Team: Wright, Harriman, Waters, Ehmer, Bailey, Olley, Sutherland, Doughty, Cox, German, Graham
Subs: Morley, Bewick, Nanetti, Sterling, Molloy
There was a trialist in goal today, Joe Wright who has been at Rangers for two weeks. Wet underfoot, little wind but the sun was out as the Saturday Morning Mob shuffled around behind the corner flag.
‘Bags’ Graham got off to a lively start. He took the ball on his chest in midfield and then broke forward. His shot clipped a defender and went out for a corner. His next foray up-field was on the left wing where after tricking the fullback, he sent over a low cross into the box which resulted in their keeper making a good double save. The visitors put together a good passing move from midfield and the Luton player hooked the ball but our trialist keeper anticipated where it was going and made an excellent save.
Luton were awarded a harsh free kick which was then hit low from around 25 yards and hit the post and out again to safety. Rangers were still creating chances though. Antonio German burst through with ‘Bags’ Graham running alongside him but the subsequent shot was scuffed just wide. Frankie Sutherland belted one straight at the keeper which he managed to hold on to. Half time: 0-0
Luton won a free kick near the corner flag for hand-ball. The cross in from the right was headed in from close range. Soon after, the visitors had the ball in the net again but it was ruled offside. Despite some Rangers pressure, the visitors got their second goal after 20 minutes. Wide right and in acres of space, the Luton player put the ball into the box and the scorer knocked it right through our keeper. 2-0 down and it began to cloud over.
There was a noticeable drop in the temperature as the wind began to pick up. German worked very hard but it was difficult for him at times as the lone striker. A cross came over from the left and he was on hand to blast the ball on the volley over the bar. There was another opportunity for him when he ran through and collided with the keeper in a 50/50 challenge. The loose ball found Christian Nanetti who shot just over. Nanetti did exceptionally well to chase what appeared to be a lost cause to the left wing corner flag and his perseverance won him a free kick. The cross into the box was headed out into the path of Sam Bewick who coolly blasted the ball into the net. Raheem Sterling came on towards the end for Elliott Cox but even he couldn’t conjure up an equaliser.
The R’s created plenty of chances but I have to say that Luton were a decent side who knocked the ball around well at times. The other Rangers substitutions at different stages of the game were; Bewick for Doughty and earlier Nanetti replaced Graham. The Saturday Morning Mob also included Alan Barnes, Rob Bennett and Roger Stokes. On the adjacent pitch the U16’s beat Cambridge 3-1.
Steve Russell