⚽ Pre-Match Preview: Rangers vs Belgrave Wanderers

Venue: KGV Grass
Kick-off: Saturday 4th October, 14:00

In what promises to be a heated early-season clash, Rangers return to home soil this weekend to face off against Belgrave Wanderers in a fixture that’s shaping up to be anything but ordinary.

The Rivalry Rekindled

Last season’s wooden spoon holders Belgrave Wanderers arrive at the KGV looking to make a statement, especially after their manager Chris Le Friec fired the opening shots of the season, declaring in pre-season:

“We have to be better than Rangers — that is a non-negotiable.”

Expect those words to echo in the Rangers dressing room come Saturday, as Charlie Pinsard’s side aim to turn talk into motivation and continue their mission of building a competitive force in the Priaulx League.

Form Guide

Both sides are still chasing their first points of the 2025/26 campaign, making this clash crucial in building momentum.

Rangers' recent results:

GW1: Lost 4-1 away to Sylvans (scoreline flattered the hosts)

GW2: Lost 3-1 away to St Martin’s

Bels' opening struggles:

GW1: Lost 10-2 at home to Vale Rec

GW2: Lost 4-1 away at Sylvans

GW3: Lost 2-0 home to St Martin’s

While the numbers don’t lie, neither side’s performances tell the full story. Rangers have shown flashes of promise but lacked a clinical edge. Belgrave, on the other hand, will be determined to prove their scorelines don’t reflect their grit and style.

Tactical Insight

Charlie Pinsard continues to deploy a balanced mix of experienced heads and homegrown youth talent. The summer transfer window has been busy at Rangers, with the arrivals of:

Alex Mourant, Fin Belnavis, Lorcan Gallagher, Dan Marquis, Tom McColl, Noa Avery, Leo Dean, Nick Kriaras, Jacob Perkins, Marco Phillips, Leon Simon, and talented youngster Ciaran Stumpf.

This injection of fresh legs has given Pinsard the luxury of squad depth — a resource he lacked last season.

Add to that the exciting prospect of Taylen Mills, a dynamic player shining at U16 and U18 level, and it’s clear Rangers are investing in more than just the present — they’re building a sustainable future.

Head-to-Head: 2024/25 Season

Sept 2024: 1-1 draw at St Andrews

Dec 2024: Belgrave 3-1 win at St Andrews

Apr 2025: Rangers 3-0 win at The Track

Dead even in points last season (4 points each), Saturday's encounter might just tip the scales.

What's at Stake?

To the neutrals, this may seem like an early-season “wooden spoon” clash — but to both clubs, it’s much more. It’s a tone-setter, a proving ground, and an opportunity to show they’ve taken a step forward from last season’s rebuilds.

With both managers looking to rally their sides out of early-season ruts, fans should expect a passionate, hard-fought battle — but expect drama, determination, and possibly, a season-defining spark for one of these rebuilding squads.