In blustery conditions Rangers deservedly took all three points against a Dudley Town team unbeaten in their opening games.

With Manager Tony Wall returning tomorrow, his assisstant Steve Tinley can take a lot of credit for two wins and a draw in his absence.

With skipper Mick Eagles snapped up by Willenhall Town of the Southern League, injuries, holidays and suspensions meant Rangers were down to the bare minimum with three of their subs just walking wounded.

Team

Smolak, Harris, Porter, Cook, Parrott, ( Rose-Laing 45), McFarlane, Tiernan, Biddle, N Pugh Bond, ( S Pugh 68), Yearwood Goal McFarlane (19)

Bookings Yearwood (90)

Man of the Match Andy Tiernan

Rangers had the advantage of a strong wind behind them in the first half as they made all the early running,putting the visitors on the back foot. A second minute corner gave Andy Tiernan a sight of goal but brave defending closed the door and as the ball broke to Simon Bond he hooked just wide of the mark.

Ex- Rangers keeper Mark Vaughan made an excellent point blank save (12) from Jamaine McFarlane after Danny Yearwoodhad exposed the Dudley backline with his pace.

In a repeat just seven minutes later Jamaine McFarlane made no mistake to blast the ball home from another teasing cross from Danny Yearwood.

Dudley made spasmodic attacks but were finding Chris Porter and Jason Cook in fine form and keeper Bart Smolak was a virtual spectator.

Simon Bond was beaten to the ball from another Yearwood cross (20), but then the striker was put clear with the visitors trying to play the off-side and should have put Rangers two up, but he checked and was robbed by a fine defensive challenge.

Dudley almost conceded an own goal (32) but the ball whistled inches wide from a Simon Bond cross. Keeper Mark Vaughan was kept busy and denied McFarlane his second with another fine save. Dudley were holding on looking for the half-time whistle and were fortunate to go in just one goal down at the break. Alex Parrott was forced to retire at half time with Andy Tiernan dropping in at full-back and Nathan Rose-Laing coming on to partner Simon Bond up-front with Danny Yearwood dropping into midfield.

Against the strong wind Rangers made a positive start with Danny Yearwood denied again by the Dudley keeper in a one on one situation, but the visitors began to push forward in search of an equaliser. It was Rangers keeper Bart Smolak who began to be tested but his handling was solid and the central defensive partnership of Chris Porter and Jason Cook restricted Dudley to long range efforts only.

Dudley took a gamble (63) replacing a full back with an extra midfield player but with just three at the back they looked vunerable to the pace of Nathan Rose-Laing supported by Danny Yearwood and Nicky Pugh.

Sean Pugh replaced Simon Bond (suffering from blisters) on 68 minutes with the game evenly balanced.

Dudley's best effort of the game saw Bart Smolak brilliantly tip a long range effort from Adrian Baddams over the bar (75).

The final fifteen minutes became a midfield battle with Rangers always looking dangerous on the break and Dudley running out of ideas.

The last minute of the game saw Danny Yearwood given just off-side as he lobbed the keeper from 25 yards but the whistle had gone and he ended up with a yellow card instead of what would have been a deserved goal.

A decent game in difficult conditions with Rangers carving out a host of chances but failing to convert, however someone is going to suffer once they find their shooting boots. A hardworking midfield unit protected a solid back-line through-out the game.

Dudley made one change from the opening day win at Ludlow with Simon Brooks coming in at right midfield with Rob Perks dropping to right back and Peter Wood moving over to left back. Town threatened straight from the start with Wood and Nicholls combining down the left to set up Beresford who should’ve done better volleying over from close range.

The opening goal was started and finished by Beresford, first the youngster played in Jamie Nicholls who forced a good save from the keeper who parried into the path of Beresford to tap in from six yards to take Dudley in with a half time lead. Dudley came out in the second half with a bang and within 5 minutes doubled their lead with a great move when Wood picked the ball up on left hand side and switched to Perks on the right who found Foster and Foster held the ball up and slid in Simon Brooks who delivered a pin point cross to Beresford who made no mistake heading home.

Much of the same followed with solid performances from Craig Gittens and Adrian Baddams dominating the midfield. A lot of credit must be handed out to Beresford s striking partner Scott Foster who looked strong linking the play and allowing Beresford the freedom to get in on goal. The only down to the day was allowing Bustlehome a consolation goal 2 minutes from time when Mark Vaughan pulled off a tremendous save but was beaten on the follow up.The Robins looked good for the win and will go into Monday’s Bank holiday clash at Wyrley Rangers full of confidence.

Today’s Line Up: Vaughan, Perks, Brown, Waterhouse, Wood, Brooks(Patel 70) Baddams, Gittens, Nicholls, Beresford, Foster(Ward 70), subs not used: Eardley, Rowe, Koumi,

Dudley started bright with Craig Gittens and Adrian Baddams looking in top form setting the pace linking with forwards Scott Foster and Craig Beresford. Dudley should have been one up after only ten minutes when the ball broke to Beresford but the youngster snapped at his shot not managing to trouble the Ludlow keeper.

Beresford didn't make the same mistake twice when Rob Perks found him six yards out and the youngster calmly placed the ball past the keeper to put The Robins one up. The same followed with Dudley playing some exiting football with Peter Wood and Rob Perks looking dangerous down the right hand side and the pair combined putting Beresford through and the 19 year old hit a ferocious 30 yard half volley which forced the Ludlow keeper in making the save of the match.

The second goal was straight of the training ground when Peter Wood picked out Adrian Baddams' run into the box with superb 40 yard pass who put it on the plate for Beresford who smashed home Dudley's second 5 minutes before half time.

The second half was much slower with Dudley playing more defensive and trying to keep the ball and few chances were created until around the hour mark when the ball broke at the edge of the Ludlow penalty area and Craig Gittens was first to react and fired the ball past the keeper rapping up the points for The Robins.

Ludlow went to four upfront for the final ten minutes and grabbed a consolation goal but it was a job well done by a young impressive Dudley side.

The game away to Great Wyrley on Wednesday night has been postponed so Dudley's next game is away to Bustlehome this coming Saturday.