Hall Road Rangers picked up an eighth league win on the bounce with a 1-2 victory against Cherry Burton FC at St Mary’s College on Saturday afternoon.

There was an early setback for Rangers as Fin Pulford had to be replaced in the 10th minute. Pulford picked up an injury after a strong tackle and was replaced by Paul Wray.

Tom Iversen almost gave Rangers the lead in the 24th minute as he flashed a header over the bar after meeting a fantastic Callum Stone cross. A minute later, Iversen was played through by Tommy Waud and slotted home to put Rangers in front with his eighth goal of the season. Joel Shepard saw his long-range effort saved just before half-time.

In the 48th minute, Cherry Burton threatened with an effort which went wide. Rangers doubled their lead, a couple of minutes later, through a well worked corner routine. Lewis Andrew played the ball to Luke Bullement and his cross was met by Jordan Hall who then sent a fine header into the back of the net for his third goal of the campaign.

Haydn Withill produced a great save in the 52nd minute as Cherry Burton attempted to work themselves back into the game. Meanwhile, Stone nearly gave Rangers a three goal lead in the 64th minute with a shot that was put wide.

Cherry Burton did pull a goal back in the 72nd minute and, from then on, put some sustained pressure on the Rangers defence. However, Rangers withstood this and were able to take maximum points from the game. This result set a new club record for the most successive league wins in a season.

MOTM- Haydn Withill sponsored by Garry Law Plastering Services

Hall Road Rangers: Withill, Pulford (Wray 10’), J. Hall, Chaffer, Waud, Andrew (C), R. Hall, Shepard, Stone (Loughton 67’), Iversen (Miller 69’), Bullement.

Providing his post-match reaction, Rangers manager Chris Burke said:

“It’s a bit of a double edged sword to be honest. Very, very pleased to have been informed about the new club record and it’s nice to have on the CV. The three points are obviously a bonus as well.

After five weeks off, I knew going into the game that it was probably not going to be up to our usual standards. We came out of the blocks and did well up to half-time.

We then got some injuries which didn’t help us and we had to shuffle the pack a bit with a couple of players having to play out of position. When they got it back to 1-2, it was twitchy bum time a little bit.

To be fair to the lads, they’ve dug in. There were some tired legs in there which there’s going to be after five weeks off. They’ve got the three points and that’s the main thing.

It’s another three points and that’s all I’m bothered about today. I’ll give them their dues as they’ve worked really, really hard.

The games are going to come thick and fast now. We go again on Wednesday and then on Saturday. Hopefully, the weather’s going to hold up and we’ll see what happens.

Overall, it’s been a good day. The performance could’ve been better, but that’s just me being hypercritical.”