Rangers rounded off their pre season programme with an impressive win over money wasting Fulham. A Ben Sahar brace did for our close neighbours but the game was marred by what looks like a broken leg for last weeks signing Simon Walton. 

Gregory chose as strong a line up as he had available to him and it is likely to be the one that starts next weekend bar a couple of tweaks. Camp started in goal behind Rehman, Mancienne, Stewart and Barker. Moore, Walton, Bolder and Rowlands were in midfield with Sahar and Blackstock up top. 

As they had at Harrow Borough during the week, Rangers started the game brightly. A couple of early balls into the box showed up Zat Knight’s lack of ability under the high ball with some Georges Santos 50p head efforts careering out for corner kicks. Blackstock tested Fin Niemi with a low strike after Moore fizzed a ball into the box. 

Fulham took the lead with their first attack in anger but in truth it was an absolute giveaway. A long diagonal ball from Chris Baird on the right caught Mancienne out and Healy got the run on him and managed to steer a header back along the six yard line. There still didn’t look to be much danger as Stewart planted his foot and prepared to hook the ball away but McBride seized on the chance, blindsided Stewart and bundled the ball past Camp. It was to be the first of a number of errors the Jamaican centre back would make in a leaden footed first half performance. 

Things got worse soon after when Walton crumpled in a heap following a challenge in midfield. From where I was sitting it didn’t seem that bad a challenge but you could see immediately that he was in trouble as he signalled frantically to the bench. He was duly splinted up and stretchered off, early indications are that it is a broken leg but it’s anyone’s guess how long he will be missing for. 

Bailey came on to replace him in the middle of the park and Rangers had a wobbly few minutes as they tried to re-focus. Lee Cook was making his debut for Fulham and looked about 25% fit as he struggled to get into the game. There was no hint of a jinking run and when Rehman chopped him down he could be seen muttering, “he is fucking shit”, as he wandered away. The crowd gave him a bit of stick and he in turn gave some back and all of a sudden the Lee Cook Love In was over! 

Healy and McBride both fired tame shots straight at Camp late in the half but despite having the better of the chances Fulham were slightly fortunate to be ahead based on possession. At half time O’Sanchez replaced Cook with Volz and had a reshuffle which saw Paul Konchesky pushed up to left wing. Rehman must have been delighted as the former Charlton and West Ham man is one of the poorest players to ever have the cheek to accept an England cap. 

Moore was looking lively down the right flank and he sent a brilliant ball into the box that was crying out for Blackstock to bury. Unfortunately he missed the chance but Sahar collected the ball at the back stick, after working some space he lashed a wild shot across goal that went out for a throw! 

Fulham had a chance to double their lead when the otherwise impressive Rehman slipped and allowed McBride a sight of goal. The veteran Yank fired another shot straight at Camp when he should have done better. Therein lies the problem with Rehman also, he can play well for 89 minutes but you know that he will do something that has you watching the game through your fingers! 

Just before the hour mark Rangers were level thanks to Sahar. Baird had been moved to centre back at half time and looked a shadow of the player he did at right back. His attempted long pass was sent back toward the Fulham goal by Bolder and Sahar robbed Knight as the instructions took an age to get from his brain to his feet. The young Israeli turned Knight before slamming the ball high into the net. 

Moore went close to scoring moments later when he picked up the ball in midfield and accelerated toward the Fulham defence. Space opened up in front of him and his twenty yard blast was beaten away by Niemi. O’Sanchez made a host of changes for the visitors and this disrupted them even more. 

Ten minutes after scoring the first, Ben Sahar grabbed his second of the game after seizing on yet more poor Fulham defending. Baird was involved again, firing a pass into the feet of Papa Bouba Diop that Bolder saw and didn’t give The Wardrobe a chance to control. Baird had stepped back and played Sahar onside and he turned quickly before slotting the ball past sub keeper Tony Warner. Both goals were as cool as you like and Sahar certainly seems like a player who could be a real menace this season provided he gets some decent service.  

Collins John should have equalised for Fulham when a curling cross from the left found him goal side of Stewart. The Dutch striker got a good contact but could only find Camp’s midriff, a poor effort in truth. Liam Rosenior was on by now and his cross was somehow scooped across goal and out for a goal kick when it seemed certain to end up in the net.

Fulham’s final chance of the game came when Diop collapsed like a drunken tart on a night out in Newcastle and referee Woolmer obliged him with the softest of free kick awards. The giant Senegalese went back and started a fast bowlers run up only for Konchesky to try a curler that barely left the deck, typical play from a truly shocking player. 

As the final whistle brought the curtain down on this pre season there was certainly plenty to be pleased with. Sahar looks a real find, Barker looked good, shame he still has a three game ban to serve, Moore and Rehman seemed reformed characters (hopefully) and Bolder and Rowlands were strong and committed throughout. The one downside was the cruel injury to Walton and that does leave us light in the middle of the park, something Gregory will hope to rectify in the coming few days I am sure.

simon@qprnet.com