VWFC vs London Rangers
31/03/2018 Virginia Water Reserves 5-2 London Rangers
Hellenic Division Two East
Report by Steve Cox
With The Timbers pretty much under water, Virginia Water Reserves’ first Easter home match was switched to the 4G at Royal Holloway University, where they were entertaining London Rangers. Rangers are having a hard season at the foot of the table but they came here and showed in spells that they have some talented players and, especially in the first half, gave Waters a few things to think about.
Waters took the lead when Sam Meadows latched onto a long clearance from Mark Pisani and expertly lobbed the goalkeeper from 20 yards after 12 minutes. However, poor defending allowed Rangers to equalise 5 minutes later. Then enter centre stage the precocious talents of Harrison Duff and Harry Brooks who, with growing confidence, snuffed out any chance Rangers could to take charge of this match. First, they combined superbly for Duff to fire Waters back into the lead and then they were involved in the assist for Meadows to grab his second of the match and put Waters 3-1 ahead at half time.
The second half saw London Rangers make a mini revival after Steve Mills made a hash of his spot kick after Mike Chambers had been fouled after 53 minutes - missing the goal completely, far away from his heroic penalty last week against Chalvey Sports. Rangers, after this let off, reduced the score to 3-2 as their number 8 hit a screamer from over 30 yards out leaving Pisani with no chance. This goal led to their best spell of the match but Waters were always a match for them, brilliantly led by skipper Luke Sperling and inspired by the silky running and sublime skills of Brooks, Waters always had the upper hand.
Waters found calmer seas with two more goals from Chambers and Charlie Russell, and should have scored more but for great goal keeping and lack of composure in front of goal.
MoM: Harry Brooks
Line up:
Mark Pisani
Dan Stevens
Dave Atkins
Michael Chambers
Ross Miller
Harry Brooks
Aaron Nevitt
Luke Sperling
Harrison Duff
Steve Mills
Sam Meadows
Subs:
Charlie Russell
Alex Robins
Rob Lamb