Rangers Through To Second Semi Final

Risborough beat Penn & Tylers Green in Wycombe Senior Cup

Rangers reached their second cup semi-final in the space of seven days, beating Penn & Tylers Green by three goals to one to set up a tie with local rivals Aston Clinton. Penn & Tylers Green, who play in the Hellenic League Division One East, had the best of the opening minutes with some good possession but it wasn't until the 10 minute before they had there first attempt, when Justin Gordon made a good block following a goalmouth scramble. Rangers raced up the other end and Ben Cullen, a new signing from Thame United, cut inside from the left to shoot into the side netting. The visitors pace caught Rangers out and their centre forward should have done better as he screwed his shot inches wide. Soon after, the impressive Cullen was put through and the Penn keeper saved well at his feet. Then skipper Joel Read headed over from the corner. Rangers took the lead slightly against the run of play after Harry Jones raced onto Alex Woodfine's neat flick to shoot from an angle. The Penn keeper could only parry the shot and Cullen was on hand to smash the ball home. The home sides joy was short lived however when almost immediately Penn equalised through their centre forward, who raced through unchallenged to score with a good finish. The visitors then enjoyed a good spell in which they had chances to take the lead as their pace caused Rangers more problems, the best of which bought a good save out of Jack Brooker in the Rangers goal. Rangers came back into it in the closing minutes of the half and Lawrence Clark was tripped in the area following a good move, earning a penalty that was ably dispatched by Woodfine to give the hosts the lead. Penn tried to hit back and Brooker had to tip a good shot over the bar before, at the other end Cullen turned and shot into the side netting just before the break.

Rangers looked much better in the second period, limiting their opponents to few chances. On 60 minutes the lively Jones cut inside to shoot wide. Minutes later and a clever free kick by Clark released Cullen who should have done better, shooting straight at the keeper. With 14 minutes remaining Rangers extended their lead after good play between Jones and Ollie Lynch. Lynch hit a deep cross and James Shrimpton bundled the ball in after a mix up between the visitors keeper and his defenders. The introduction of Alfie Touceda injected some more urgency into the Rangers attack. He almost scored with his first touch. Seeing the Penn keeper off his line, he lobbed him from fully 45 yards only to see the ball bounce agonisingly just past the post. Shortly after he almost repeated it , this time the ball dropping a little wider. Rangers managed the game well in the closing minutes and ended it with a flourish, firstly Touceda's shot was turned wide for a corner after good work from Cullen and then Cullen himself was twice denied with good saves, before Clark shot over from the edge, bringing the referee to blow his whistle on a good nights work for the home side.

Rangers Man of the Match: Joel Read. A typical captains performance. Commanding in defence, winning his headers and tackles, good distribution and always a threat at set pieces. Set an example to his team-mates.