Kevin Christou began his managerial career at Rangers with an introduction to the notorious 'Windsors' pitch at the Kamtech Stadium in a narrow defeat to Ardley United. A ten minute biblical deluge just moments before kick-off, onto an already soft and sticky pitch, ruined the game as a spectacle as both sides struggled on the boggy surface that resembled the Somme at the end. Ardley began the brighter kicking down the slope and a couple of last minute tackles were needed by Curtis Chapple followed by a superb save from Dave Saunders on four minutes. Two minutes later and new Rangers signing, Lewis Horne Haynes, burst through on the United goal and appeared to be tripped in the area. The result was a booking for simulation, which seemed harsh on Rangers. Risborough's Christian Johnson then flashed a shot across goal when he perhaps should have squared. At the other end United forced another great save from Saunders with a powerful strike. A minute later and Saunders was again in the action, tipping the ball away low to his left. Rangers hit back and should have scored during a goalmouth scramble before United scrambled clear. Moments later and Horne-Haynes blazed over from the edge of the box. Johnson then headed just wide from Chapple's long throw and another effort from Horne-Haynes was deflected wide. Ardley countered with a shot inches wide of the Ranger's far post and then another Rangers penalty shout, this time for hand-ball, was waved away before half time arrived.

The second half was only four minutes old when Rangers failed to deal with the ball out on the left and Joe Fitzgerald's mistimed tackle was punished with a penalty which was duly dispatched by United's Gavin James. Two minutes later and a nice move by Rangers ended with a superb tackle in front of the United goal. Soon after another Rangers move saw Kwesi Ntim denied by a good save. Ardley should have scored shortly after when they found themselves three versus one, but Chapple did well to delay the attack and Saunders pulled off another great save from close range. Rangers pressed for an equaliser and forced a series of corners, one of which was headed up onto the top of the bar before being cleared. Saunders made another excellent save with twenty minutes to go, soon followed by a United header over the bar. Late on Rangers' Alie Bangura, who showed some good skills throughout despite the pitch, wriggled through to shoot, his shot deflected by a timely boot but time ran out for any revival and both teams trudged off with heavy legs and a ton of mud on their boots. It was a battling display from both teams with Ardley edging it, but with Saunders in fine form they needed a penalty to do it. Rangers next opponents are Harefield United away on 28th December and hopefully new boss Christou will have been able to strengthen his squad further.

Rangers Man of the Match: Dave Saunders. The Rangers keeper made some superb saves that any keeper would be proud of.