AK Sinks Athletic In The Mud

On a muddy and bumpy surface this game was never going to be a classic and so it proved, but once again Rangers found a way to take the points despite a very spirited performance from Tring Athletic. The visitors defended well and had some good moments of possession too, though it must be said that Jack Brooker in the Rangers goal was never tested, unlike his opposing number, who made several top class stops to deny Rangers. Tring started well but it was Rangers that had the first effort when Adam Morris' free kick was glanced wide by Alex Kedzierski. Tring broke and a poor clearance by Brooker saw the keeper forced to tackle at the expense of a corner. For the next quarter of an hour both sides enjoyed moments of possession as the ball changed hands often, Rangers looking the most likely. 24 minutes in and a good move from Rangers saw the normally deadly Marcus Wyllie fire wide from the angle. Another clever move ended with Kieron Schmidt's flick gathered by the keeper. Moments later and Athletic's goalkeeper made a very good save off Marcus Mealing following more nice play from the home side. From the resultant corner he followed this save up with the save of the match, tipping over Asher Yearwood's powerful header. Minutes later and Schmidt made a great break and could have slipped in the unmarked Liam Enver-Marum, but the midfielder held on too long and the ball was nicked away. Another corner for the home side and Jenmael Prosper's header was well saved. Lewis Patrick was next with a chance, his strike deflected for a corner. A neat one, two between Schmidt and Wyllie saw the latter tackled at the expense of yet another corner. The corner was headed goalward and a melee in the six yard box resulted in Wyllie apparently pulled down by the Tring keeper, the referee waving play on. It was a close call! Next up was Mealing, whose shot was blocked by some desperate defending. On the stroke of half time Tring forced a corner, easily dealt with by the home side.

Three minutes into the second period and Schmidt fired high over the bar. Soon after Wyllie turned nicely and fired weakly straight at the keeper. Rangers forced a series of corners as Tring struggled to clear their lines. 10 minutes on and Wyllie fired off a decent strike that was deflected for another corner. A rare shot from distance by Tring on 60 minutes sailed high over Brooker's crossbar. It was the start of a good spell for the visitors however and with Rangers forced to reconfigure their back four through injury, Tring kept the ball in the Rangers half for long periods without creating any real chances. As the game approached its final 15 minutes Rangers re-found their momentum and a good move by the home side ended with Schmidt's first time strike just wide of the far post. A decent free kick from Laurence Clark was then scrambled away. In the 78th minute the same player delivered a good ball in from another free kick, out on Rangers' right, Mealing met it and his effort hit the foot of the Tring post. The ball was scrambled out only as far as Kedzierski who fired home despite the best efforts of the keeper, to the relief of most of the 237 spectators, giving Rangers the lead. Tring tried their best to get back into the game but with Rangers makeshift defence soaking everything up, there was no way through. The home sides reaction at the final whistle showed how much the result meant, and it showed too, how well Tring had tested them (with a little more fire power Tring will surely avoid the drop. They have a decent defence and a hard working midfield). Rangers are at home again next Saturday in the league when they play Leighton Town. Kick off 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Alex Kedzierski. As a great midfield player he makes a very decent centre back. Mobile, athletic and strong. Reads the game well and can play out from the back. An excellent all round performance from AK, and he scored the winner too!