Rangers' made the trip to Spelthorne to play British Airways FC on Saturday so I'll take the opportunity to get the jokes out early by saying how we had to get to the ground three hours before kick-off, we were searched as we entered the ground and had to show our passports. There was no bar in the ground but a stewardess came round with a trolley at half-time selling duty free's and... okay, I'll stop there before the opposition Captain tells me to fasten my seat belt! Back to the game; A well contested affair that was entertaining, with plenty of action at both ends and which neither side could really argue that a draw was not a fair result. Rangers began well with some good possession early on with a couple of half chances petering out. The first real chance fell to Risborough's Troy Walters on 15 minutes, a one on one with the BA keeper, who narrowed the angle well to deny him. A minute later and Abdullah Jellal combined well with Michael Senghor to set up Joe Fitzgerald who's shot was blocked for a corner to Rangers. From the kick BA broke up-field only for the final shot easy for Rangers keeper, Dave Saunders. On the half hour a scramble in the Rangers 18 yard box fell to BA but the shot was scuffed wide. Soon after an excellent tackle from Riz defender, Alfie Corrick denied BA from close in. Rangers countered and Lewis Toomey did well to create space for a shot but fired high over the bar. Soon after the same player's cross was punched away by the BA keeper, one of many punched clearances by the home custodian during the afternoon. Another chance for Rangers soon followed as Fitzgerald did well to cross for Hayden McConnell who couldn't quite connect. Five minutes before the break and an angled drive from BA was easily dealt with by Saunders. A minute later and Saunders did well to punch a high ball clear under pressure and Fitzgerald also did well with a brave header as BA threatened. Rangers hit back and good play from Walters and Toomey saw the latter's low cross nicked off the foot of McConnell in front of goal by a great tackle. The half ended with Toomey glancing wide what looked an easy chance off Matt Peake-Pijnen's free kick.

The second half began with an early chance for Rangers, Fitzgerald's long throw neatly laid off by Toomey for Walters to fire over from 15 yards, he should have done better! Two minutes after and BA took the lead when a deep free kick found Forde unmarked, who headed home comfortably. Rangers countered and Olu Ayodesi was almost in, the BA keeper scrambling the ball clear. In the 55th minute a Rangers corner was half cleared only as far as Peake-Pijnen on the edge of the BA box, his shot almost deflected over the keeper who punched the ball over the bar when he really could have caught it. Five minutes later and another Rangers corner eventually found Peake-Pijnen who knocked the ball back in for Toomey to find himself with just the keeper to beat and 10 yards out, the normally reliable striker fluffed his lines however, hitting the ball straight into the advancing keepers midriff. It looked a costly miss and nine minutes later BA had a great chance to increase their lead as Ben Sturgess, Fitzgerald and Saunders all did well to block shots during a game of pinball in the Rangers box. At the other end Walters was also denied by an equally good defensive block. A clever dribble and low cross fizzed across the face of the Rangers goal-face saw some relieved faces on the visitors as the home side looked to increase their lead, before Risborough came back with Peake-Pijnen's cross turned just wide by Toomey on the stretch. The hard working Jellal then had a long, low effort turned wide, before Walters, twisting and turning on the edge of the BA box, saw his eventual strike deflected for a corner. The corner was played in and the BA keeper, again choosing to punch, could only clear as far as Toomey 12 yards out. The Rangers number nine fired a fierce volley that the keeper could only parry and Corrick was on hand to slam home to level the score. With the Riz's tails up Walters shot over from 20 yards and the same player soon after showed great skill before crossing for Toomey, who was denied by a good catch from the home keeper, his first of the game! With a minute of normal time remaining Ayodesi was unlucky when he hit the foot of the BA post with a superb low shot after being set up by Walters. A throw in from Fitzgerald then found Toomey who did well to clip in a difficult cross, the home keeper doing well to finger- tip the ball away as Walters threatened. The game could have been snatched by BA deep in time added on however when Rangers failed to clear from a corner and Saunders produced a superb save at close range, the rebound fired wide and the game was drawn. From a Rangers perspective however there were more positives than negatives with the team looking like a work in progress. There is some resilience to be admired and defensively things look better. Saunders is settling now and with confidence he will grow into a very good keeper. The midfield are beginning to gel too, despite Sturge having to drop into defence (though that may be why we are looking more resilient at the back?) and despite his youthfulness, Abdullah Jellal is a great find. Up front Toomey we know is a proven goal-scorer and Troy Walters can be a real asset with his skill and strength, so goals will come. Patience is required now and support for the team. Tuesday night will be a big test at high flying MK Irish in the B&B Cup but it will be good a experience for the younger players before we return home on Saturday to face Edgware & Kingsbury in the league. KO at the Kamtech Stadium on Saturday is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Abdullah Jellal It was a good team performance. Sturge played very well, Alfie too, Fitzy had a great game and Troy had an excellent second half, but I'm going for Abdullah because in a midfield without Sturge and with both Hayden and Archie as playmakers, we needed a bit of steel in the middle of the park and despite his size and age, Abdullah provided that. He was everywhere, snapping around the opposition and winning his battles. A ball of energy with a desire to win, and he has skill to match. A great performance from the young man.