RANGERS entertained Shenstone Pathfinder on Saturday in their last West Midlands division two fixture of the season, looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat on February 19.

MALVERN RANGERS 4, SHENSTONE PATHFINDERS 2

The situation looked ominous after only seven minutes when Rangers gifted the visitors a two-goal start. However, the players deserve great credit for fighting their way back into the game and running out 4-2 victors.

In fact, the players deserve great credit for finishing the season with seven wins and two draws following three consecutive defeats in March.

Shenstone took the lead after only four minutes play when a fairly innocuous ball played forward was headed back toward goal by Mark Tipton but, unfortunately, wide of stand-in keeper Mark Owen and into the empty net.

Worse was to follow three minutes later, when a free-kick played into the penalty area was misjudged by Owen and Nunja headed home a simple goal.

Rangers didn't panic unduly although they weren't playing particularly well. Rob Perrins had a free header at the back post but this went straight to keeper John Branch after 27 minutes. However, on 34 minutes a strong challenge by Martin Philpotts on the left saw the ball go to Perrins at the far post who reduced the arrears accordingly.

Four minutes before the interval, Sam Black made a good run before passing to Mark Taylor who equalised with a good finish.

The comeback was completed two minutes later, again Black was involved and he squared the ball to Roberts, who scored with a good shot into the corner.

Two minutes into the second-half, a Philpotts corner was headed against the post by Roberts from point-blank range and, on six minutes the same player shot wide of the post when well-placed.

After 24 minutes of the half, Mark White crossed into the box where Mark Taylor played it back to Perrins but he shot over the crossbar. Four minutes later, Rangers did gain the cushion of a two goal advantage when from a free-kick on the left outside the box, captain Neil Bond curled an excellent shot into the top corner.

Man-of-the-match was Martin Philpotts.

The committee would like to thank all the programme sponsors for their financial support, a special thank-you to Dan Bailey, Four Seasons Landscapes, for his additional support enabling the club to purchase track suits.

Finally to Ann and Reg at the Cross Keys, whose support throughout the season with everything has been truly superb.