FA Cup Disappointment

Rangers bowed out of the FA Cup at the first attempt last Saturday, going down to the only goal of the game at home to Holyport. Holyport were well worth their win with a very disciplined performance that stifled Rangers at every opportunity. The opening minutes were as expected with both teams probing, the ball rarely leaving the midfield areas. The first chance fell to the visitors, who were always a threat on the break, after Rangers keeper Alfie Bonfield miscued his clearance straight to the feet of a Holyport player. Fortunately for Rangers he too miscued and screwed his effort well wide. Rangers countered with Liam Enver-Marum cutting in from the right before firing over. 10 minutes in and Kieran Schmidt volleyed across the face of the Holyport goal with Enver-Marum stretching at the far post. Two minutes later and it was Asher Yearwood stretching at the far post, just unable to turn the ball home as Rangers enjoyed a good spell. Bonfield bravely cleared the danger at the other end as Holyport threatened, picking up an injury in the process. Risborough's Jordan Heggie then fired just wide after Schmidt's shot was blocked. Holyport countered with a good move down their left, the final ball flashing across the goalmouth with no takers. Rangers broke and Jefferson Louis' strong run and cross was gathered at the near post. Back came Holyport with another fine move, Bonfield saving well from the resultant shot. 39 minutes and the visitors took the lead after Rangers lost the ball in the middle of their half. The ball was worked in to Port's Hunt on the edge of the box, who cleverly worked some space before rifling home with a low shot. A couple of minutes before half time and Rangers forced a corner that was half cleared to Schmidt whose low strike was well held.

The opening minute of the second period saw Josh Fox's low cross gathered at the near post. Moments later and Louis set up Yearwood, his effort easy for the keeper. A loose effort from Schmidt on the angle was well over the bar before Enver-Marum whipped in a cross with Louis just unable to make contact. Heggie then showed some nice skills to set himself up but his effort was straight at the keeper, as was a Fox free kick two minutes later. Five minutes later and the nippy Rangers left back fired a low angled shot, missing the far post by a whisker. It was all Rangers now as Port camped in numbers in front of their goal. Centre-half Ellis Hercules strode forward to fire just wide after a neat lay off by Louis. Holyport pounced on a mistake and a rare attack by them led to a corner, followed by a free header over the bar. Shortly after it should have been two nil after a Holyport striker burst into the Rangers area and was bundled down for what looked a clear penalty, and quite possibly a sending off for Hercules, but to the amazement of most spectators, the referee waved play on, leaving the visitors bench a little irate. As Rangers countered, Curtis Brown found Bailey Osborne with a fine cross, Osborne's shot turned wide. The closing minutes saw Rangers peppering the Holyport goal area with shots and crosses, with the visitors defending brilliantly to ensure the clean sheet that would send them into the next round to face Ascot United.

A second 1-0 defeat in a row. Despite again enjoying lots of possession Rangers failed to hit the net. With Holyport defending deep and in numbers the home side never got in behind them. Rangers were allowed to play in front and they did, but the truth is, the Holyport keeper was rarely troubled. Hopefully Rangers can find their pre-season scoring form again before this coming Saturday's league fixture at the BEP Stadium against Hoddesdon Town. Kick off is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Ben Sturgess. Rangers back four defended well when called upon, especially the two centre halves but it was Struge that caught the eye with his support going forward. Always a competitor in the air and tackle, however, in attack some of his crosses deserved better. Leads by example.