RANGERS travelled to Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday and, on a spongy clay surface, turned in an indifferent West Midland division two performance.
CHADDESLEY CORBETT 1, MALVERN RANGERS 4
This was, however, more than sufficient to earn them a 4-1 victory to give them the double over their hosts, having won 5-1 back on September 4.
The first half performance was competent enough and they managed to play some reasonable football to lead 3-1 at half-time.
The second half was totally different. After spurning a couple of early chances against a poor side, Rangers become more and more frustrated with their inability to get back into the rhythm of the first half and had to settle for a late goal to increase the scoreline.
Rangers started brightly enough and passed the ball around with confidence although they didn't really test keeper Simon Wright. It was very much against the run of play that Chaddesley took the lead after 22 minutes.
Following a corner on their right, Ross Sanders gathered the cross but under pressure dropped the ball to Duncan Palmer, who scored from close range.
Rangers equalised seven minutes later with a good goal. Mark Taylor floated an excellent free-kick to the far post where Neil Bond met the ball with a diving header to equalise.
Just four minute later, on 33 minutes, Rangers took the lead. Martin Philpotts won the ball well in midfield before releasing Simon Rea. He easily rounded keeper Simon Wright on the edge of the box and rolled the ball into an empty net.
Three minutes before the interval, Rangers secured the cushion of a two-goal advantage. Martin Philpotts was again instrumental in providing the ball, which eventually found Sam Black at the back post to score from close range.
In the opening minute of the second half, Andrew Fletcher played substitute Rob Cullen clear on the right and his pace took him clear of opponents and his own team-mates, he had to go all alone and shot wide of the far post.
Shortly afterwards Rob Cullen released Neil Bond but his lob shot was comfortably gathered.
Rangers had to wait until the final minutes to score again. It followed one of the few constructive moves of the day when Mark Tipton played the ball wide left, Steve Walker crossed low to the far post where Danny White scored just inside the post.
Man of the match was Martin Philpotts.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers, sponsored by the Cross Keys Inn, travel to play league leaders Parkfield Leisure in the West Midlands division two, kick- off 2.15pm. Players to meet Brooklyn Motors noon, Oak Apple 12.15pm.
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