An early start for the boys took in a bus trip to Teddington. The boys heading off in good spirits and the banter was good. They tried to get the chairman to agree a trip to Thorpe Park if the result was good. The chairman as ever was pleading poverty and told the boys if the result wasn’t good they would be walking home!
As ever when playing a Hearts team the introductions were pleasant, but we knew early on this was a game we would have to dig deep for. Liam filled in defence with no complaints, but when Luke had to come off early with an injury it was making our task more difficult. But the boys as they have on a few occasions this year rose to the challenge. Hearts were strong in the tackle which some found unsettling. Hearts posed a threat throughout while Shinfield did a lot of pressing but didn’t look like scoring until Liam hit a great shot from distance, which went in off the crossbar.
At half time,again the coach had to remind the boys to step the play or they would let Hearts back into the match.
They certainly improved in the second half with Josh in particular drawing rave reviews from the Hearts manager. The chairman was drawing up contracts for him to move, but he was told he would have a mutiny on his hands if the Lion of Shinfield was transferred.
Coming to the closing stages, but soon after Ben beat a defender who rashly flew in to recover his mistake and caught Ben badly on the ankle. From the resulting freekick Liam found Wills head who dispatched a header to the net, from where the Rangers went on to defend their lead. Harry also hit a terrific effort from fully 25 yards which just flashed wide of the post.
So as the season comes to a close the team is finishing strongly and their attitude is now one of a team who will fight for each other.
Rangers Abu
Ryan Blandville