BEWDLEY TOWN 3, MALVERN RANGERS 1

LAST season Rangers reached the final of the WFA Junior Cup for the first time in the club's history but it won't be a second time this season!

Rangers travelled to fellow West Midlands League opponents Bewdley Town, currently lying second in the table, and things didn't start well for Rangers, again struggling to field a side and 2-0 down in the first 12 minutes.

Having played second fiddle for almost the entire in the first half, when Rangers reduced the arrears in the second half a potential upset was on the cards until the home side scored a third, three minutes from time.

Bewdley opened the scoring after nine minutes when a tremendous cross by Keith Elliott was headed home at the far post by Chris Hough. The same player increased Bewdley's advantage three minutes later.

Two Bewdley substitutions resulted in Rangers enjoying far more possession in the second half.

On 28 minutes keeper James Pickett made a total hash of a back pass leaving Simon Brookes the simplest of tasks to reduce the arrears.

The keeper made amends after 39 minutes when substitute Ewan Castle unleashed a long range shot which he tipped over.

With three minutes remaining the home side made sure of their passage into the next round when John Hardiman slipped the ball to substitute Chris Bow who wrong footed Mark White to score.

This Saturday Rangers, sponsored by Willie Thorne's Snooker Club, entertain the current Worcester League Premier Division champions and holders of the Nursing Junior Cup, Tolladine Sports, in the quarter final of the competition at Victoria Playing Fields, kick off 1.45pm. Players to meet at the ground 12.45pm prompt.