RANGERS travelled to Bridgnorth on Saturday with the team picking itself for a variety of reasons.

BRIDGNORTH TOWN RESERVES 5, MALVERN RANGERS 2

With keeper Mark Davis not having recovered from a week long sickness bout, Steve Newman although himself recovering from flu took over in goal. Chairman Mark Owen was called upon to make up the numbers, with manager Roger Kitchener and Simon Burge the only substitutes.

Rangers can certainly be proud of especially their first-half performance in which they were the better side. A corner after two minutes taken by Rob Cullen was met by Andrew Fletcher and the home defence knew nothing about the effort which went wide.

With their first effort on target Bridgnorth took the lead on ten minutes when a shot from Gary Hodgson went in off the post.

Rangers continued to take the game to the home side and they deservedly levelled after 33 minutes. Rob Cullen worked his way across the penalty area before laying the ball into the path of Ollie Endacott who coolly finished.

Right on the stroke of half-time Rangers conceded a killer second goal. The ball rolled into the penalty area but instead of picking it up keeper Steve Newman chose to play it into touch. From the resultant throw the ball was crossed to the far post for the tall Lee Mason to head home.

Thirteen minutes into the second-half Rangers were penalised just outside their penalty area and Gary Zydne scored into the roof of the net from the kick.

On 22 minutes the referee awarded Rangers an indirect free-kick inside the area and Rob Cullen slipped the ball to Endacott to score.

Following a Rangers throw deep in the Bridgnorth half the ball was cleared to Dean Lowry just inside his half. He beat a couple of Rangers defenders before scoring an excellent goal.

Still Rangers had the opportunity to reduce the arrears but in the last minute Bridgnorth put through Lowry and he crossed for Mason to tap home a simple second goal.

Again Rangers were punished for making mistakes but overall their play warranted some reward.

Man of the match was Mark Owen.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers, sponsored by the Cross Keys Inn, travel to Tenbury United for a West Midlands division one fixture, kick off 2.45pm, players to meet Brooklyn Motors 12.30pm.

The following Tuesday evening (October 18) Rangers travel to Walsall Wood for another league game, kick off 7.45pm, players to meet Brooklyn Motors 5.30pm, Oak Apple 5.45pm.

Rangers have been drawn at home to Worcester League Premier Division rivals Powick in the WFA Junior Cup on October 29, kick off 2pm.