Rangers' trip to Harpenden Town on Tuesday night was a fruitful one after the disappointment of the previous Saturday's draw. Three points were essential in what looked a difficult trip. The home side were unbeaten in their previous five games, including draws against New Salamis and Leighton Town. In the end however, a good win on the road for Rangers, courtesy of two first half goals from Sean Coles. Rangers showed their intent when after three minutes Lewis Patrick arrowed a low shot on goal, the Town keeper diving full stretch to tip the ball around the post. A minute later and Patrick ran onto a defence splitting pass by Marcus Wyllie before drilling his cross for Coles, arriving at pace, to send a bullet header into the net and Risborough onto the lead. A Harpenden free kick in the 11th minute was fired wide as the hosts looked to equalise. Two minutes on and the excellent Kieron Schmidt's cross-field ball picked out Wyllie who cut inside to shoot straight at the keeper. A good break by Town ended with a turn and shot wide of the far post, before another free kick drifted harmlessly wide. In the 25th minute another superb diagonal pass from Schmidt found Wyllie, who in turn set Patrick away again. The speedy left back whipped another fierce cross toward the host's six yard box and there was Coles once again to bravely head home despite pressure from the keeper. Two minutes later and good work by Schmidt, Wyllie and Patrick set up Alex Kedzierski, his effort diverted for a corner. More neat play involving Patrick and Coles set up Liam Enver-Marum, his strike clearing the bar as Rangers continued to enjoy a good spell. With just over half hour gone Harpenden should have pulled one back after the centre forward shrugged off two challenges, only to scuff his shot wide when through. Soon after another chance for the home side following a long throw, the flick on easily dealt with by Rangers keeper Jack Brooker. It was the home sides last real chance of the game. Three minutes from the break and Patrick curled a dangerous cross from deep with Enver-Marum just unable to get the touch with the keeper rooted.

The second half saw Rangers attacking down the slope as they looked to increase their lead with a 15 minute barrage. In the opening minute Wyllie's shot from 15 yards was parried back to him by the keeper, with the follow up shot sent wide of the post. A minute later and some good defending prevented both Wyllie and Enver-Marum from turning to shoot from close range. A long throw from Harpenden was easily cut out and Rangers broke upfield, with Coles finding Schmidt. Schmidt's volleyed pass picked out Wyllie through on goal, the Rangers striker firing over from a good position. Patrick was again the danger man, producing a great run and shot that just cleared the bar. It was Enver-Marum's turn next, fizzing a shot just over from the angle after some clever work from Schmidt. Brooker's goal-kick then picked out Coles and he turned provider, setting up Enver-Marum with a great opportunity, his low shot just missing the far post and Wyllie's outstretched toe. Patrick again came marauding down the Harpenden right, his low cross blocked for a corner. 16 minutes into the half and Schmidt arrived on the edge of the box, mistiming a shot he would want to forget. There followed a good 15 minute spell for Town as they fought to get back into the game but with Josh Urquhart and Aaron Jewell in commanding form in the centre of defence, chances were limited to a couple of corners and shots from distance. It was during this spell that Rangers showed their true grit, with the midfield trio of Ben Sturgess, Kedzierski and Schmidt dominating the central areas. With no luck down the middle the hosts looked to get down the flanks but found right back Asher Yearwood and left back Patrick in fine form. As the game approached its final ten minutes chances began to come Rangers' way again with Wyllie riding two tackles as he cut in from the right, again his shot fired over. Soon after Schmidt's corner was met at the far post by Urquhart, the Rangers skipper heading into the side netting. Next up was substitute, Gavin James, setting up Wyllie who looked to lob the keeper, the ball bouncing just wide. Wyllie had a great opportunity in the closing stages when he was through with just the keeper to beat, his shot fired straight at the grateful custodian. With five minutes of time added on and prompted by the industrious Sturgess, Rangers managed the game to its inevitable conclusion without problem. A very good win against one of the better sides in the division and another clean sheet. Good preparation for a stiff test this coming Saturday, at home to Leighton Town. Kick off at the BEP Stadium is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Sean Coles. Plenty of candidates from this great team performance, but Sean gets the nod with two great goals that it would be hard to imagine anyone else scoring; typically putting his head in where it may hurt. The Rangers striker is the most tenacious of players. A constant thorn in the opponents side with his work rate and never say die attitude. A full backs nightmare!