MUMBLES Rangers travelled to Pontarddulais Town for their first away game in the West Wales Premier League on Saturday (Sept 11).
Rangers welcomed back their influential captain and talisman Chrissy Allen to their starting lineup.
On a fine Autumnal day it was Rangers who were on the front foot from the off.
Rangers thought they had taken the lead within ten minutes of this game when striker Chrissy Allen headed the ball into the Pontarddulais goal net only to see his goal chalked off by the referee because of a foul on the defender.
Pontarddulais broke through the Rangers defence on occasions but goalkeeper Callum Andrews was in total command of his goal area.
Rangers were dominating the play and possession in the first with Allen proving a real handful for the Pontarddulais defence.
Rangers were creating good chances but just couldn’t find the finish needed to reward their first half efforts.
The second half was more of an even affair as the home team played more on the counter attack.
Rangers were still pushing for a win and forward Mathew Thomas was unlucky to see his strike hit the crossbar and rebound to safety.
Rangers substitute Kevin Bartley thought he had broken the deadlock but his strike hit the post.
It looked like it wasn’t going to happen for Rangers but with eight minutes to go in the game Rangers midfield dynamo Jordan Lloyd-Evans played a through ball into the path of Chrissy Allen who slotted the ball passed the Pontarddulais keeper Wyn Walters to score the goal that Rangers play had deserved.
Pontarddulais fought hard to get themselves back in the game as the action moved back and forth.
Rangers showed their defensive qualities and dug deep to preserve their lead and held on until the final whistle.
A really entertaining game with the home side coming more into the game in the second half.
Rangers manager Eirian Rees will be very pleased to have picked their first win in the West Wales Premier League.
