This Cup clash between two Ladybridge sides saw the Rangers go through to the next round but not without a lot of hard work against a spirited performance by the Wanderers.

The Rangers started the first half well, piling pressure on the Wanderers goal with Liam and Ben having efforts well saved by the Wanderers keeper. However, the Wanderers number one could do little about the opening goal.

Jake picked the ball up in midfield, beat a defender and fired a wicked shot that pinged in off the post to make it one nil to the Rangers.Yet from the restart the Wanderers came straight back into it and striker Matthew was unlucky to see his effort roll just wide of the far post. At the other end the Rangers got closer to a second as Ben and Jake hit shots just wide but moments later a goal finally arrived.

Liam collected the ball in defence and sprinted wide onto the right, from the edge of the area he hit a fierce cross-cum-shot that flew past the keeper into the back of the net to make it 2 – 0.

The new Ladybridge line up was working well. In goal Josh E was commanding his area successfully while Andrew in a rare outfield position played some great defensive football and linked up well with the midfield. In the midfield Jake, as ever, was putting himself about effectively while the ever hard working Alex and Ollie kept the Wanderers from carving out any clear chances while simultaneously creating opportunities up front and just before half time Ollie almost stretched the lead twice.

Firstly, an excellent run and shot was well held by the Wanderers impressive keeper and then a powerful shot was only kept out by a fantastic point blank save by the lad between the sticks. In the dying minutes the Wanderers almost pulled one back going close on two occasions but the Rangers managed to hold on to see out the first half.

The second half started with another change of positions and personnel. Dazza came on for Alex and went in goal while Josh moved into defence. Liam moved up into central midfield and Ollie went up front while Ben was replaced by James who went down the right wing.

The Rangers responded well to the changes and began to take control of the game. The Wanderers had their excellent keeper to thank for a string of brave saves that kept the score line down. Efforts from Liam, Jake and Ollie were matched by the goalie but he was powerless to do anything about the Rangers superbly taken third goal.

Ollie turned quickly to escape a defender and as the ball bounced up he hit a great shot that blasted in to the net. The goal seemed to settle the Rangers and the boys began to pass the ball around more. Liam in the centre and man of the match James on the right wing began to open up the Wanderers with some neat pass and move football.

James was also making excellent runs down the wing and supplying some great balls into the box. Good inter play between Josh, Ollie and James almost created a fourth but the latter’s shot went wide however a second excellent passage of play involving Liam, James and Ollie saw the little striker claim his second of the match with another superb finish to make it 4 – 0.

Shortly afterwards Alex and Ben were reintroduced for Ollie and Jake and both players made an instant impact. With his first touch Ben collected the ball on the left, threaded it through to Liam who finished calmly making the score five nil with ten minutes left.

Moments later Liam returned the favour, picking out Ben in front of goal who finished neatly to make it 6 – 0. In the final minutes Ben was denied a second when his effort skimmed the post and shortly afterwards the young ref, who controlled the game very impressively, blew the whistle to bring the game to a close.

Well done to both sides for a good game played in excellent spirit and on behalf of the Rangers I’d like to say good luck to the Wanderers for the rest of the season.