LIKE a vintage bottle of wine, Southampton Rangers appear to be getting better with time.

A recent revival has seen the Premier Division club secure back-to-back wins over Somerset Eagles (2-1) and a major upset (3-1) triumph that unmercifully wiped the "game face" from two-time defending league champions North Village Rams.

Currently sitting in fifth place in the standings with nine points from three wins, Rangers will undoubtedly seek to extend their fine form of late when ? apart from league leaders Dandy Town and Eagles ? the remaining clubs resume football action on January 11.

Thus far, Rangers have clearly demonstrated they can match their opponents. Apart from a 3-0 season-opening shut-out loss against high-flying Devonshire Cougars, remaining losses have seen the South Shore-based club come up short by the odd goal against Boulevard (2-1), Devonshire Colts (3-2), and another 2-1 defeat at the hands of Town.

But Rangers now seem to have turned the tide, as late results would suggest, with opportunistic poacher Janeiro Tucker back to doing what he simply does best ? scoring vital goals. Veteran defender Pernell Brangman, Travis Wilkinson and player/coach Meshach Wade have also been singled out for praise and appear to have finally settled matters out at the heart of the defence along with temperamental yet industrious Omari Hart.

Striker Herbie Dillas, meanwhile, has been in and out of action this season while Rohann Simons and midfielder Ottis Steede, who transferred from Somerset and PHC over the summer months, have both yet to really demonstrate the form for which they are capable of producing, at least on a consistent basis.

Still, that hasn't effected the team's ability to bang in the goals as they've scored 12 goals in seven games. Even with top 'keeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams between the sticks, however, Rangers have conceded 12 goals and are currently tied with Eagles for the third worse goals against record in the league.

And if the club is to avoid relegation or mount a serious challenge for silverware, then preventing opposing teams from scoring will have to take high priority.

Rangers' attack, meanwhile, could also be bolstered by the arrival of powerful striker McLee Smith, said to be looking "sharp" in training, in the new year.

"We had a rough start to the season as players looked to adjust to the pace of the Premier Division following promotion last season. So finding the right balance for the team has been a real challenge in the first half of the season," explained Rangers' technical director Rick Richardson.

"We had problems with our defensive unit," he continued. "I believe that to effect good offence you must first have things in order at the back. This, I believe is fundamental."

The recall of stalwart Brangman to the team proved to be the panacea. For, prior to his arrival, Rangers were conceding far too many goals within minutes of the kick-off, which is hardly a way to "win" matches, says Richardson.

Up front, Janeiro Tucker, who repatriated home following a two-year stint at Town, has been a welcoming asset in attack.

"Janeiro, who was not eligible to play at the start of the season, has added a new dimension to our attack," said Richardson. "He's getting fitter each match and showed some of his skills against North Village. Holding the ball up, giving midfielders time to link up and played more in the top third (of the pitch).

"We are also seeing more of Rohann Simons who has been plagued by injuries from the outset."

Richardson also singled out player/coach Wade, who continues to make a significant contribution to the team, both on game day and in practice.

"Meshach is doing a tremendous job. He leads by example, however, at times he needs to concentrate on just playing and this is where the support unit fits in," he said.

However, the team official is fully aware much work still lies ahead.

"We still have a great deal of work to do and we are certainly capable of playing much better. Some of the more skilful players such as Travis Wilkinson need to play a string of matches to gel with their team mates," he said.

Else for the opposition, each team in the division is "capable of beating the other", noted Richardson.

"It's a matter of employing the right strategy. It's extremely difficult in an eight team league. There is little or no room for error as one week you are near the top or at the bottom," he pointed out.

"We will try to remain sharp during the break and intend to be competitive and first look to hold our spot in the Premier Division. But it's much too early now to look beyond the next match."