Late, late goal for Rangers as draw specialists do it again!
Bob Rayner reports
Things looked ominous when Rangers went one down in the ninth minute against top of the table, Egham Town, following a good start from the visitors. An early shot from Rangers' Otudeko was blocked before Town put the pressure on, with Rangers scrambling to clear their lines on a couple of occasions. A neat move and clever finish by Hutchins gave Egham a deserved lead and they could have added a second three minutes later when a whipped freekick was flicked goalward and well claimed by Rangers keeper, Saunders. Rangers crept into the game and a good run and shot from Fitzgerald was well blocked. Half hour in and Otudeko produced a tricky run before firing over and the same player curled a fine shot just past the Town post a minute later. At the other end Fitzgerald produced a superb tackle to deny Egham and shortly after, Saunders made a great reaction save at close range. Just before half-time Rangers failed to clear and Town fired over from a good chance. With seconds to the break Rangers' Keane-Quinlivan got onto the end of a good ball from Luwero, his turn and shot easily saved by Town's keeper.
The second half began lively enough with Robinson doing well, his effort blocked. Egham countered and Saunders made a good save with his feet as the visitors burst through the middle. In the 55th minute a good move by Rangers ended with Fitzpatrick firing low, straight at the keeper. Soon after, a dangerous free kick from Egham was beaten out by Saunders and a counter attack by Rangers saw Fountain unable to get any power onto Robinson's cross. With 15 minutes to go Rangers substitute, Caille, cut inside and unleashed a superb drive from just outside the box, rattling the Egham crossbar. Five minutes later and Saunders did well to tip over a cross-shot from his left. Rangers hit back and the impressive debutant, Ntim, clipped a neat shot into the hands of Town's keeper. Ntim was again in the action moments later, setting up Keane-Quinlivan, whose shot was well saved. In the last minute of normal time Rangers' Chapple's long throw was flicked on by Bekir, the ball dropping to Fountain five yards out, but somehow the striker screwed his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. Egham were hanging on now as Rangers battled for an equaliser and a break from Rangers saw Fountain bundled over in the Egham area for what looked like a penalty. Despite the shouts only a corner was awarded and when the ball came in it dropped to Sturgess, who with his back to goal teed up Fitzgerald to shoot. The left backs strike was too strong for the keeper to hold and Fountain was on hand to rifle home the loose ball for a dramatic equaliser six minutes into injury time. Claims of offside from the visitors saw one Egham player receive a red card for something he said and there was little time left for either side to score a winner. Another draw for Rangers against another good side. There is a resilience in Mark Jones' group that must be admired. Cole played well at centre back but was missed in midfield, but the new signing, Ntim, looked a very good addition. Nice to see Fountain get off the mark with his first goal and the performances of youth players, Bekir and Caille, were encouraging too. With suspended midfielder Jellal and centre- back Corrick available for Saturday, hopefully Jones will have more depth for the visit of high fliers, Amersham Town in another stern test. Kick off at the Kamtech Stadium is 3pm.
Rangers Man of the Match: Joe Fitzgerald. Fitzy always gives his all and tonight was no exception. He was involved in many of the Rangers attacks but never forgot his defensive duties with some great tackles and blocks at key moments. Drove the team on with his infectious enthusiasm and hit the shot that led to Fountain's goal.