Rangers get the feeling they've been here before! (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Rangers get the feeling they've been here before!

IT was a distinct case of deja vu as Beeches notched up their second 2-1 victory over Hatherley Rangers in successive weeks in Division One of the Cheltenham League.

With the pitch at the Royal Agricultural College in immaculate condition and Beeches able to play better football, they finished as deserved winners on Saturday.

Yet again, a much changed back four took the field with reserve players, goalkeeper Mark Stephens and centre-back Sean Wiltshire deservingly keeping their places.

Messenger filled in at centre- half with Steve Jackson moving to left-back and Adie Rix returning at right-back.

While Rix was having an excellent game down the right flank, neither side dominated in the first 20 minutes, although Wiltshire had to be at his sharpest.

But Beeches' midfield then began to get on top with Saul Ricketts and Graham Mitchell breaking up the opposition's possession and feeding strikers Robbie Hopkins and Nigel Barry whose running troubled Hatherley all afternoon.

The first goal was made by a brilliant run and cross from Hopkins.

After receiving a difficult ball on the left, he beat the defence and from wide out whipped in a fabulous cross which beat everyone except the unfortunate right back.

He got his head to the ball and the pace was such that it flew in at the far post for an own goal and the lead. The home side increased their advantage five minutes later.

Another move down the left resulted in Kevin Pocock waving one of his wands and hitting a tremendous shot in off the far post from 30 yards.

Beeches thoroughly deserved their 2-0 half-time lead but, as in the previous week's encounter, they knew Hatherley would come back at them.

While Beeches looked solid in the first ten minutes of the second period, balls over the centre of the defence were causing problems.

From one such through pass, Neil Finlayson pounced and, despite Stephens getting a hand to the shot, the centre-forward pulled a goal back.

After this, the visitors initiated a series of good attacks and corners and Stephens made a superb save after Finlayson had hit a post and struck the rebound seemingly for the equaliser.

Beeches dug in and defended superbly with Wiltshire outstanding and Ricketts winning several important headers from Hatherley corners.

With Chris Smith, the manager's brother and a famous name in local football, coming on to play alongside Hopkins and Barry, Beeches were able to secure more possession.

Hopkins came close with a hooked shot on the turn which just missed, but neither side added to the score and it was Beeches who finished as well pleased winners.

The Corinium Motors man of the match was narrowly gained by Robbie Hopkins who seems to be really enjoying his football.