Rangers again do it the hard way

Once again Rangers did it the hard way as they made progress in the RUR Cup with a 2-1 victory against Division 2 hosts Wick & Barnham on Tuesday.

Manager Geoff Pitcher gave himself a first outing of the season and was disappointed not to get on the scoresheet as Rangers made it four wins and a draw in the last five games.

Rangers dominated the first half but led only 1-0 to an own goal by Curtis Horn, who deflected in Jamie Weston’s 28th minute free kick.

There was a big turnaround in the second half, especially after Charlie Pitcher prospered from another defensive error to make it 2-0 on 57 minutes.

Home boss Jon Tucker made a triple change to good effect and the hosts pulled one back on 76 minutes when Ash Harper took his chance well.

In the closing minutes the hosts could easily have booked extra time, although they were grateful to keeper Jordan Matthews for denying Geoff Pitcher a goal.

After that Rangers keeper Matt Morrish distinguished himself with a great save at the feet of Mark Pedrick and was then grateful to see sub Joe Yates blaze the ball over after good work by Sam Enticott on the right.

Morrish is at Burgess Hill but helped out Rangers earlier in the season in a Vase tie at Dorking Wanderers.

Regular keeper Rob Gordon took the chance to rest his ongoing ankle injury, while Aaron Walsh and Dan O’Farrell were serving suspensions. O’Farrell still has two more matches to serve.

Rangers: Morrish; Akehurst, Barnes, Bryant (Westlake, 41), Vinten; Hawkes, Millroy, Maskell (Wilson, 80), Weston; C Pitcher, G Pitcher.