Nathan’s first goal brings good return

St Francis Rgrs 2

by Chester Browton

Rangers came from behind to win at lowly Chi and end a run of three straight defeats.

The visitors had the ball in the net after only eight minutes but Dan O’Farrell’s effort was cancelled out by referee Jamie Gilham.

And 10 minutes later the official again ruled in favour of Chichester when Morgan Forry’s run towards goal was thwarted by a Josh Bryant foul.

Forry himself took the resulting spot-kick and confidently fired straight down the middle to make it 1-0.

But Rangers trailed for only five minutes as at the other end they were awarded a penalty of their own when Ollie Brookes, one of three players making his first senior start for the hosts, was adjudged to have fouled just inside the box. Aaron Walsh duly converted the spot kick.

The second-half was only 40 seconds old when Rangers scored what turned out to be the winner. Home keeper Anthony Ender barely had time to get his gloves on when Nathan Millroy slipped the ball past him for his important first goal for Rangers.

The second half developed into a very scrappy affair although the visitors almost grabbed a third goal when Walsh sent over a dangerous cross to the far post where sub Harry Farmer mistimed his slide for what would have been a goal with his first touch.

Farmer had replaced Pat Rose, who was suffering cramp, while Brandon Fugl came on for Millroy after he took a knock.

There were five bookings, with Rose and Dan Vinten the guilty parties for the visitors.

Rangers boss Geoff Pitcher was grateful to get back to winning ways, saying: “In the end I think you could say it was a comfortable 2-1 success.

“We certainly needed it and had chances to add to our tally in the second half.

“I’ve said before that provided we play to near what we can and should, then we’ll continue to get the wins we need.”

Chi joint manager Sean Forry commented: “We had loads missing and you couldn’t fault the effort and commitment.”

Rangers: Gordon; Barnes, Bryant, O’Farrell, Vinten; Butler, Millroy (Fugl), Weston, Rose (Farmer); C Pitcher, Walsh. Middy Starman: Jamie Weston.