Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Saturday 6 October 2018

Stafford Rangers suffered their third consecutive defeat and lost their unbeaten home record, but it was another afternoon where they could have had something from the game if a little more luck had gone their way.
Following Tuesday’s defeat at Marine Rangers fielded two new faces in the starting line up with Morgan Bacon replacing Adam Whitehouse in goal while Morgan James came in to midfield. Jack Sherratt and Sam Coulson were on the bench.

In an evenly matched game, Stafford started the better of the two sides and went close when Theo Bailey-Jones struck the post from around 15 yards out with Scarborough keeper Thomas Taylor just watching.

A couple of minutes later, Harry Benns dispossessed Bailey Gooda allowing Louis Briscoe to advance but he chose to shoot from distance and the ball went tamely wide.

Benns himself went wide when well-placed but both sides then found chances increasingly hard to come by and the half was well past the midway point before the visitors had a shot on goal and on that occasion Luke Dean saw his effort deflected wide.
Up to then, Stafford had looked the better side and it was against the run of play on 30 mins that Scarborough went ahead. A goal kick from Taylor was eventually hooked forward by Michael Coulson and Wayne Brooksby found space on the edge of the box. His shot took a slight deflection, but it was enough to send the ball past Bacon via his left-hand post.

Gooda made a goal line clearance to deny Bailey-Jones with Kyle Perry waiting to pounce but Stafford levelled on 38 mins when Briscoe’s corner was headed in by Tom Thorley. The corner came after Taylor had had to throw himself to his right to push away a Briscoe free kick.

But it was short lived parity and Scarborough were back in front on 41 mins when James Walshaw took advantage after Morgan James had failed to clear the lines. The two sides traded chances early in the second half, but it was Scarborough who were to add to their score on 54 mins when Kevin Burgess headed in at the back post from a Coulson corner.

Bailey-Jones went close to reducing the arrears after being let in by an error from Gooda, but he struck the Scarborough post for the second time in the afternoon while, at the other end, Coulson saw his shot tipped onto the bar by Bacon then Banks denied Walshaw with a timely tackle. Rangers kept working but a lack of creativity and firepower meant there was no way back. The nearest they came to scoring was when Briscoe forced a save from Taylor in added time.

Stafford: 1 Morgan Bacon, 2 Lewis Banks, 3 Harrison Holgate, 4 Luke Jones, 5 Morgan James (16 Jack Sherratt 46m), 6 Tom Marshall, 7 Theo Bailey-Jones, 8 Tom Thorley, 9 Kyle Perry, 10 Harry Benns (12 Joe Cuff 61m), 11 Louis Briscoe. Unused Subs 14 Sam Coulson, 15 Izak Reid, 17 Adam Whitehouse
Scarborough: 1 Thomas Taylor, 2 Joshua Lacey, 3 David Merris, 4 Luke Dean, 5 Kevin Burgess, 6 Bailey Gooda, 7 Wayne Brooksby, 8 Nathan Valentine, 9 James Walshaw (16 Jackson Jowett 87m), 10 Michael Coulson, 11 James Cadman (15 Jack Johnson 73m). Unused Subs 12 Tom Morgan, 14 Ross Killock

Cautions: None
Referee: Jack Neild
Att: 601

Report: Chris Elsley

Are you or do you know anyone in Year 11?

Stafford Rangers are looking for talented, committed and ambitious local footballers who wish to join a semi-professional academy in the Evo-Stik League where they will #Study, #Train and #Play full time after leaving school in 2019.

Our students study for a BTEC in Sport qualification (Level 2 or 3), train every day with an UEFA qualified coach and play in the NPL Football Academy League with opportunities to play in the FA Youth Cup.

Starting in September 2019, the Stafford Rangers ‘Education and Football Academy’ is an alternative to college and is ideal for any 16/17 year old who wants to gain a great education and develop as a footballer at the same time.

TRIALS are taking place in the forthcoming half term holidays:-

DATE: Thursday 1st November

TIME: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

VENUE: Rowley Park Sports Stadium 3G pitch, Averill Road, Stafford, ST17 9XX

If you would like to attend, please register your details here

At the Stafford Rangers Academy you will study, train and play full time.

STUDY:
– Alternative to college
– BTEC in Sport 3 (equivalent to 2/3 A Levels)
– Two year programme
– Study in the classroom with your team mates
– Opportunities to gain experience at the football club

TRAIN:
– Experienced & UEFA qualified coaches
– Train three/four times a week
– Improve technical ability and fitness on a daily basis
– Opportunities to train with the first team

PLAY:
– In the NPL Football Academy League
– Opportunities to play in the FA Youth Cup
– Games played at Evo-Stik League stadiums
– Opportunities to progress to the first team
– Opportunities to play for the inter-league team against
professional clubs.

EXTRAS:
– All matches are filmed, analysed and shown in a weekly highlights package online with our video partners FilmMyMatch 
– Opportunities to take part in online challenges against other students 
– Opportunities to study, play and coach in the USA by gaining a scholarship
– Progress onto our three-year university degree course 

Take a look at the NPLFA’s success stories – https://nplfa.co.uk/graduates/– and activate your ambition now by applying at nplfa.co.uk/register

Like any away game we want as many fans to travel to support the team. However, this fixture appears to be difficult to drum up the support other than the hardy regulars. This fixture is a midweek game, so fans may have to finish work early and then battle any Liverpool rush hour traffic. Everton are at home the same night, with other European games on TV. Finally, Rossett Park has never been a happy hunting ground for Rangers, who must be determined to put Saturdays result out of their minds.
So, let’s look at the positives. We are 10th with 14 points from our 10 games while Marine lie 17th with 9 points from their 9 games, and only recorded their first home win on Saturday against Hednesford. We need to hope that marine are saving themselves for their FA Cup visit to Brackley.

The name of Marine Football Club always causes amusement as to their origin. Marine were formed in 1894 and taking their name from the Mersey river front hotel where the founders met.

We do have something in common with Marine this season, in that a week after Phil Thompson appears in the Rangers Social Club with a Stripes Sportsman’s night, he is appearing at Marine. However, they charge £30, so our £25 is a bargain for those who have not yet booked.

For the travelling fans the admission is, adults £10, concessions £5and children under 11 free if accompanied by an adult. If you a season ticket holder at Liverpool, Everton, Tranmere or AFC Liverpool, then you can get in for £5.

For those travelling by car the Marine Post Code is L23 3AS, and you are looking at around 90 minutes for the 80-mile single journey. For train users, you need to leave Stafford before 17:30, but unless you leave the game midway through the second half you do not get home till Wednesday. For many, I hope the supporters coach is running.

It happened today 2nd October this century.

2004 Kettering H, FA Cup 2nd qual 2-2 (won the replay1-0 and bowed out to Chester in round 1)
2010 Hinckley A, 0-4
2012 Rugby H, FA Trophy 1st Qualifying round replay 1-0. (Went out to Southport in round 1)

The Marine Travel Arena
College Road
Crosby
Liverpool
L23 3AS

Click here for website

Rangers were soundly beaten on their first competitive visit with in-form Alistair Waddecar bagging four as Boro were severely punished.

Match Report to follow.

This Saturday we travel to Bamber Bridge for the very first time. Bamber Bridge, known as “Brig” came up into the NPL last season via the play offs, beating Prescott 1-0 in front of 1628 fans.

The current side were formed in 1974 with the amalgamation of two clubs and played for many years in the Preston & District League. They purchased land to build their current ground in 1983 and have continued to develop it to meet relevant ground gradings. 1990 they joined the North West Counties league and made steady progress to get to the Northern Premier League. However since those heady days they have been a bit of a yo -yo club, like ourselves explaining why it is only now that the two sides meet. Brig currently lie below us in the league at 14th with 10 points from their 7 games, but unbeaten at home.

For travelling fans the gate prices are £9, £6 concessions, £1 11-16 year old and under 11 free. These prices for children only apply if accompanied by an adult. In any event the prices are certainly cheaper than last Saturday at Kings Lynn.

For fans travelling by train, you will see the ground on your left as you approach Bamber bridge station. For train travellers I would recommend split ticketing, purchasing Stafford Preston return and Preston Bamber Bridge return to secure a cheaper rate, and advance booking will make even greater savings. Those wanting to travel by coach there is a coach running. Pop into their office on the car park or get in touch through social media.

Let’s get the away following increasing following our win on Tuesday, as we have a somewhat less arduous journey of a round trip of 155 miles to make after last Saturday.

On this date this decade, 29th September:

2001 A 1-0 win at Newcastle town in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying round.
2007 Rushden away 1-1 in the Conference
2009 Coventry Sphynx at home in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying round and the infamous 3-2 defeat.
2012 A 1-1 draw away at Rugby in the FA Trophy and a 1-0 win later in the replay
2015 A 6-0 thrashing of Belper at home in our NPL Division 1 winning season.

Bamber Bridge Football Club

Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Irongate
Brownedge Road
Bamber Bridge
Preston
PR5 6UU

Click here to go to website