Rangers bounced back from last weeks disappointing defeat to Sparkhill Rangers, with a hard fought but in the end emphatic win over Premier division new boys Small Heath United.
Rangers welcomed back Mohammed Majid, Ayaz Uddin and Micheal Mcgee to their line up, whilst also reverting back to the tried and tested 3-5-2 formation.
With the pre-match preparations much improved this week, Rangers got off to a very fast start and took the game to Small Heath .A combination of hard work and slick passing opening the Small Heath defence up on a number of occasions. Rangers were rewarded early on when Mcgee latched on to a very clever flick by Akbar Ali and finished in his usual ruthless manner. Judging by the early exchanges it looked as if Rangers would run away with this game comfortably. However, a mixture of youthful enthusiasm and a lack of ball retention from Rangers saw Small Heath make their way back into the game. As a result of this Small Heath levelled the score after some hesitancy from both defence and goalkeeper. This goal clearly gave Small Heath a huge lift, which saw them begin to take the game to Rangers and create some half chances of their own. This swing in momentum saw Small Heath take the lead after some calamitous handling by goalkeeper Farooq, who allowed a difficult in swinging corner to go through his grasp and into the top corner of the net. The result of this was a period of unnecessary panic from Rangers, with the forwards unable to keep hold of the ball and the defence looking a little unorganised. In this period Majid was booked for a kung fu style kick on the Small Heath forward. With experience within the team, Rangers weathered the storm and equalised on the stroke of half time, with the ever assured Wasim slotting in from close range.
The goal just before the break gave Rangers a huge lift and some strong words at half time from manager Shah made sure Rangers returned for the second half with greater determination.
With the second half barely five minutes old, midfield maestro Zar arrived at the far post to score his second goal in two games and again put Rangers in the ascendency. To add further to Small Heath`s misery, man of the match Zamal scored a well deserved if somewhat fortunate goal when his cross looped over the stranded Small Heath goalkeeper and into the net. The early period in the second half saw Rangers show some of the form and grit which has seen them be so successful over the years, with the midfield beginning to dominate and Akbar and Mcgee really beginning to stretch the Small Heath defence.
Small Heath to their credit, against the run of play scored again from a long throw in which was flicked into the net by their central defender. No such panic was evident this time as Rangers again went about finding ways to add to the score line. The two goal lead was restored again when a free kick was awarded to Rangers just outside the Small Heath box. Up stepped the technically gifted Ayaz to calmly roll the ball into the bottom corner of the Small Heath net. With this goal it was visible to see the opposition heads go down and the result was put way beyond doubt when the predatory Mcgee again showed his instincts with a clinical finish from close range.
Overall a very satisfying afternoon for Rangers who came through a difficult period in the game with a big result, against a team who will do well this season. With this performance ,the blip of last week was well and truly forgotten and them team can move forward with a great deal of confidence.
