You just knew that was a game that would have goals when both sides spurned great chances in the opening sixty seconds! Almost straight from the kick-off Harpenden’s Harry Jones sent a good chance just over whilst a cross from Rangers Josh Williams seconds later set up Rio Connell who really should have buried the golden opportunity.

On six minutes Elliott Buchanan sent a snap-shot just wide but a minute later Rangers did take the lead. Williams danced his way trough the home defence and pulled the ball back perfectly for the on-rushing Exauce ‘EK’ Kifwasima to slam past Connor Freeman.

The following twenty minutes then saw Risborough produce a wave of attacks that really should have added to their score. Rio saw a fine effort well saved by Freeman and two corners from the winger had to be cleared off the Harpenden line, the first a header from Keano Robinson and the second an effort from Jordan ‘AJ’ Ajanlekoko. Williams was a constant menace to the home defence, some great crosses only narrowly missing out from a Rangers connection.

Harpenden, however, are a decent team – they thumped Cockfosters away just three days earlier - and the lively Jones hit the Rangers post on 34 minutes. Most of the chances, though, continued to fall to Rangers which is why it was gutting to concede almost on the stroke of half-time when, very much against the run of play, Jones found space to fire past a wrong footed Ben Bridle-Card.

Refusing to be fazed by this, Rangers set about Harpenden the moment the whistle blew for the second period. Williams, Rio, Niko Muir and Elliott Buchanan all had highly presentable chances as Risborough penned the home defence in their own half. The pressure finally told on 58 minutes when another mazy Williams run saw the ball pulled back into the path of Rio to calmly stroke past Freeman.

Two became three on 65 minutes when a great pass from Muir found Williams who once again pulled the ball back to an unmarked Connell to guide it past Freeman. Rangers fans truly were in dreamland two minutes later when a great team move resulted in the lively Williams scoring his well-deserved goal. Wonderful football.

The last twenty minutes saw Manager Gary Meakin use all five of his substitutes, all of whom came in and seamlessly did their jobs to see the game out and ensure all three points returned to the CMG Stadium.

Not only was this a great result for Rangers, it was also a great performance, the hard pre-season training really paying dividends. Hopefully the season will have a lot more days like these, starting with this Saturday’s FA Cup tie away at Abingdon United.

Come On The Ris!