HISTORY PART IV

Football is a game of two halves goes the famous saying,yet Rangers rarely featured in both halves of most the matches this season. When they did it was teams that were chasing promotion that Glassons Outfit excelled themselves and then lost silly games to teams that were twice as bad. The Club again had a strongish squad in pre-season and won four of five friendlies. New editions Andy Cryer and New Skipper Pete Cobley added experiance and a spine for the team to work round Andy Butler who dropped the captaincy to concentate on his game,new players jamie mead gareth hanna gary higgs were the only new editions to join the squad.Rangers however did not recover from the loss of Mark thomas for 6 months, prolific scocer Andy Jones who moved away and Matt Crucifix who was un persuaded to take another year out from uni. Rangers had a tough start to the season,playing two reglegated premiership sides , GUSS&CROOK AND STON EASTON,followed by two sides predicted to go up Woolpack wasps and Artisans.sandwiching these to sides Rangers first game was a 2-2 draw against kings arms and a 4-3 win over the Angel Inn. The blue and yellows played some good attacking football but it was in patches and the search for a prolific striker which they were missing came to nothing.John Burns who was groomed to go up front managed five goals before finding a dry spell that didnt end.Rangers goals were few and far,but Winger Chris Davis managed to double johns tally including 4 penalties. After the angel win rangers continued to lose,and thier woes continued when Andy Butler left,injuries and absentees sent the spirit level down and down. Rangers second win came in december against Kings arms and they took The George to penalties in a cup. the following week. Youngster Nik Shuttlewood joined the side before xmas and he managed to score on his debut against the Angel inn rangers doing the double with a 4-2 win. Rangers then lost Tony sayers and injury kept Rich Chalmers out for the season. Rangers continued to hover over Greyhound ath thoughout the season ,late signings of Andy Pringle from salisbury glass and Damian Griggs from arch rivals Snotty Fox(presbury utd) and the return of right back Mark Thomas did little to change the season. Rangers last point came from the 0-0 draw with Guss&Crook Which rangers dominated and should have won.but it was not to be and Greyhound Athletic only had to draw one of thier last two games to send rangers to the bottom of the league and this they did by beating third placed the George 2-0. Rangers 11 pts is demolising but shows just how much all the middle teams in the league have improved. Rangers need to be more consistant next season and definaltly need a new striker or strikeforce.we wait with baited breathe...............jsg