injury time. There was still time to see Micah Williams and Paul Chukwuma show their skills, with the former eventually screwing his shot wide. A good win for Rangers and hopefully just the tonic before they take on Virginia Water at home this Saturday in the FA Cup. Kick Off at the Kamtech Stadium is 3pm.