We would like to thank all Season Ticket Holders who took time to confirm their attendance for the first home game of the season.

We can confirm that we have a total of 250 confirmations made up of season tickets, junior members and Ashton fans. We therefore anticipate that we will have a maximum of 350 tickets available for purchase on the gates for SRFC fans. Once again season ticket holders can help us by arriving at the ground, if possible, by 2.15pm to further assist us in controlling numbers. Season Ticket holders will access through Gate A and will not need to provide any further information as we hold records for everyone.

Gate C will be open for Concessions and Gate D for everyone else. Anyone accessing through gate C or D will be asked by a steward positioned in front of the gate for their name and contact numbers, before proceeding through the gate. We would ask everyone to allow a little extra time and we will facilitate this as quickly as possible.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions we have had to reduce the number of seats available for fans who wish to sit in the stand. As we can’t use every row of seats and will need to manage individual bubbles or groups to ensure social distancing, we will need to manage where people sit and ask for your patience and co-operation. This will undoubtedly mean that some people who normally wish to sit in the stand will be disappointed. Everyone sitting in the stand will need to wear a mask.

We ask all fans standing around the ground to please ensure you social distance and play your part in ensuring Marston Road is as safe as it can possibly be.

Your safety is our primary concern and we thank you for your help. It has been a difficult time for everyone but despite the challenges we look forward to a great season with enthusiasm and a passion to succeed.

Up The Boro

In relation to this game and the ever changing dynamics and advice in respect of Covid-19, we would advise all fans that we will be taking names and contact numbers for everyone entering the stadium to ensure we fulfil all our Track & Trace requirements.

Season Ticket holder details are already held by the club so they can access through gate A as normal without providing any additional information.

Any other fan paying at the turnstiles C or D will need to provide their name and contact number to a steward positioned in front of the gate before they can go through. This will obviously take a little time so we ask all fans to be patient and give themselves more time to access the ground than they normally would.

The safety of all our fans is of paramount importance.

In a game that saw two strong teams cancel each other out for the first half hour, Rangers took the lead with a neat finish from Joe Cuff after some good approach work from Kenton and a Candlin shot that was blocked, Cuff found the bottom corner. Telford immediately struck straight back through Williams who turned home after King parried a Daniels shot into his path. The game then switched end to end for the rest of the half as momentum was raised. Callum Coyle dragged a shot wide from 18 yards as Telford escaped danger, while at the other end Vaughan supplied Oswell whose volley across goal was safely gathered by King.

Half time saw a whole new Telford side take the field so their fresh legs were expected to test their hosts, but they stood up well to the test. Expectedly, Telford were quick out of the blocks and had the first attack that Rangers rear guard dealt with efficiently.

On 53 minutes Telford took the lead as McHale won the ball, taking advantage of some rare slack cover from Rangers, worked his way into the right of the box and finished inside the near post. As they pushed for another, this time they only got as far as 18 yards as Rangers blocked the incoming effort. Rangers got back on terms with yet another excellent turn and finish from half time sub Jamie Sleigh, as the ball was worked on the right and delivered into his feet he turned and confidently finished.

After that, the dangerous McHale again tested King and Hardy hit the post after sending King the wrong way while Candlin hit the bar from around 30 yards for the hosts, via a sight deflection in the dying stages. Rangers pre-season schedule drew to a close with a strong performance against senior opposition, with a number of players missing, with Manager Jody Banim commenting “I thought it was a really great challenge against a team I think can be challenging towards the play offs in the division above us.”

In his post match interview, Jody also confirmed the signing of Reece Jones after his release from Stoke City.

Rangers
King, M. Williams, Keane, Burns, Harvey, Sebbeh-Njie, Kenton (Jones), J. Williams, Cuff (Thorley), Coyle, Candlin

Telford

Starting XI for the first half: Rawlins, Streete, Sutton, Meppen-Walter, Vaughan, Smith-Brown, Byrne, Walker, Daniels, Williams, Oswell.

Second half XI: Trialist, Trialist, Lilly, White, Trialist, McHale, Cowans, Bower, Hardy, Barnes-Homer, Davies.

Att 430
Report by Alan Gee