Rangers Run Ends At Ardley

Bob Rayner reports as undefeated League run comes to an end.

I knew that one day I would have to witness the end of this incredible run by Risborough Rangers and so it is, as I report on their latest league match at Ardley United and as so often happens in theses situations it was all over in an unspectacular fashion. Rangers had managed to remain unbeaten in their previous 52 league games over a period including their final three games in the Spartan South Midland League in the 2018/19 season, two Covid hit seasons in the Hellenic League (total of 29) and 20 league games to date now back in the SSML. Over that period there have been several personnel changes to the team as the manager has strengthened but at least six of the current squad have played over the full period including goalkeeper, Jack Brooker and Saturday's skipper, Josh Urquhart, who both started at Ardley. As mentioned earlier, this game was an unspectacular event on a very sticky surface, United deserving the win with Brooker forced into making several excellent saves.

Rangers faced up the steep slope in the first half and were pressed in for the opening few minutes with Ardley clearly up for the game and the chance to end the 'run'. The first real chance however, came the way of the visitors after eight minutes when Asher Yearwood crossed to the far post and Liam Enver-Marum shot into the side netting. Three minutes later and the decisive goal arrived, and what a gift it was! Alex Kedzierski headed away a cross from the Rangers left as Brooker inexplicably coming wide from his goal to claim it. With the ball landing at the feet of a United player 25 yards from goal, it was a fairly simple task of lofting the ball into an empty goal, which was carried out with aplomb. Brooker redeemed himself with a smart stop shortly after, saving a close range effort. Soon after Enver-Marum curled a shot around a group of players and into the arms of the Ardley keeper. Rangers best chance of the half came in the 25th minute following Adam Morris's corner. Urquhart saw his powerful header cleared off the line and in the ensuing melee two more close range efforts for Rangers were remarkably cleared off the line. United hit back and a good move and shot produced another excellent save from Brooker, tipping the shot onto the foot of the post with Kedzierski clearing the rebound. For the next ten minutes the game stuttered with too many stops and starts as the free kicks mounted up on both sides. It came back to life five minutes before the break as Kieron Schmidt fired in a shot, saved low down. United countered and a dangerous strike across the face of the Risborough goalmouth just needed a touch. The break arrived just after Enver-Marum's goal-bound effort was well blocked by an outstretched leg.

With Rangers going down the notorious slope their fans expectations were high but it was Ardley that had the better of the opening minutes of the second period with Brooker pulling off a great save, diving to his right to tip away. The Ardley keeper was next to make a decent save as he tipped away Sean Coles' chip, although he still needed his defender to clear the loose ball. Rangers pressed for an equaliser and thought they had one when Marcus Mealing fired home following good work by Coles, only to see it disallowed for a foul somewhere in the build up. It looked a bit harsh. Another big moment came for the visitors in the 63rd minute when Mealing's on target strike was brilliantly cleared of the line by some heroic defending. With 15 minutes remaining, substitute Marcus Wyllie went on a superb run before setting up Yearwood, whose on target shot was again well blocked, Mealing chipping over the bar with the follow up. Not long after and Mealing sent his free kick through the Ardley wall and straight into the grateful grasp of the United custodian. Wyllie then produced a nice shimmy and shot, fumbled by the home keeper but with no one to follow up for Rangers, Ardley cleared the danger. With four minutes to go Ardley broke well and Brooker was again forced into a good save. There was one more chance for Rangers when a decent cross from Yearwood was just taken off the head of Wyllie by a fine catch. Ardley used all their experience, which is plentiful, to see out the game in the closing minutes and secure the win. At the final whistle in what seemed like a testament to the visitors previous achievements, the home side celebrated the highlight of their season like a cup win, having ended Rangers long unbeaten run.

It was odd to see the Ardley team receive an ovation as they left the field and not the team that had just gone 52 previous games unbeaten! Funny game, football. If I were the Ardley manager I'd congratulate my players on a job well done, and then I'd want to know why they don't play like that every game and why they are not challenging Risborough Rangers for the title instead of sitting mid table! As for Rangers, they tried to get back into the game second half but Ardley didn't allow them and when they did have chances, Rangers were not clinical enough. Rangers will be hurt by the defeat because they are 'winners' but it's one game over a season and they will bounce back stronger.

Rangers Man of the Match: Alex Kedzierski. One again forced to play centre back rather than his preferred centre midfield, AK battled hard in a physical game, winning his battles, making tackles and clearing up around the back.