Fifty Up

Bob Rayner reports on a historic day for Rangers

When Mark Eaton took on the role of first team manager at Risborough Rangers the first team were second bottom of the Spartan South Midland League Division One. They finished the season in a creditable seventh place following a tremendous run and won the Division One Cup. They were unbeaten in their final three league games of that season before being moved across to the Hellenic League where, following two Covid hit seasons and a record of 26 wins, three draws and no defeats, they were given the promotion they deserved and moved back to the Spartan South Midlands League. Since their elevation to step five they are undefeated in 18 league games, with this latest 4-1 victory over Oxhey Jets making a total of 50 consecutive league games unbeaten. Many of the team from Eaton's early games are still members of the squad and new faces have been added but there is one constant, the Manager, and whilst I know that he will always give credit to his players, he has been the driving force behind the teams success with his attention to detail and motivation of his of players. His hard work and obsessive expectations sets a great example to the players and the people behind the scenes at Rangers. Well done to all those involved in this remarkable run and Mark, if you read this, take a pat on the back for yourself.

Saturday's game against Oxhey Jets couldn't have started more brightly for the hosts, taking the lead in the second minute. Sean Coles raced through for a 50-50 ball with the Jets keeper. Coles came first and poked the ball out to Marcus Mealing, who smashed the ball home to the delight of the 185 attendance. Mealing then almost got a second after being set up by Marcus Wylllie, curling his angled shot inches wide. Rangers kept up the pressure with Lewis Patrick's low cross nicked off the toe of Mealing. 20 minutes in and Wyllie created some space for the shot only to shoot over following a nasty bobble on the unforgiving pitch. Soon after, Adam Morris's free kick was headed high and wide by Josh Urquhart. Jack Brooker, in the Rangers goal, made his first proper save on 26 minutes holding on to a low shot at his near post. Some neat play between Kieron Schmidt and Coles almost opened up and the half clearance fell to Patrick, whose fierce drive was pushed around the post by the diving keeper. Jets broke and a cross-shot fell harmlessly into the side netting. A Rangers free kick saw Morris beat the wall but straight into the arms of the the Jets keeper. With five minutes to the break a clever corner involving Morris and Schmidt ended with the former forcing a fine save with a stinging shot. From the resultant corner Coles' header at the back post was deflected into the keepers arms. The half ended with a rare Jets attack when a free header was fortuitously sent straight into the arms of Brooker. It was a warning that possession and chances do not equal goals.

Rangers came out quickly for the second half with Coles having the ball in the net after one minute, only to be cancelled out by the offside flag. It hardly mattered though as two minutes later the hosts doubled their lead. Live-wire Coles forced a good save at the near post, with the rebound headed over the bar for a corner. Morris played the corner to the feet of Schmidt who strode into the box before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net. Jets hit back and forced a good save from Brooker with a flicked header. From the corner Brooker easily saved a weak header. Jets did pull one back in the 60th minutes after Jewell was robbed on the left. The cross found its way to the back post area where a simple tap in was snapped up. From the restart Schmidt volleyed over following a good move before, soon after, Jets' hopes of a come back were dashed. A superb defence splitting pass by Ben Sturgess set up Coles to bravely score despite the close attentions of the keeper. Coles was injured in the process and had to be replaced but it was typical of a player who appears to be afraid of nothing! As the game continued Rangers forced another corner, with Jewell heading inches wide at the back post. A fourth goal was soon added and what a goal it was. Wyllie picked up the ball on the Rangers right side and turning the full back inside and out he squared to Mealing whose first touch set him up neatly to slam the ball past the diving goalkeeper. With ten minutes to go Patrick's mazy run ended with his shot well over the bar and a minute later Schmidt spotted the keeper off his line but his chip dropped harmlessly behind the net. In the closing minutes Jets had a penalty appeal turned down for what looked like a trip. It looked to be a good shout but the referee, who had an excellent game incidentally, was not convinced. There was just enough time for Mealing's glancing header to fall into the keepers reach before the whistle was blown to stretch that unbeaten run.

The milestone behind them, Rangers can now concentrate on each match at a time as they tick off the games. The manager will have his players focussed on the next game away at Holmer Green a week Thursday before the local derby against Tring here at the BEP Stadium on Monday 3rd January, kick off 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Sean Coles. The former Winslow man has become a big fans favourite at Rangers for his never say die attitude. Constantly in the action and a thorn in the side of his marker from minute one. Tenacious and committed, despite his size he will not pull out of any challenge, even against the biggest opponents. Made the first goal, scored one himself and forced a corner that led to another.