Last gasp goal earns Rangers a point against an experienced Milton
Bob Rayner reports from the KAMTECH Stadium
Rangers began their Combined Counties Premier Division campaign with a hard earned draw on Tuesday night when they battled back from a goal with a last minute goal against Milton United. Mark Jones and his new look young side showed a lot of grit against a Milton an established Milton in a game in which both teams had good spells. United started brightly with Rangers forced to defend a couple of early breaks. The home side hit back with Muchechetere's shot blocked before Smith was played in, his volley going over. Five minutes in and Rangers' Enow showed good feet before his effort from close range was blocked. At the other end Fitzgerald was forced to make a timely tackle to deny Milton from a good position. Soon after and United's winger cut in from to fire across the face of the goal, allowing Rangers to counter, with Enow making space for himself before shooting straight at the keeper. In the 22nd minute Rangers' Chapple produced a clever turn but his shot was well wide. Milton went close moments later with a half volley into the Risborough side netting. A great chance came Rangers' way in the 30th minute when keeper O'Neill, who had a fine game, hit a long pass through to Muchechetere, the Rangers striker tried to lob the advancing United keeper but shot wide. The visiting keeper did well four minutes later, taking a high ball under pressure from Enow. United broke and secnds later had the ball in the Rangers net but the flag was up for a clear offside. Close to 40 minutes a great move by Rangers ended with Jellal's shot turned away for a corner, the subsequent kick easily dealt with. O'Neill did well under the high ball as Milton forced a couple of corners just before the break with the score at nil-nil.
The second period began with an early Rangers corner causing little trouble to the visitors. Fitzgerald then did well to head clear a dangerous United cross. A minute later and a fierce whipped free kick by Milton went just wide. Rangers came back with a driving run from Muchechetere, his final effort just past the post. Two minutes later and Enow went close following a good run, the keeper parrying his shot with Muchechetere unable to capitalise on the loose ball. As so often happens, those missed opportunities come back to haunt you and in the 56th minute United corner was whipped across the face of the Rangers goal and Milton's Sturgess was on hand to head home from close range to give them the lead. A buoyed United put some pressure on Rangers with a series of free kicks as the home side lost their shape for a period. A slight respite for Rangers saw Abldeen-Goodridge's shot deflected for a corner but Milton were soon on the attack again as O'Neill made a neat save at his near post. The last fifteen twelve minutes saw Milton look to consolidate, with injuries and other tactics slowing the play. With the visitors sitting deeper Rangers began to get a hold with a free kick from Butt turned away for a corner and several free kicks a corners later, Enow got onto the end of a far post ball with the goal gaping. His header rapped the underside of the crossbar but somehow stayed out. It was the 45th minute and the home faithful must have thought that was the last chance, but four minutes later Rangers got their reward after some great combination work between Abldeen-Goodridge and Enow, the latter fizzing in a great cross for Muchechetere to powerfully head into the net. The final couple of minutes saw Rangers probe for a winner but with Milton in determined mood a draw was the right result.
Rangers showed some great character against a decent side, never giving up. This team is a work in progress but there was plenty of promise on show.
Rangers Man of the Match: Gerald Muchechetere. Work really hard up top and never allowed his markers to rest. Could have had a couple of goals but the finish for his equaliser was excellent.