Risborough Rangers travelled to Oxford City's Court Place Farm Stadium to take on Spartan South Mid's Division One side, Long Crendon, in the League Challenge Trophy last Tuesday night and recorded a four nil win. Long Crendon, who sit fourth in the division below, put up a brave fight, but Rangers proved too strong with an impressive display. It cannot be denied that on the night the Risborough team dominated from start to finish, playing some scintillating football on the 3G surface, with Long Crendon chasing the ball for much of the game. The home side did have some worthy chances however and could have punished the visitors for some sloppy play on more than one occasion. With the visitors forced to start the match without a recognised centre back, with midfielders Ben Sturgess and Alex Kedzierski filling the roles, there may have been some cause for concern, but the result was never in doubt from the first minute as Rangers set off at a stunning pace. Left back, Lewis Patrick was the first to register a shot after just one minute and a minute later he followed up with another, dragged just wide of the far post. Soon after the impressive Marcus Wyllie squared to Asher Yearwood, who also shot wide from a great position. Next up was Keiron Schmidt, who fired over the Long Crendon bar from the edge of the box. Bertie Squire-Adams showed his frustration after sending in a telling cross that was begging to be guided home, but their were no takers. On the quarter hour mark a Rangers corner found Gavin James whose volley was brilliantly tipped around the post by the Long Crendon keeper. The home side looked shell shocked as Rangers continued to pile forward and their defensive line was finally breeched when Patrick again forged forward. His fierce strike was brilliantly parried by the keeper but only as far as James, who calmly finished with a side foot volley. Rangers never let up and Yearwood should have scored following a corner, sliding the ball inches past the post. Schmidt then volleyed wide from a Wyllie cross. The inevitable second goal came following some excellent one touch football around the Long Crendon area before Wyllie slid the ball to right back, Squire-Adams, who finished with a fine shot from an acute angle. Half an hour in and Long Crendon almost pulled one back after a poor cross-field pass was picked off on the edge of the Rangers penalty area and the visitors were grateful to see the shot go wide. Three minutes later and Rangers added a third. Another phase of impressive, quick passing in the build up and Wyllie, this time coming in from the Rangers' right, cleverly threaded the ball to Schmidt to score from a couple of yards out. It was a worthy reward after some great football. Rangers wanted more and James almost scored when he glided past the keeper before some excellent defending denied him in front of goal. Shortly after, Wyllie's free kick beat the wall and the crossbar. James was again in the action with a great turn and shot, clipping the bar. Five minutes before the break and Patrick crossed to the far post for Wyllie sliding in, the striker unlucky not to score. In the closing minutes of the half the home side squandered two very good chances when another defensive error forced Rangers keeper, Jack Brooker, to block on the edge of his area and then save the follow up at the feet of Letheridge.

The second half contained less goalmouth action as Rangers looked content to keep the ball and let the home side chase with the visitors enjoyed long periods of possession with some comfortable phases of play. The best chance of the opening minutes came to Patrick as he cut in from the left to fire inches wide of the far post, with the keeper rooted. A rare Long Crendon corner on the hour was headed well over by former Rangers stalwart, James Shrimpton, who worked his socks off for the home side. Squire -Adam's cross was well taken by the home keeper before, minutes later, Wyllie forced an excellent save with his low shot, followed by Evans Lamboh firing the loose ball back across the face of the goal, nobody able to get a touch. Some neat play between James and Lamboh led to a penalty shout after a challenge on Lamboh. Rangers had to settle for the corner with James' excellent header producing an equally excellent save. Squire-Adams then picked out Lamboh, who should score, his low shot wide of the open goal. The visitors' fourth goal came following a move beginning deep in the Rangers half. The back four worked the ball back and across before playing into midfield. More neat possession play followed before the ball landed at the feet of Wyllie who cut inside and fired in a low shot that was helped into the net by a retreating defender. Whether it was an own goal or it goes down to the clubs top scorer is debatable but it was thoroughly deserved following the prior approach play. In the final minutes a welcome return from Sam Pekun saw the tricky winger send in a dangerous cross for Wyllie, his header saved. At the other end a Long Crendon free kick was deflected off for a corner and again Shrimpton headed over. Rangers came back and some good play by Lamboh found Wyllie, whose cross was cut out at full stretch with Pekun waiting to pounce. It was the final action on a night where Rangers really found their mo,jo!

Credit must be given to Long Crendon, who caught Rangers on a very good night. They battled hard all evening and never gave up where others might have, showing why they are doing so well in the division below. Also credit to the referee, Lyn McGregor, who had an excellent game without fuss, take note assessors!

Rangers travel to Arlesey Town on Saturday for a tough league fixture before returning home for Tuesday night's league game versus London Colney. kick off 7.45pm

Rangers Man of the Match: Marcus Wyllie. Created so much that was good going forward. Scoring and assisting twice. Back to his best in a great all round team performance.