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

We have already informed you that the game will be segregated but Telford fans will now be welcomed into the Chairman’s suite where they can use the bar and will be able to purchase food. We have also decided that all fans will be able to drink outside the bar, within the ground. The weather forecast currently is dry and this will help in ensuring we can maximise social distancing at all times. We ask all fans to follow all the signs posted in bars and any area where social distancing is required.

The safety of everyone attending the game is of paramount importance to Stafford Rangers.

Please familiarise yourself with our Spectator Code of Conduct, which can be accessed here.

We recommend that everyone uses a face mask but the wearing of facemasks is a mandatory requirement for all fans seated in the stand at all times.

Stafford Rangers fans will continue to use the John Downing suite and as stated above drinks will be able to be taken outside. The fans bar will not however be able to be open for this game.

Ranger’s fans will access the ground through gates C & D, Telford fans will access through gate F. Gates will open at 1pm.

At a time of great change and constant challenges in respect of the pandemic, we all need to have a great day out enjoying great football in a great atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Marston Road on Saturday.

Stafford Rangers look forward to welcoming all Telford fans to Marston Road for the last game before the league kicks off on the 19th September.

This game is not all ticket but Telford have confirmed their allocation of 140 tickets and the away turnstile (F) will be open for their fans to access the ground.

This game will be segregated. Full track and trace details will be provided by Telford to SRFC.

Stafford fans will access the ground through turnstiles C & D.

If anyone wishes to sit in the stand please be aware that face masks need to be worn at all times. The safety of fans, volunteers and staff is our key priority.

Please take time to read our Spectator Code of Conduct which can be accessed here.

Ticket Prices are £10.00 per adult and £3.00 for under 16’s, no other concessions will apply.

Some important notes

• The social club will be open but access to the bars will only be permissible once you are inside the ground.
• Drinking outside will not be possible for this game.
• Telford fans will use the Stan Robinson suite and the gates open at 1pm.
• Ranger’s fans will be using the Jon Downing suite as per usual.

We look forward to a great game and wish a warm welcome to you all.

As we move closer to the start of the season, we can announce the following update to the squad. Firstly, we can confirm the signings of Josh Williams, Michael Williams, and Joe Morley.

Josh is an attacking midfielder who has featured in all pre-season games predominantly as a left wing back. A local lad from Stone, Josh has been signed following his release from Crystal Palace. Following time at Morecambe and Newcastle Town, Josh was handed a deal at Crystal Palace in 2019 following a 6-week trial.

Michael Williams has re-signed for the club, having recently played at both Hednesford and Chasetown. He adds experience and versatility to the squad having played in central defence and right wing back in recent pre-season games. “Dubz” has recently spent time with us, as well as being a tough opponent, so will be known by many fans already.

At 16 years of age Joe Morley is an exciting prospect and has appeared in some pre-season games on the left-hand side. Joe has also signed for both the U18 & U21 development sides. He has trained throughout pre-season with the first team and will undoubtedly feature at some stage. We hope the addition of Joe will draw attention to our continuing efforts to bring a level of continuity to our squad progression from junior to senior level.

Sadly, we can announce that Josh Burns has been released to seek regular first team football and is expected to sign for Sheffield FC shortly. We would like to thank Josh for his time at the club and wish him well for the future.

As pre-season fixtures go, it was an entertaining affair with Rangers playing a good passing game with Alex-Ray Harvey and Mo Sebbeh-Njie particularly impressive in midfield. The opening exchanges were evenly fought with the most notable feature being the caution given to the Chorley midfielder Mike Calverley for two fouls in a matter of minutes.

The second, an attempted rugby tackle on Callum Coyle, presented Rangers with their first shot on goal but Sebbeh-Njie fired straight at Matt Urwin. Jamie Sleigh came close when Coyle’s corner appeared to catch him a little of guard and though the Rangers man looked set to finish off the rebound, Urwin got in first to punch clear.

Sleigh’s involvement came to an early finish when he limped out of the action midway through the half with Joe Cuff taking his place. Cuff was the key man in the build up to Rangers’ opener, six minutes before the break.

It started in the Stafford area with a crucial tackle from Cieron Keane to deny Elliot Newby. Cuff countered on the left and skipped past two Chorley defenders in the area only for Urwin to deny him. But, from Coyle’s corner, Tom Thorley’s near post header found its way past the Chorley keeper to give Rangers a deserved half time lead. Chorley made two changes at the start of the second half and enjoyed the better of the action, resulting in former Stafford loanee Calverly levelling the scores on 49 minutes.

Soon after, Sam Coulson was called upon to clear the lines after Arlen Birch had sent in a low cross-shot. Rangers settled back down and found Coyle a threat on the left although Urwin was largely untroubled. But the Magpies’ keeper was helpless ten minutes from time when Keane’s superb finish restored Rangers’ lead after an initial free kick had appeared to come to nothing.

Mitch Candlin should have added a third soon after, but he fired over after Urwin had saved well following a shot from the one triallist on show for the home side. At the other end, Newby missed the chance to earn the visitors a draw when he blazed over with Lewis King out of position.

Rangers: Lewis King, Mo Sebbeh-Njie, Cieron Keane, Alex-Ray Harvey, Dan Burns, Sam Coulson, Joe Kenton (Triallist 59m), Tom Thorley (Mitch Candlin 59m), Jamie Sleigh (Joe Cuff 22m), Callum Coyle, Josh Williams (Michael Williams 59m).

Chorley: Matt Urwin, Arlen Birch, Matty Taylor (Andy Halls 46), Harvey Smith, Scott Leather, (Lee Roberts 88), Lewis Baines, Ollie Shenton (Malakai 82), Michael Calveley (Joe Bowles 90), Ollie Putnam (Sean Miller 46), Elliot Newby, Lewis Reilly (Udoyen Akpan 75). Unused subs: Lewis Dutton, Niall Moran.

Att 272