A match weary Rangers were forced to go to penalties in last Thursday's Spartan South Midland League Premier Division Cup second round by a competitive Harefield United. Rangers manager Mark Eaton made wholesale changes to his team with Just three of the starting line up from Tuesday night's win over Long Crendon starting this game. Two of Thursday's team were making their first appearances since coming back from long term injuries, with Alex Sethi playing his first of the season following a horrendous leg break a year ago, and club captain, Joel Read missing most of this season following an operation on his knee; neither player disappointed. With Rangers looking at three games a week for the foreseeable future as the fixtures pile up it was to be expected, but what may not have been expected was quite how well the team played! In an excellent cup tie Rangers played some great football and created numerous chances. It must be said that Harefield contributed greatly to a keen contest and they certainly came to the BEP Stadium looking for the win. Rangers stated brightly, Asher Yearwood showing his intent with a good early run and cross that deserved a finishing touch. Soon after Liam Enver-Marum's first time strike was well blocked close in. Harefield hit back with a shot well over the bar from the edge of the box. Bailey Osborne then raced down the line to square to Laurence Clark, his strike again blocked by a flying body. United countered, a lofted free kick headed high over the bar. On the quarter hour mark good work by Enver-Marum set up Osborne, the keeper saving well before Sean Coles flashed the loose ball inches past the far post. Five minutes later and Coles cut the ball back to the onrushing Yearwood, his shot producing a fine save, with Adam Morris firing the follow up over. At the other end Yearwood was forced to cut out a dangerous through ball as United threatened. In the 26th minute a cross from Harefield reached the far post, where Evans Lamboh, in his attempt to clear, caught a Harefield player and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped the experienced Pacquette who struck his penalty to Brookers’s right, the tall Rangers keeper brilliantly tipping the ball to safety. Rangers hit back and a good cross from Lamboh just evaded Coles before Read followed up to fire wide. 15 minutes from the break and Brooker turned from hero to villain when he mis-placed his pass straight to Harefield's Bircham who was left with the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net. Rangers were unsettled and minutes later a good break from Harefield ended with a shot high and wide. Rangers came back and forced some brilliantly desperate defending by the visitors as they threw bodies in the way to deny Osborne, Coles and Morris in quick succession. A dangerous cross was then punched off the top of Lamboh's head as Rangers piled on the pressure. Another searching pass from Morris found Osborne who again beat the right back before cutting inside to fire a dipping strike just over. On the stroke of half time a long throw from United caused problems for the home team resulting in a turn and shot high over the crossbar.

Morris continued to pick out the runs with his passing in the second period, finding Clark whose shot sailed over. Some good play between Osborne and Lamboh set up Enver-Marum, his shot tipped away for a corner. Eight minutes into the half, Osborne’s great effort was cleared off the line with the keeper beaten. A minute later and Rangers levelled and it was a goal worth waiting for. Clark's short pass found Lamboh and the energetic midfielder opened up onto his left foot before curling a superb strike into the top corner from 20 yards out. Sethi ensured that Rangers stayed on level terms with a superb tackle a minute later in the Rangers area. Yearwood again went on a good run to feed Enver-Marum, his cross finding Clark who hit the bar; the flag was up however. United hit back with a neat move ending with a shot wide of the post from a good position. Enver-Marum then pounced on a mistake and tried to chip the keeper, the ball falling just wide. Soon after Yearwood again raced down the right to pass to Osborne, the youngster going on a tricky run before shooting over. A penalty shout was waved away for Rangers after Coles looked to be brought down, before United came back with another long throw and a looping shot well wide of the target. With five minutes to go Pacquette’s clever turn and shot dipped over. This seemed to spur Rangers on and the closing minutes saw them pile on the pressure as Harefield hung on, with Osborne beating the keeper only to see his shot cleared off the line. The ball came back in to Wyllie, on as a substitute, who headed wide when well placed. The game ended with Wyllie shooting high, wide and handsomely before the drama of penalties. Brooker was once again a hero, saving two, including denying Pacquette for a second time, before Evans Lamboh stepped up for Rangers' final kick, sending the keeper the wrong way and Rangers into the next round. Rangers are at home this Saturday in league action when they take on Baldock Town before another busy week next week; Away versus Dunstable on Tuesday, Away at Ardley on Thursday and then away at Leverstock Green the following Saturday. Thanks for that SSML!

Rangers Man of the Match: Adam Morris. Several names come to mind. Jack Brooker for his heroics in the shoot out and a penalty save in the game. Evans Lamboh for a very good performance, a great goal and the winning penalty, and Asher Yearwood, an example of great attacking full-back play. However, anyone watching could not fail to be impressed with Mozza's commanding performance. Controlled the game and tempo from start to finish. His range of passing was superb. A masterclass from the experienced midfielder.