Red-hot Rangers gain sweet revenge over Nelson Suburbs in five-goal thriller

Rangers AFC’s stunning recent form continued as they beat the highly-fancied Nelson Suburbs in a five-goal thriller away in Stoke on Saturday.

Rangers went into the game as over-whelming underdogs as they faced a team who had thumped them 14-0, just a matter of months ago.

But, a resurgent Rangers showed their early season struggles were truly behind them as they battled to an impressive victory while claiming back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

It was equally impressive that Rangers were able to field a competitive team, given a couple of late withdrawals had left them with only one substitute for the game.

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The game got off to a cagey start as both teams tried to assert dominance in the middle of the pitch, with Rangers’ midfield maestro Kirsten Maas pulling the strings, and her pinpoint passing causing problems for the Suburbs’ defence.

As the game began to open up, the ever-impressive Lea Poletti threaded a beautiful ball through to Katie Pugh who unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the area that beat Suburbs’ keeper Georgia Williams to give Rangers a deserved 1-0 lead after 17 minutes.

The goal seemed wake Suburbs up, and after a spell of sustained pressure, Nelson striker Libby Hayday-Smith raced away from the Rangers defence and slotted home an equaliser to make it 1-1 after 30 minutes.

Rangers managed to keep their composure though, and their recent improvements were highlighted yet again when Maas whipped in another pinpoint cross for Riley Preece to latch on to and bury into the back of the net to restore their lead going into the half-time break.

Rangers started the second half full of confidence, and almost extended their lead a few minutes later when Poletti hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box, only to see it brilliantly saved by Williams who somehow managed to get a fingertip to the ball, and send it on to the crossbar.

Searching for an equaliser, Nelson Suburbs launched a couple of dangerous forays forward, only to be denied by the alert Taz Gilbert, steadfast in the Rangers’ goal.

After soaking up a spell of Suburbs pressure, Rangers started to settle and took the game to Suburbs and almost extended their lead again when Ruby Wybourne’s searing shot skimmed the outside of the post, before Preece’s effort was brilliantly saved by Williams.

It was to be third time lucky for the Rangers’ attack when Abby Owen found Poletti who played in Preece, who made no mistake with an emphatic finish into the top corner to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Minutes later, Suburbs had the chance to claw a goal back when a dangerous cross from the right wing was handled in the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Hayday-Smith dispatched the ensuing penalty to close the gap to 3-2.

Rangers were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty themselves with 15 minutes to go when Lauren Sloan was brought down in the box, before the referee deemed it wasn’t a foul and waved play on.

With the minutes ticking away, and Suburbs desperately seeking an equaliser, Rangers’ goalkeeper Gilbert pulled off a couple of outstanding saves as the visitors held out to the final whistle to record a memorable and morale-boosting victory.

Rangers AFC coach Amanda Smith-Scott praised players’ spirit to come back from such a heavy defeat earlier in the season, and to come away winners.

“It is hard to single out players following such an incredible team effort. It was an absolutely brilliant team performance from all 12 players, clearly their best of the season – and obviously a fantastic result,” she said.