There were no trialists on show in the starting eleven and apart from the odd tweak here and there we can expect the majority of this side to kick off the season. The start to the game though was a sluggish one and Rangers found themselves behind in contentious circumstances.

A ball was lofted over the static Rangers defence and they all appealed for offside. This was not a bad shout as the forward runner only looked to have strayed four yards past the last man. The flag was not forthcoming though and the ball flashed into the net via Day's left hand. The big keeper was clearly annoyed at the goal and part of this was probably down to the fact that having got there he probably should have kept it out.

The lead wasn't to last long as Gareth Ainsworth came up with an absolute pearler. Cutting across the field from left to right, he tracked the bouncing ball before unleashing a searing volley that left the Kettering keeper clutching thin air. It was a real gem and seemed to kick the whole team up a gear as some of the passing started to come off.

Midway through the half Marc Bircham took a blow to the knee and was replaced by Australian trialist Michael Kathopoulis. With an uncanny look of the Gavin Peacock's about him he immediately wanted the ball to feet and showed some neat and tidy touches all though a lot of what he tried didn't quite come off.

The second half saw the introduction of Marvin Robinson and Scott Minto on trial. Minto immediately looked at home at left back and did more than Tom Newey had managed in either game. Robinson also looked much better than he did at Aylesbury although I am not sure that he is what we need at the moment.

The second goal came courtesy of a lung bursting run from Steve Palmer. The skipper had looked pretty poor all day with the game passing him by all too often. All of a sudden he latched onto a Kathopoulis through ball and bore down on goal. He held off a challenge but went wide as he tried to round the keeper. He still had the presence of mind to turn and pick out Furlong who beat the keeper with a delicious chip.

The rest of the game was fairly end to end. Dennis Oli on the right was causing all sorts of problems and showing signs of developing into a fine player. He beat his man time and again and whipped in a number of dangerous crosses. Ainsworth was now operating on the left and always looked a threat when he tried to cut in and shoot.

This was a much better performance, especially in the second half, when some of the young player took a chance to show what they could do. For me Oli, Kathopoulis and Ainsworth were the players that stood out. I hope both Minto and Kathopoulis get another chance against Watford on Saturday as I think they could both turn out to be useful acquisitions.