A COMBINATION of suspensions, work commitments and cricket deprived Rangers of no fewer than seven players as they travelled to Bustleholme on Saturday, with just 12 players which included manager Roger Kitchener.

BUSTLEHOLME RESERVES 5, MALVERN RANGERS 0

With a number of players already carrying injuries, an injury to Martin Philpott early in the second half meant the introduction of the manager.

Rangers got off to the worst possible start on what must be the poorest playing surface in the league. After only four minutes centre half and captain Darren Smith scored at the second attempt after Rangers failed to clear the ball.

A Martin Philpott left-sided corner was met firmly by Mark White after 20 minutes which forced a good save from keeper Sandys Bains. Seventeen minutes later the keeper again prevented the equaliser from a left footed shot from Chris Davis.

However, five minutes later the home side scored a second decisive goal. An innocuous ball forward was headed back by Steve Walker to keeper Ross Sanders. The header lacked pace, the keeper lacked commitment and as a result Ian Robbins comfortably scored.

In the last minute of the half Simon Clarke had an effort hooked off the line.

In the opening two minutes of the second half another Martin Philpott corner was again won by Mark White but he headed over the crossbar.

After 20 minutes an excellent strike by Sam Styles went into the top corner of the net.

It was certainly at this point that heads went down and the players did not do themselves justice.

On 26 minutes the home side attacked down the left in so much space and substitute Mark Evans was allowed freedom to score.

Ten minutes before the end, the nap hand and humiliation was complete. A poor kick from Ross Sanders allowed Jermaine Smith to gain possession to go on and score comfortably.

Man of the match was Mark White.

BEWDLEY TOWN 3,

MALVERN RANGERS 0

THE previous Tuesday evening Rangers still had suspensions and work commitments to contend with but for 30 minutes matched Bewdley.

Bewdley took the lead on 29 minutes. They were awarded a free kick from some distance which was pumped into the area by Mike Harris and whilst it was missed by defenders, it bounced before keeper Ross Sanders and into the net.

Four minutes in to the second half a left sided cross saw Erving McMahon head over when well placed. Two minutes later a Martin Philpott free kick saw a Chris Davis shot saved by keeper James Pickett.

On 12 minutes Bewdley scored again, Rangers lost possession in midfield and the ball eventually reached the influential Chris Hough who slid the ball inside the post. Just three minutes later and it was 3-0. Substitute Terry Hughes crossed from the left and Chris Hough comfortably headed home. With this three goal cushion, whilst Bewdley obviously enjoyed the better of exchanges they were still kept on their toes, with Sam Black and Lee Richardson using their pace to good effect but Rangers were unable to reduce the deficit.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers scheduled game against Reality Sports has been cancelled as the Worcester-based side have withdrawn from the league.

Rangers were left kicking their heels on Wednesday evening when their scheduled Worcester Nursing Junior Cup final at St George's Lane was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The game has been re-arranged for Tuesday, May 18, with a changed venue, now at Pershore Town's ground, kick-off 7.30pm.