Slinn raid on Shopmates

Over the last few weeks, Injuries and Transfers have left Rangers squad a little exposed for the first time in the season. Dean Lukeman has moved to Cogenhoe and Mark Forbes has signed for S&L Corby. Both were unlucky to not get more game time this season, partly due to the teams form continuing to impress. The club thanks both for their service and wish them well for the future.

Danny Marlow's recovery from a dead leg incurred in Rangers Junior Cup win against Blisworth meant Wayne Richardson had his first chance to start in the league this season. Quickly, Rangers imposed their attacking play on a very good home surface. Within minutes of Kick Off the Raunds cross bar had been rattled with a Cassidy Header.

The first half was dominated by Rangers with good possession in attacking areas creating frequent chances to go ahead. Stevie Blackwood lead the line well and created a fantastic chance on his left side. A really positive run saw Blackwood move clear of the Raunds defence only for a lack of composure and weak strike dragged wide.

Another gilt edge chance was missed by Ling, who has recently turned down a move to Evostick Northern League side King Lynn. The ball found it's way back to Ling on the penalty spot only to see the strike clear the conifers behind the goal.

This was starting to become the tone of the first half, a number of good opportunities were going to waste.

A good move from Raunds down the right exposed the Rangers defence where they were overun. The ball across found an easy tap in for Raunds Town to take an undeserved lead just before half time. This has happened with many goals this conceded this season so far.

The second half started a little sloppy, with Raunds keeping possession well but not looking to press forwards and increase their lead. It did not take long for Rangers to produce their best move of the game, Glass and Ling combined well for the first time in the match resulting in a beautiful ball into the box which was met predicatably by Blackwood to head. The ball took a deflection and squirmed it's way into the corner of the net.

Rangers lacked their regular fluidity, but still looked to have enough to create a second goal. It looked as though it could be one of those frustrating days when Ling cracked the post this time from the edge the box.

With only 10 minutes left, Botterill replaced Redding with Slinn and Blackwood with Goodall to go three up front to chase an unlikely winner. With 90 minutes up, Slinn, previously a part of Raunds Town's successful Southern League team provided a glimpse of his strikers instinct. A cross from Richardson on the right found Slinn at the near post who calmly looped a flick header over the stranded Raunds goalkeeper to clinch a vital win.

Rangers were well worth the win and on another day the score-line would have been much more.

Sileby Rangers from: Watts, Glass, Hewitt, Keall, Richardson, Ling, Crockett, Cassidy, Redding (Slinn), Blackwood (Goodall), Foster, Unused: Boot