Sep 13, 2017 | Club News
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Tuesday 12 September 2017
A goal early in the second half sent Rangers to defeat at Warrington despite a battling performance against the league leaders. Manager Neil Kitching gave a debut to new signing Osebi Abadaki but he struggled to make an immediate impact as Warrington created the better chances in an otherwise evenly fought opening 45 mins. The Wire’s first look in came on 9 mins when Abou Sanogo played in Joe Mwasile but Kai Davis’ excellent challenge denied the Warrington man a shot.
A couple of minutes later, Tony Gray supplied Mwasile who in turn picked out Sean Williams but Adam Whitehouse saved well with his foot. Rangers immediately switched play to the opposite end and saw Jack Sherratt’s long range effort pass just the wrong side of the post. Whitehouse saved again on 15 mins, this time from Jack Langston after Gray’s low centre deflected wickedly off the midfielder’s boot towards the near post. Kieran Morris and Abadaki were both off target for Rangers midway through the half before Whitehouse was saving Rangers again when he tipped over a header from Warrington skipper James McCarten.
The remaining 15 mins of the half failed to produce any further chances and the two sides headed in at the break all square. After a solid defensive display in the first half, it as a disappointingly soft goal just 6 minutes into the second that ultimately gave Warrington the points. Rangers lost possession in midfield allowing a break on the Warrington left. Bradley Barnes failed to control Rory McKeown’s centre but made no mistake at the second time of asking when Gray set him up with a simple tap home. Izak Reid did have the ball in the Warrington net midway through the half but was flagged offside after Dan Westwood ‘s initially shot had been partially saved then Langston curled one over a minute later but target man Dan Westwood barely got a sniff.
Sanogo wasted a great chance to double Warrington’s lead late on but his side had just about done enough.
Warrington: 1 Tony McMillan, 2 Adam Carden, 3 Rory McKeown, 4 Bradley Barnes, 5 James McCarten, 6 Liam Goulding, 7 Joe Mwasile (12 Ruben Jerome 59m), 8 Sean Williams (15 Gerard Kinsella 75m), 9 Tony Gray, 10 Connor Hughes (17 Caleb Richards 70m), 11 Abou Sanogo. Unused Subs: 14 Dylan Vassallo, 16 Shaun Beeley
Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Sam Griffiths, 3 Kai Davis (17 Richard Gregory 79m), 4 Kieran Morris, 5 Exodus Geohaghon, 6 Jack Langston, 7 Izak Reid, 8 Osebi Abadaki (14 Joe Thomas 73m), 9 Dan Westwood, 10 Jack Sherratt, 11 Richard Batchelor (15 Levi Reid 62m). Unused Subs 12 Mat Bailey, 16 Louis Briscoe
Cautions: Kinsella (Warrington); Geohaghon, Davis, Gregory (Stafford)
Referee: Daniel Issawi
Att: 201
Sep 6, 2017 | Club News
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Tuesday 5 September 2017
A late strike from Jack Sherratt rescued a point for Rangers at Halesowen Town on Tuesday night.
The opening 45 mins was a rather disappointing affair with neither side posing too much of a threat to the opposition goal.
Halesowen probably had the better of things with Daniel Udoh and Lee Chilton working hard to find a way into the Rangers area but without finding an end product.
The half needed a goal and Rangers thought they had one on 8 mins when Dan Westwood headed home from a Sherratt cross but was flagged offside.
Halesowen took heart from their let off and saw Chilton go just wide and Oliver Finney put another effort high over.
For Rangers, Westwood and Jack Langston both put shots straight at Daniel Platt without really troubling the Halesowen keeper.
The home side had a great opportunity when Chilton put Udoh through. Adam Whitehouse forced him wide and when the return ball came to Chilton, Exodus Geohaghon was on hand to block.
The second half opened little better but on the hour, Halesowen sparked some life into proceedings when they hit the bar through a header from Finney and Udoh was unable to snap up the rebound with Mat Bailey and Geohaghon blocking the line.
It was Finney who broke the deadlock on 62 mins with a smart finish after a move involving Udoh and James Spray had worked a way through the Rangers defence. Finney still had plenty to do but found the back of the net following a quick turn and shot.
The goal sparked a triple substitution for Rangers and they immediately showed more urgency.
One of the new faces, Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson went just wide after good play from Richard Batchelor then Rangers had penalty appeals turned down when Langston’s shot struck the arm of a Halesowen defender.
The goal Rangers needed came 8 mins from time when Louis Briscoe spotted Sherratt free on the edge of the area and the midfielder gave Platt no chance.
From then on, Rangers looked the most likely winners but Halesowen, happy to settle for a point, packed the defence to secure the draw.
Halesowen: 1 Daniel Platt, 2 Kyle Morrison, 3 Jack Kelly, 4 Alexander Woodhouse, 5 Dominic Smith, 6 Asa Charlton, 7 Matthew Smith (14 Cameron Steele 78m) 8 Oliver Finney, 9 James Spray (12 Luke Shearer 74m), 10 Daniel Udoh (15 Roland Agbor 85m), Lee Chilton. Unused Subs: 16 Jack Alexander, 17 Niall Maher
Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Kieran Morris, 3 Kai Davis, 4 Jack Langston, 5 Matthew Bailey, 6 Exodus Geohaghon, 7 Jack Sherratt, 8 Levi Reid (12 Louis Briscoe 67m), 9 Dan Westwood (16 Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson 67m), 10 Richard Gregory (17 Izak Reid 67m), 11 Richard Batchelor. Unused Subs: 14 Joe Thomas, 15 Samuel Griffiths
Cautions: Geohaghon (Rangers)
Referee: Darren Wilding
Att: 261
Sep 4, 2017 | Under 18's Match Report
Midland Floodlit Youth League
Stafford Rangers U18’s 3-1 Solihull Moors U18’s
Newly formed Stafford Rangers Under 18’s started the new campaign in the Midland Floodlit Youth League with and excellent 3-1 win over fulltime academy side Solihull Moors.
The Boro boys side is a combination of U16’s 17’s & 18’s and helped by various coaching staff with the support from First team manager Neil Kitching.
Stafford started brightly with some nice interchanging passing and it came as no surprise when Rangers took the lead, Josh Moody beat his defended and crossed for OWEN TURNER to head home at the far post on 22 minutes.
Rangers were in dream land 5 minutes later when Turner became provider for JOSHUA HAYNES to fire home form 20 yards.
Stafford continued the good work with Lewis Norman controlling the back four and both Jamie Elkes and Callum Woolley bossing the midfield, upfront Jordan Dodd was running himself into the ground as the lone striker.
Following the interval Solihull started to throw players forward with a change of formation, and after a few close efforts it was soon 2-1. Stafford gave away a cheap free-kick which was delivered into the far post and prodded home from close range. Boro keeper Tom Degg produced 2 excellent saves to keep Solihull at Bay and with 10 minutes remaining Rangers LUCAS BURNETT was sent clear by Mason Ward and the 15 year forward made no mistake to make it 3-1., he should have doubled his tally in the final few minutes but he delayed his shot and allowed the defender to clear.
Overall a positive start for Stafford who this week face Barnsley WMA at Marston Road on Thursday 7th September Kick off 7:45pm
Stafford Starting XI
Degg, Craddock, Baike, Norman, Grant, Elkes, Haynes, Woolley, Dood, Moody, Garfield
Subsistutes Burnett, Ward, Richards, Turner, Litherland (GK)
Sep 3, 2017 | Club News, Uncategorised
Rangers came up against a lively and determined opposition in this FA Cup opener. Sports showed their intent from the off and in only the third minute, Josh Moreman attacked down the left where he fad Mark Jones and his first effort was saved by Whitehouse and his follow up hit the bar. Rangers briefly responded but Gregory’s effort was way over.
On six minutes Moreman again fed Jones from the left and as he turned inside curled a shot into the far corner to give the hosts the lead. Rangers again responded with a weak effort as Langston went well wide but it was Sports who carried the danger, with Moreman, Jones and Viera being a constant threat. On 31 Geohaghon was booked for a block on Viera and Sports couldn’t capitalise on the free kick. Sherratt then had Rangers first serious effort as he forced Butcher into a double save. Moreman ensured Sports finished the half on top as he fired wide from 20.
The second half started at a higher pace but now it was Rangers forcing the issue. Westwood and Bailey both had early chances blocked before Gregory picked up and found the bottom corner from 20 yards to level. Rangers continued to make it a game of two halves as Gregory, Sherratt and Westwood all came close as Rangers piled it on. On 68 minutes with the hosts under more pressure, Batchelor pounced on the ball and slotted home from six yards to give Boro a deserved lead. The game was never going to be a foregone conclusion, with both teams going for it.
On 77 Lewis Webb rose unchallenged at the back post to draw things level again then on 84, Dan Lawlor was booked for a foul, some way outside Spirts’ box and Jack Langston stepped up to curl a free kick in off the post for 3-2. Sports again hit back and attacked from the restart and the dangerous Moreman levelled things again! With both teams capable of snatching something it was Boro who came strong at the end and Batchelor again popped up to seal the result and send the travelling band home happy.
Aug 31, 2017 | Club News
Hednesford claimed the local bragging rights with Matt Dodd scoring the only goal just after the hour mark of a disappointing Staffordshire derby. A crowd of 1,226 turned up on a hot Monday afternoon but there was little on offer to inspire them. The game had started ok and had James Wren not turned Richard Batchelor’s header away for a corner in the 3rd minute, it might have been a different story.
Hednesford got their first look in on 8 mins when Luke Rodgers created an opening but he sent his shot well wide. Louis Briscoe found Izak Reid well placed to put Rangers ahead on 15 mins but he screwed his shot wide of Wren’s right hand post. Hednesford upped the tempo with some short sharp passing but didn’t cause too many problems for Adam Whitehouse. Green sent one effort high over the top from the edge of the area while the best opportunity came from a James Lawrie free kick that flashed across the face of the Rangers goal but didn’t get the touch the Pitmen needed.
Hednesford were first to show in the second half with Whitehouse forced to keep out Green’s shot with his feet five minutes after the resumption. Soon after, Alex Melbourne hit a shot straight at the Rangers keeper. Richard Batchelor went close for Rangers when he got the better of Lawrie, only for Wren to save at head height at his near post but Hednesford still looked the most threatening.
On the hour, Whitehouse needed a second go to keep out a shot from Lawrie but he was left helpless a minute later. Tom Thorley was given acres of space all afternoon and finally made Rangers pay when he picked out Matt Dodd who, with one touch, took the ball past Whitehouse before rolling it into the unguarded net. In the remaining half hour, neither side looked like adding to the score as the two keepers were largely untroubled. The closest Rangers came was in the final minute when Sam Oji had to head off the line from a Jordaan Brown free kick.
Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Kai Davis (12 Exodus Geohaghon 84m), 3 Jordaan Brown, 4 Kieran Morris, 5 Mat Bailey, 6 Levi Reid, 7 Izak Reid, 8 Louis Briscoe (15 Jack Langston 72m), 9 Dan Westwood, 10 Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson (14 Kyle Perry 67m), 11 Richard Batchelor. Unused Subs: 16 Jack Sherratt, 17 Bradley Caswell
Hednesford: 1 James Wren, 2 Lewis Wright, 3 Alex Melbourne, 4 Kris Taylor, 5 Jim Mutton, 6 Sam Oji, 7 Matt Dodd, 8 Tom Thorley, 9 Luke Rodgers (12 Danny Glover 72m), 10 James Lawrie, 11 Devarn Green (14 Ben Bailey 84m). Unused subs: 15 Jordan Nadat, 16 Stephen Palmer, 17 Jose Veiga
(Lawrie and Rodgers were listed as 9 & 10 respectively on the team sheet but wore the opposite shirts)
Cautions: Westwood, L Reid (Rangers), Taylor, Rodgers (Hednesford)
Referee: Mark Howes
Att: 1,226
