RANGERS suffered their worst defeat for many seasons but how can one legislate for the number of players that were absent for so many reasons?

HINTON 8, MALVERN RANGERS 0

Before Saturday arrived six players were known absentees, so a squad of 15 was thought to be available. At kick off this had reduced to 11, which included the management team of Roger Kitchener and Phil Llewellyn. To compound matters Rangers played Hinton, who finished third in the Division One South table last season.

Ross Semple opened the scoring after seven minutes when looking offside he was allowed to carry on for a simple goal. After 18 minutes Ross Sanders made a great save to deny Semple but was beaten after 29 minutes when John Williams scored a good goal from a flick on.

On 39 minutes Sanders again denied Semple before two goals in a minute, a minute before half time really killed the game off. Firstly Chris Gough scored at the far post from an excellent right wing cross before Ross Semple scored his second goal with another simple score.

After seven minutes of the resumption Ross Sanders continued his personal battle with Semple to again deny the centre forward only to be beaten a minute later by full back Mike Marsden.

Semple did complete his hat trick after 11 minutes with a shot in off the underside of the bar. After 25 minutes he scored his fourth goal with an excellent lob over Sanders and the scoring was completed on 32 minutes when substitute Steve Lamb had a simple tap in at the far post.

The incidents didn't stop there however as in the last five minutes or so Hinton were reduced to nine players when Chris Gough and Steve Lamb were cautioned for not retreating far enough for a Mark Tipton free kick.

Shortly afterwards Gough received a second yellow card and in a separate incident minutes after Gough's dismissal Lamb received his second yellow card for kicking the ball away.

Man of the Match Craig Penney.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers, sponsored by Willie Thorne's Snooker Club, travel to last season's runners up Bewdley Town for a Division One South fixture, kick off 2.45pm, players to meet Brooklyn Motors 12.45pm, The Swan, Whittington 1pm.