RANGERS made the long journey to league leaders Brereton Social on Saturday, a team they had inflicted only the second defeat of the season, 3-2, at the end of December.

BRERETON SOCIAL 7, MALVERN RANGERS 0

Rangers showed three changes from that side, Rob Cullen, Andy Fletcher and Adam Spencer, whilst Brereton showed four changes, which included the Riverway centre-forward and previous captain Michael Stark and another tormentor-in-chief in Dean Watkiss.

Brereton started off very positively and yet after only three minutes, Rangers had a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Rob Cullen was sent clear in on goal but as he entered the penalty area with only keeper Russell Todd facing him, his final touch was too heavy and the keeper was able to gain possession.

Just minutes later and Sam Black was almost faced with an identical situation with the same outcome.

Brereton deservedly opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a ball in from the left seemed to go between keeper Ross Sanders and Andy Fletcher and Rob Dutton nipped in between them to head home.

After 35 minutes, a cross from the very influential right-back Danny Mcleod was dropped by Ross Sanders and Rob Dutton scored.

Rangers lost Carl Preece at half-time with a back injury, to be replaced by new-singing Andy Hurrell.

Rangers opened the second-half quite brightly, playing their best football of the game. But, after 12 minutes a cross from the right saw Craig Jennings head home at the far post to make it 3-0.

On 24 minutes, Rangers were penalised well outside the area and from the free-kick Paul Brown rifled his shot into the roof of the net.

Straight away, Sam Black had a great opportunity to reduce the arrears but shot straight at keeper Russell Todd.

Five minutes later and it was 5-0 when Brereton attacked down the right and Michael Stack was left with a simple tap-in.

Another new signing, Andy Lancett, was introduced for the injured Mike Coke but Brereton's pressure remained relentless and number six arrived on 31 minutes courtesy of a cool finish from Stack.

Four minutes from the end, Stack held the ball up in the area before rolling it into the path of Danny Mcleod to complete the scoring.

Ross Sanders then made a good save to prevent any more embarrassment.

Man-of-the-match was Rob Cullen.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Rangers, sponsored by the Cross Keys Inn, are scheduled to entertain Cresswell Wanderers in a West Midlands Division One game, kick-off 2.15pm, players to meet at the ground 1pm.