Rangers stretch unbeaten run.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
"We are progressing slowly," said St Ann 's Rangers coach Anthony Streete. "We have a lot of young players and they are only now beginning to understand the structure of the team and our goals.
"I know our fans were discouraged at the start but there is still a long way to go this season."
Rangers gave more tangible evidence of their revival at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Saturday night with a 2-2 draw against 2007 Pro League "Team of the Year", W Connection. Rangers, who were bottom of the table after the first four rounds, now occupy fifth place with Connection in fourth.
It was the fourth successive unbeaten match for Streete's squad too and might have ended better still if not for a late equaliser from Connection substitute Kerron Smith.
"It was one of the better games Rangers played this season," said Streete. "We showed a different level of team spirit."
The St Ann's outfit are traditionally strong starters. They were first on the scoresheet in five of their seven previous League fixtures. Incidentally, Rangers did not score at all in the two earlier league matches this season that they conceded the opener.
So, when Connection's Colombian signing Oscar Torijano put the "Savonetta Boys" ahead in the seventh minute following a splendid Teba Mc Knight cross, Rangers looked to be on shifting ground.
There was barely a peep from the visitors in the first half as Connection moved the ball around briskly without looking particularly menacing in the final third.
At the interval, Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier opted to remove playmaker and Trinidad and Tobago captain Aurtis Whitley to allow him to rest a tight hamstring.
"(Whitley) couldn't give 100 per cent," said Fevrier, "and he has a busy year ahead of him for club and country."
Whitley, who joined Connection last season after being released by champions Clico San Juan Jabloteh, has played in national colours more often than his club's strip this year. Fevrier might yet benefit from his compassionate approach with the talented midfielder later this season.
But, on Saturday night, it appeared to be Rangers who profited.
The Rangers midfield pair of Joseph "Gouti" Peters and Grenadian Ricky Charles had toiled with little success before the break but that changed just five minutes after Whitley's removal.
Winger Christon Thomas, one of several utility players in the Rangers squad, started the play with a thunderous 25-yard drive that flew across Connection goalkeeper Marvin Phillip and rebounded into play off an upright. Phillip had seconds to savour his reprieve before Charles caught the loose ball with a clean half volley off his left boot.
Streete reckoned that the Grenadian international struck the ball 40 meters away from goal. He was at least ten metres too generous in his estimation but that should not detract from Charles' excellent debut goal in the competition, which beat Phillip low to his right.
Remarkably, Peters matched his teammate's quality with another delightful strike in the 73rd minute to give Rangers a shock 2-1 lead.
Few mention Rangers' hard working utility player and former national youth player when discussion turns to the content of the "Soca Warriors". Some say Peters is too temperamental. Others say his commitment level wavers, (much the same negative comments that Whitley overcame to become national captain).
Whatever they say, the boy can play and Rangers' answer to combative Italian midfielder Gennaro Gattuso danced around three white Connection shirts before spanking a low right footed effort home at the near post.
He strutted on to the track to celebrate with chest puffed out as if to underline Rangers' blossoming self belief.
But Connection were not done yet.
They should have been level in the 76th minute as Smith rounded Rangers goalkeeper Shane Mattis but delayed his shot and ended with only a corner kick to show for an excellent scoring opportunity.
"Rangers played very well and I must credit our opponents this year who are getting better," said Fevrier. "But I think we not taking our chances and that is really hurting us at the moment."
Smith rescued Connection's blushes with a neat flicked header off an inswinging Jose Seabra corner kick in the 88th minute. But club owner David John Williams' cloudy expression at the final whistle suggested that he was far from satisfied.
Streete did not mind too much though.
"(Our players) are young and to keep them motivated is a challenge," said Streete. "But we are working on it and they are improving slowly People will find it hard to beat Rangers as the season goes on."
Connection would have to agree.
