Bob Rayner reports from a wet Brickfield Lane

Rangers travelled to Brickfield Lane on Saturday to face Hadley, the only other unbeaten side in the Spartan South Midland League Premier Division, fully expecting a close encounter and came away with a fine five nil win to push them up to second in the table. It was a fabulous exhibition of finishing from Rangers in what was a far more difficult game than the score-line would suggest, with Hadley always a threat on the break right up until the end of a game played in atrocious conditions. The 'Bricks', who hadn't been beaten at home in a league fixture since 15th December 2018, looked like they may overrun their visitors in the first 15 minutes as Rangers struggled to keep any kind of possession. The home side started with pace and purpose and early on Ferguson fired inches wide. Shortly after, a slower build up ended with an easy save for Jack Brooker in the Risborough goal. Rangers' first attack was 10 minutes into the game as Lewis Patrick's cross was cleared at the near post. Hadley hit back with a wicked cross cum shot just clearing the bar. The visitors gradually settled with Liam Enver-Marum chesting down for Kieran Schmidt to volley harmlessly wide. Next came a Hadley free kick that was easily dealt with by Brooker. Rangers began to threaten as Marcus Wyllie saw more of the ball and his run and low cross down the left saw the ball desperately nicked off the foot of Enver-Marum at the near post. It was a warning and three minutes later Wyllie again from the left played a neat one two with Schmidt before setting up Enver-Marum for a close range finish to give the visitors the lead. Five minutes later they doubled their lead. A defence slitting pass by new signing, Ben Sturgess, picked out Schmidt who feinted before hitting a superlative strike with the outside of his left boot into the far corner of the Hadley goal. Next up and a free kick was curled around the Rangers wall and the post as the home side showed they were not done yet. 10 minutes before the break and Rangers' skipper Joel Read headed home a Wyllie free kick only to be ruled offside. The visitors finished the half strongly with Wyllie heading over Sean Coles' cross and moments later the same player burst through to see his strike well saved. The half finished with a Hadley free kick soaring well over Brooker's crossbar.

Rangers began the second period with a good move involving Schmidt, Wyllie and Enver-Marum with the Hadley keeper saving at the latter's feet. 10 minutes into the half some neat play by Hadley saw Josh Urqhuart making a tremendous defensive block, the loose ball smashed high wide and not so handsome. There followed a short spell of pressure from the home side with both Urqhuart and Read in excellent form in the middle of the back line. Rangers almost made it three with Schmidt winning a tackle deep in Hadley territory before hitting the post with a cheeky chip. As the pitch began to suffer from the biblical downpour, with surface water gathering, Risborough took control with Wyllie coming off best in a fifty, fifty just inside the Hadley half before racing away to finish with a super finish. Wyllie was again in the action, crossing to Enver-Marum who headed down to force a save. Three minutes after and Enver-Marum raced clear only to be brought down in a splash of water for a penalty. The striker shook himself off before making it four nil from the spot-kick. A couple of minutes later and it was five when Wyllie's brilliant reverse pass picked out Asher Yearwood whose shot was parried to Enver-Marum to complete his hat-trick. Somewhere at this point Hadley were reduced to ten men due to injury, having used all of their substitutes, but they still wouldn't roll over as Ofori almost scored with a fierce angled shot that whistled past the far post. Enver-Marum could have increased his tally, shooting just wide after cutting in from the left. Rangers new boy, Sturgess almost got on the scoresheet, firing inches wide before Hadley's Ferguson forced Brooker into a fine save, tipping the ball onto a post after good work from Ofari. With five minutes remaining Brian Haule split the Hadley defence with a fine pass to Enver-Marum, who set up Coles in front of goal, the winger seeing his effort cleared off the line. Bertie Squire Adams followed up to shoot, his shot deflected for a corner with Haule's header forcing a low save from the resultant kick. Brooker then pulled off a decent save before Haule was again unlucky at the other end after twice chipping the Hadley keeper only to see the ball cleared off the line on both occasions.

Rangers' were excellent in front of goal and Enver-Marum showed his class. The back four and Brooker looked solid when the pressure was on but this win was as much to do with the quality in midfield. Former Thame United skipper Sturgess had an impressive debut, Schmidt was at his creative best and Alex Kedzierski won first and second balls all over the park to stifle the Hadley midfield. Rangers are at home next Saturday against one of manager Mark Eaton's former clubs, Arlesey Town, a team that haven't been beaten on their travels in the league this season and have picked up a point at both Leighton and Harpenden, so Rangers will not be allowed to be complacent as they hope to continue their good start.

Rangers Man of the Match: Liam Enver-Marum. Led the line well and chased lost causes. Looked dangerous every time he was involved and showed his quality in front of goal with a fine hat-trick.