MALVERN RANGERS 0, LYE TOWN RESERVES 1

RANGERS entertained Lye Town Reserves on Saturday in their last home game of the West Midlands League Division One South and the performance was disappointing in the light of the improvements seen over the last ten games.

To be fair, Lye had beaten the champions-elect Bewdley Town on Wednesday night 2-1 in the league cup and also Hinton 2-1, two weeks ago, the Hereford side still likely to finish as runners-up.

Rangers, while not playing at all well, were still the equal of their visitors, especially in the second half.

Lye scored the all important only goal after 22 minutes when poor defending caused Carl Preece to make a good save. From the resultant corner Ian Cooke scored inside the far post.

Rangers' best opportunity came on the half hour mark when Simon Barnett shot high and wide when well placed on the edge of the box.

When Chris Davis was introduced for the last 15 minutes, his first outing since being injured on February 22, Rangers had, or at least Davis had, three attempts at goal in their search for a point.

He had a shot saved, a header that went over the crossbar and he reacted quickest to the award of a free kick against keeper Eddie Morris for time wasting on the edge of the box. He put the ball into the back of the net but unfortunately for him and for Rangers it was an indirect free kick.

Joint men of the match Steve Hodges and Sean Lynch.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Rangers travel to Bridgnorth Town Res for their final league game of the season, seeking some revenge for the 3-0 defeat inflicted upon them in December. Players to meet Brooklyn Motors 12.30pm or the Ketch 12.45pm prompt.