Heathens Make It Hard

Risborough Rangers travelled to an in form Flackwell Heath on Saturday anxious to get back to winning ways in the league following their first defeat of the season in their previous match at Ardley. In a game of few clear chances Rangers struggled to settle in a first half where neither side dominated, although it would be fair to say that the young Heathens played the more attractive football. The first chance fell to the visitors in the 11th minute when Alex Kedzierski pounced on a flick to shoot just wide. Flackwell grew in confidence and on 20 minutes Jack Brooker in the Risborough goal made a good catch to take a dangerous cross following some good build up play from the home side. 10 minutes later and Flackwell's first shot on target gave them the lead, though slightly fortuitously. A free kick just outside the Rangers area took a huge deflection off the visitors wall and with Brooker wrong footed the ball bobbled into the opposite corner of his net. Despite the deflection the home side deserved their lead as Rangers' play looked disjointed at times. In the final 15 minutes of the half Rangers tried hard to redress the situation, firstly with Josh Fox's cross half cleared to Kedzierski whose volley produced an excellent save from the Heath goalkeeper, saving with his feet. A minute later and Flackwell failed to clear a corner and two close range efforts were expertly blocked by the home teams dogged defence. Moments before the break and Kieron Schmidt's free kick to the back post was headed onto the crossbar by Josh Urquhart. In the follow up the home keeper was fouled and a rare chance went begging.

Whatever was said in the Rangers dressing room at half time certainly had an effect on the visitors. Marcus Wyllie saw more of the ball and it was he who had the first chance of the second half, cutting in from the left and shooting just over. Moments later and the excellent Urquhart made a great tackle as last man at the other end. More Rangers pressure ensued and it finally paid off in the 65th minute when they were awarded a penalty for handball. If Flackwell's goal had some good fortune, one might argue that so did Rangers' but whatever camp you are in, it was clearly handball and sometimes they are given and sometimes not. Wyllie was unconcerned however and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to even things up. Six minutes later and Rangers took the lead and there was certainly no luck involved this time. Fox sent in a deep cross to Urquhart who headed back toward goal. Sean Coles kept it alive by cleverly flicking the ball on and at the near post Liam Enver-Marum leapt highest to loop a header into the top corner. It was a clever piece of agility from the tall striker; from a standing jump with the ball slightly behind him he managed to get just enough power on the ball to force it home. Flackwell rallied and Brooker comfortably saved a decent strike. Straight back to the other end and Wyllie skied his shot from a good position. Urquhart made another great tackle to avert more danger as the game rocked end to end and again, Wyllie cut in from the left and again shot over. During time added on Brooker pushed a low shot away for a corner, although it looked to be going wide. From the resultant corner a challenge brought a shout for a penalty from Flackwell but the referee was having none of it and Rangers broke away. Some good work from Coles and young Bailey Osborne ended with Wyllie shooting just over from 14 yards. The final minutes saw Rangers resolutely see out the game.

A good second half come back and a hard earned win against a very good young Flackwell Heath side. Rangers showed character in the second half and the relief was evident. It was good to see youth team player, Bailey Osborne make his first appearance in a first team shirt and he certainly showed enough to suggest he will be making many more.

Rangers Man of the Match: Josh Urquhart. There were several good displays, especially second half where the midfield trio won their battle, but for me the fact that Flackwell were limited to few real chances comes from the defence and Josh and Aaron Jewell especially stood out with Josh getting the nod for some wonderfully timed tackles, as well as not missing a header all game and having a hand in the winning goal.