Despite dominating for long periods of play, Risborough returned home empty handed from their trip to high flying Cockfosters – though if two early gilt-edged chances had been taken the outcome could have been completely different.

On five minutes a Rangers corner routine saw Andrei Chiriac drift into the home sides area and fire off an effort that, despite a touch from Cockfosters keeper Connor Samson, seemed to go over the line. Andrei wheeled away in celebration but the officials disagreed and no goal was given. Three minutes later Elliott Buchanan sent in a wonderful low cross that was met by Rio Connell almost on the goal-line but somehow the ball was scooped over the bar.

As in many recent games, Rangers were made to pay for not taking their chances. On 11 minutes a sloppy back pass was seized upon by Kendal Gyamfi who set up Junior Mubiayi to put his strike beyond Ben Bridle-Card. The home side had hardly been out of their own half yet they were a goal up.

Things got worse for the visitors on 33 minutes when another loose ball was fed to Gyamfi who out muscled the Rangers defence to shoot past Bridle-Card. Just before the break Cockfosters lively Junior Moses saw his shot saved by Bridle-Card whilst one further effort was expertly air-kicked by a Cockfosters forward much to the relief of the visiting defence.

The second period saw Rangers play some decent football but without troubling Samson. The home side were seemingly content to protect their lead and play on the break (along with some cringe-worthy time-wasting tactics). On 62 minutes, however, they extended their lead as a half cleared corner fell invitingly to Luca Gordon on the edge of the area and his perfectly hit half volley flew past Bridle-Card. Great goal.

Rangers gave themselves a slim lifeline on 75 minutes when Buchanan hit an effort past Samson but that was as good as it got for Risborough who were also grateful to see a last minute Cockfosters effort rebound off a post to keep the score-line respectable.

Next up is another away trip round the M25, to play Colney Heath on Saturday 8 November