Rangers went into this game with their local neighbours, high on confidence after winning four out of five of their pre-season games, but did not get things all their own way. With Tom Thorley, Adam Whitehoue and Jack Sherratt missing through Holidays and injury, others again had a chance to stake their claims for a place in the team.

Chasetown were first to push forward and forced the first of many corners after six minutes. On Rangers’ first foray, Malakai had a shot blocked but that turned out to be one of a number of efforts by ‘Boro. Abadaki, then chased down a defender to win the ball back but his shot flew narrowly wide. Scholars had their share of possession but without serious efforts, they forced six corners in the first twenty minutes, or so.

Abadaki was again in the action as he attacked down the left and when he pulled back for Perry, his effort was deflected wide. Boro fans then knew they could be in danger as Chasetown won a free kick outside the box. and when former Boro Man Jack Langston lined up a shot, he stepped up and his effort whistled just over the crossbar. Perry was again blocked after good approach work from Curtis, before Briscoe put in Banks, for what was one of four first half efforts for the youngster – three just off target and another forcing an excellent save from Pond, in the home goal.

Rangers continued to see a lot of the ball, while Chasetown were limited to a couple of tame shots from Wynter and Thomas, as well as a through ball that found the side netting courtesy of defenders, Boro trialist keeper and attacker, Nduna.

Half time saw a number of changes with Rangers bringing on 6 players. While Boro showed first with Bailey-Jones having a good shot saved by Pond, Chasetown took advantage of things being reorganised as Nduna nipped in on a short back pass, eluding the incoming defenders and squaring the ball back for Whieldon to give the home side a one-nil lead.  For the remainder, the balance was similar to the first half, but punctuated with changes and water breaks, in the Summer heat. Boro chances were of a better quality but the finishing touch lacked, Cuff fired wide after some neat play, Captain Jones headed wide from a corner, Bailey-Jones hit the bar from a narrow angle, before Cuff had another powerful effort across goal saved by Pond. In response, Chasetown forced an excellent save from Rangers’ trialist keeper, as well as forcing corners from another couple of goalmouth scraps where Boro safely cleared their lines.

Lessons learned in defeat but no disgrace in losing to a team largely still together after their lay-off push last season and sure to be competitive again, while the new Boro squad has two more weeks to gel.

Starting line-up

Rangers – Trialist, Askey, Jones, Marshall, Banks, Coulson, Briscoe, Malakai, Perry, Abadaki, Curtis.

Pre-season friendly
Tuesday 17 July

Rangers followed up their 7-0 win at Heath Hayes with another goal scoring bonanza as Stafford Town were beaten 5-2 at Evans Park.

As with the opening friendly on Saturday, Steve Burr took the opportunity to look at a number of trialists but it was a strong XI that kicked off and they soon made the difference in quality tell.
The opening goal came from Osebi Abadaki in the 5th minute. The tricky winger produced some good work on the left then cut in before firing past Josh Moreton in the Town goal.

On 12 mins Rangers were 2-0 up. A good low centre from A Trialist picked out Jack Sherratt and he steered the ball past Moreton.

Three minutes later it was 3-0. A clever back heal from Kyle Perry found Josh Green. He squared for Theo Bailey-Jones who teased the home keeper before lifting the ball into the back of the net.

Bailey-Jones added a fourth on 19 minutes. This time Abadaki was the provider although it looked like he was going for goal himself with another low drive but Bailey Jones was there to help it on its way.

At this stage a double figure score was on the cards but to their credit Town didn’t give up battling.
Perry, James Askey, Green and Abadaki all had shots or headers at goal but found Moreton in fine form – the Town keeper excelling with a good double save a few minutes before the interval.

By then the home side had given the scoreline an element of credibility with Kulisewa – aka Okomo – taking advantage of two defensive errors to help himself to a couple of goals. His first came on the half hour when Adam Whitehouse fumbled a corner and the youngster nipped in to head home.

Town’s second came on 38 mins. This time Askey got caught out by the extra bounce of the artificial pitch – the ball was played across the area and Kulisewa slotted in his second. Rangers made nine changes at the interval with only keeper Whitehouse and newcomer Josh Green remaining on the field.

There were a few more familiar faces on show with the likes of Louis Briscoe and Levi Reid seeing some action while Alex Curtis came on for Green 10 minutes into the second half. It was Green who had scored Rangers’ fifth of the night just 23 seconds after the resumption when he steered home from around 15 yards after good work on the left from two of the young trialists.

Green’s goal was to end to scoring for the night but it wasn’t for the want of trying on Rangers’ part as Briscoe, Reid and Curtis all tried their luck only to find Moreton in their way.

The Town keeper was beaten shortly before the end but Curtis’ shot came back off the bar.