BUSHEY RANGERS LADIES suffered a rare defeat at Vikings Greenford on Sunday, October 14, but the 5-0 scoreline was unfair reflection on the play.

The first half was evenly matched, and, if Bushey had taken their chances, they could have gone in ahead at the interval, but a defensive mix-up allowed Vikings to claim a 1-0 half time lead.

The referee, who had a poor game, missed a blatant Greenford handball during this period, an offence seen clearly by everyone else in the ground.

Rangers' troubles mounted with a series of injuries, including one to influential captain Kylie Butcher.

Two further goals accrued to Vikings early in the second period, one from a defensive lapse and another from good passing play that led to a fine shot.

Bushey's uphill struggle against the referee continued when another penalty was denied after Ollie Schofield was clearly tripped in the area, but only a corner was awarded.

Vikings became ever more buoyant at the decisions going their way, as Bushey's morale suffered further by conceding another sloppy goal, and a final one when the Greenford right wing back completed a superb solo run with a fierce shot into the corner of the net.

October 17, 2001 19:38