Olly picked a starting XI of Cole, Shimmin, Evatt, Shittu, Hislop, Miller, Bean, Doherty, Brown, Moore and Furlong. Simon Royce had originally been named in the original selection and completed a full warm up before a late change was made. I can only assume that he picked up a minor knock and that it was not worth risking him in an encounter like this.

Rangers started the game quickly and were a goal up within the first five minutes. A long ball from back to front was nodded down by Furlong and Aaron Brown stole in from his left wing berth to fire right footed past the keeper. The Shots defence completely neglected to follow the run of Brown and the standard of defending got even worse for the second goal.

There was only 11 minutes played when Stefan Moore scored the second of the afternoon. This time Shittu lofted one forward and Furlong raced in for the ball as the keeper came off of his line. Furs got their first and lobbed the keeper only to see a defender hack the ball wildly off the line. Unluckily for him it fell into the path of Moore who made no mistake from six yards.

At the other end Rangers survived a scare when an Aldershot man rattled a header against Cole’s bar. The Shots were using Julian Alsop or Bananaman as he is known in Oxford, up front and aiming balls at him from all angles. This was a decent test for Shittu and Evatt as Alsop will put himself about and try his best to win any physical confrontation he is involved in, whether this be fruit based or not.

Alsop nodded a chance over Cole’s bar before Marcus Bean broke into the box at the other end before sending his shot out of the picturesque Rec. Moments before half time Aldershot gift wrapped a third goal for Rangers, a second of the afternoon for Brown.

A hopeful punt forward seemed to be drifting toward the Shots box before defender and keeper got into an almighty two and eight and left the ball to each other. Brown had gambled on such an error and was rewarded when he pinched the ball from the dallying duo and ran the ball into the gaping net.

At the break Hugo, Bignot, Bailey, Gallen, Cook, Santos and Sturridge came on for Shimmin, Hislop, Miller, Bean, Brown, Moore and Furlong. Things started slowly in the second half and it wasn’t long before some of the subbed players were back in action. Sturridge and Doherty both seemed to pick up minor knocks and this saw Moore and Miller back into the fray. The team seemed to be playing in an odd looking 4-3-3 formation with Cook in midfield and Santos up front. Georges was showing his limitations in that position and before the game ended he would be replaced by Brown.

From where we were Santos looked unlucky to have a goal ruled out when he challenged for a high ball with the fattest goalkeeper I have ever seen. He looked like he had a body warmer under his shirt and probably needed someone to tell him what brand of boots he was wearing. For all his blubber he was a decent keeper though and made a couple of good saves from Moore and Cook in particular.

Aaron Brown came close to grabbing his hat-trick when he and Gallen combined at a short corner and the former Bristol City winger smashed a shot that was deflected into the side netting.

Although this was a tepid slow paced affair played in blistering conditions there were a few displays of note. Cole looked comfortable again despite a second half moment and Shittu was as dominant as ever. Doherty was the pick of the midfielders and Bean provided an able foil. Brown took his goals well although he needs to cross earlier at times as he seemed to dally on the ball a little too often. In the second half Cook looked good when he came on and trialist Hugo showed his capacity for work with yet more lung busting charges down the right flank.

The only issue is the number of players that seem to be getting injured at the moment. Potentially another three today in Royce, Doherty and Sturridge to add to the already crocked Bircham, Rowlands and Ainsworth. Rose was also missing today and nobody will be shocked if he is injured again. It is just under a week to the next game against Iran so let’s hope the cotton wool is out and everyone is wrapped up safe and sound.   

simon@qprnet.com