Stafford Rangers 1 – 1 Grantham Town

Stafford Rangers 1 – 1 Grantham Town

Aug 22, 2018 | Match Report

Rangers got their first point on the board, under Manager Steve Burr, with a hard fought and improved performance after the opening day defeat at Workington. The opening stages were largely owned by Grantham as they imposed themselves more effectively. In the second minute, Whitehouse fumbled a cross under pressure but the visitors failed to capitalise, then on five minutes they won the first corner of the game and Batchelor rose to head towards goal but his effort was saved and Ward’s follow up was blocked for another corner.
Rangers then managed to force some pressure as a dangerous cross from Briscoe was cleared, before Abadki won the first corner for Boro. Luke Jones rose to head towards goal but Bailey-Jones was in line and it struck his team mate and bounced away. Boro then pushed forward and Louis Jones came through a crowd to punch clear, but the ball dropped to Sherratt and his effort was volleyed wide. This was all part of a decent spell of pressure for Boro as they stemmed that early flow of pressure from the visitors.
Another Grantham corner came and Penfold this time hit his own player on the six yard line and Boro cleared the danger. Rangers closed the half looking stronger as Bailey-Jones fired through a crowd and wide of the far post, before Abadaki went on another run and Briscoe fired his lay off high and wide.
The second half was a lively affair with both teams going for it. Abadki collected Rangers’ only booking with a late trip, just after half time. Grantham broke soon after this and Luto fired an effort over the bar, before Boro put together a great move switching play with pace as Bailey-Jones moved in and found Briscoe, whose shot was saved well by Jones. Abadaki was then replaced by Joe Cuff and this spiced up some of Rangers’ play as he got amongst things from the off. He attacked down the lift and a challenge brought Barrows Grantham’s first caution. After the free kick was cleared, Bailey-Jones attacked from the right and his shot was headed from under the bar by Barrows.
Cuff attacked from the left and his effort was blocked but appeals for a penalty were waved away by Mr Tallis. On sixty one minutes Rangers then took the lead as Coulson took a throw from the left and Briscoe let the ball run across the box before turning to find the corner of the net via the despairing dive of Jones. This lifted Rangers as they continued to press with no little confidence. As they pressed, Grantham struck five minutes later, as a long through ball was played down the right channel and Marshall just failed to get proper contact on his header and the ball ran kindly for Watters who ran on to apply a cool finish past the advancing Whitehouse.
Both sides then continued to press for openings, as Cuff forced another save from Jones and a further effort blocked. Grantham were not to settle for appoint as they also pushed forward and Watters again threatened on eighty none minutes but his effort rolled across goal and, thankfully for Rangers, past the far post.
Att 562
Workington Town 1 – 0 Stafford Rangers

Workington Town 1 – 0 Stafford Rangers

Aug 18, 2018 | Match Report

EVO-STIK LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 18 AUGUST 2018

The new era under the management of Steve Burr failed to get off to the perfect start as Rangers went down 1-0 at Workington.

It was a bad mistake from skipper Luke Jones that presented Workington with their goal just five minutes into the second half.
Otherwise, it was a fairly evenly fought contest although the home side may have just shaded it by virtue of creating the better chances as Adam Whitehouse had to make a couple of good saves to keep Rangers in touch.
Rangers kicked off, but with a strong wind in their backs, it was the Reds who were first to show when Jason Walker tried his luck from distance. Although Whitehouse got across to make save, he needed a second go before he was able to take control.
Immediately Rangers attacked the home goal with Ossie Abadaki and Lewis Banks combining on the right. The latter cut inside before sending a decent effort just over the cross bar.
The next minute brought another Workington attack as Sam Joel created a great chance for Conor Tinnion but he shot over.
The wind was making it difficult for Rangers to clear their lines. Workington won a series of corners and with the pressure still on Sam Smith hooked a half volley through to Whitehouse.
Banks had another effort for Rangers with a shot to the near post but it didn’t really trouble home keeper Aaran Taylor who held comfortably. That was about it for Rangers in the first half far as clear chances were concerned.
At the other end Jordan Holt went wide from around 30 yards and then was denied with – possibly by Banks – after Walker had done well and had looked set to score himself.
The half came to an end with a couple more opportunities for Workington. Tinnion tried his luck with a free kick from 35 yards that just went over the intersection of post and bar, although Whitehouse seemed to have it covered, then the Rangers’ keeper was called upon to keep out Sam Joel after the wide man had beaten the Rangers’ offside trap.
Rangers were first to show in the second half as Jones headed wide from Louis Briscoe’s left wing corner but only a couple of minutes later came the costly error from the captain as he failed to cut out a long ball from Gari Rowntree allowing Walker to race clear and he advanced to fire past the exposed Whitehouse.
For a time Workington were in control and threatened to add to their score. Tinnion’s header was saved by Whitehouse then Joel skewed a shot wide after he had forced his way into shooting range.
Joel threatened again only for Tom Marshall’s presence to ring an end to the danger. Rangers looked set to level the scores with 20 minutes remaining when Joe Cuff chased down a back pass from Sam Smith. Taylor won the race but the ball ballooned up and goalwards but Rowntree made an excellent headed clearance.
As Rangers pressed in the latter stages, Workington nearly took advantage of the gaps at the back and with the best chance Whitehouse saved from Brad Hubbold with his feet.
Workington: 1 Aaran Taylor, 2 Niall Cowperthwaite (12 Dan Wordsworth 90m), 3 Gari Rowntree, 4 Sam Smith, 5 Matty Douglas, 6 Jamie Mellon, 7 Sam Joel, 8 Brad Hubbard, 9 Jason Walker, 10 Jordan Holt (16 Sheldon Mossop 88m) , 11 Conor Tinnion. Unused Subs: 13 Lewis Casson (GK), 14 Lewis Tidy, 15 Jaic Miller.
Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Lewis banks, 3 Sam Coulson, 4 Luke Jones, 5 Jack Sherratt, 6 Tom Marshall, 7 Louis Briscoe (15 Josh Green 64m), 8 Tom Thorley, 9 Kyle Perry, 10 Osebi  Abadaki (16 Joe Cuff 70m), 11 Theo Bailey-Jones  (14 Alex Curtis 84m), Unused Subs 12 Jon Adams, 17 Billy Reeves.
Cautions: Rowntree, Douglas, Walker, Tinnion (Workington) Jones, Sherratt, Thorley (Rangers)
Referee: R Holmes
Att: 421
Stafford Rangers 1 – 1 Market Drayton

Stafford Rangers 1 – 1 Market Drayton

Aug 13, 2018 | Match Report

Rangers finished their scheduled pre-season programme with a tough work out at Market Drayton Town. It was clear to see that a hard and bobbly pitch would influence how Steve Burr would select his starting eleven and that proved to be correct, as the side included numerous players that had not had as much game time, plus some that had not yet secured deals.

It took some ten minutes for the sides to settle or come close and Josh Green delivered a free kick that went for Boro’s first corner. Drayton then had a decent spell, imposing themselves with a few chances. Firstly, Liam Bood fired over from 20 yards, before Arnold attacked down the left and Coney failed to make contact with a whipped in ball to the back post. A long ball over the top was then miss-controlled as another chance went begging before Myles Arnold curled a neat shot into the top corner past a diving Whitehouse.

Rangers hit back with new signing Joe Cuff supplying Josh Green with a fine pass, but Green’s effort was saved by Rawlins. Green then had another effort charged down. On the half hour, Billy Reeves was forced off with head injury and young Lucas Burnett entered the fray for Rangers. Rangers attacked again as Saunders got on the end of a good cross from the right, but his header was glances across goal. Just before half time Drayton nearly increased their lead as confusion took over in the Rangers back line and Knowles nipped in but his effort from a narrow angle was cleared off the line.

Rangers started the second half more brightly as Saunders had a shot saved and Burnett was there to follow up, but his effort was also saved by Rawlins. Malaki was then fouled, and Green stepped up with another free kick, but this was also saved. Bood then tried his luck for Drayton but Whitehouse got down to save his shot. Then came 7 subs in one go, as Steve Burr gave the rest of the squad a run, just before the hour. The teams then took some time to settle and game flowed back and for the without any real chances. Rangers grew stronger as they put some moves together and a lovely flowing move ended with Thorley getting to the bye line and Burnett applying a clinical finish from six yards.

In the final minute, Rangers almost snatched a win as Bailey-Jones fired just over. That result left Rangers with four wins, three loses and one draw from their Summer campaign that has shown signs of encouragement as Burr builds his new team and looks forward to a tough curtain raiser at Workington on Saturday.

Starting 11 –
Whitehouse, Coulson, Curtis, Douglas, Malaki, Reeves, Adams, Abadaki, Green, Saunders, Cuff.

KIDSGROVE V BORO

Jul 22, 2018 | Match Report

Match report

Rangers continued their pre-season build up with another win, but this was a tougher test than the previous two games.  Kidsgrove were, however, the first to threaten as they broke into the Rangers box and Williams was denied by Matt Yates, who was standing in for the injured Adam Whitehouse. Rangers started to assert themselves on the game and when Abadaki was brought down, some 25 yards out, Briscoe stepped up to curl a glorious free kick into the top corner and give the visitors the lead. \Moe pressure followed and the Rangers looked threatening before they won another free kick and Briscoe’s excellent back post delivery was met by Luke Jones, who planted a header across goal and into the far corner for a 2-0 lead, They continued to press but Kidsgrove looked dangerous on the break and Jordan Cole curled an effort wide on one of those breaks. Rangers were the stronger of the teams and threatened at regular intervals as notable, Abadaki was denied on another foray. Lingard and the early Kidsgrove sub’ both went close before Rangers grew stronger and finished the first half, stronger of the teams.
For the first time during pre season, Steve Burr continued into the second half with the same eleven that ended the first half. They started brightly and Briscoe fired a long range effort just over, before a combination ended in Bailey-Jones failing to get on the end of a great move as they continued to press. On 57 minutes Kidsgrove had another break and as they worked it down the left, it was cut back for the lively Lingard to apply a tidy finish and reduce the deficit. Boro were not to be outdone, so continued to thwart ‘Grove as well as look threatening as numerous changes were rung by Manager Burr. The side looked more youthful as the game wore on and  young Lucas Burnett looked a pain in the side of the hosts’ defence. After one chance had gone close, the youngster was fed the ball on the corner of the box and as he wriggled inside, fed a well taken shot into the far corner for his first senior goal. The pace of the young Boro outfit now caused a few problems as they sprang the offside trap a few times and ended the game, looking quite promising.
That was reflected in Manager Steve Burr’s post match thoughts as he declared – ” It was a very tough game, today, which I expected. Could have scored more goals in the second half but, all in all, a very good work out, I thought we stood up to the physical challenge very well. Delighted with how we passed the ball around on a dry surface, also. We now face Port Vale, at home, on Tuesday which will be another god test for our boys.”

Report by Alan Gee

Heath Hayes 0 – 7 Stafford Rangers

Jul 14, 2018 | Club News, Match Report

Saturday 14th July 2018
Attendance: 142
Rangers opened their pre season campaign with the short trip to Heath Hayes. The first 45 minutes saw new Manager Steve Burr assembling a mix of confirmed signings and trialists no less than six trialists coming into the starting eleven. Rangers were, as expected, the first to show, looking strong in midfield and the front two being just 16 and 17 years old, caused numerous problems with their pace and ability.

With lots of pressure the first serious effort just cleared the bar in the 10th minute, and more attacks followed. In the 30th minute a long ball was headed in an attempted clearance but gather and controlled by trialist(7) before he rolled it back and trialist(4) fired into the bottom corner to give Rangers a deserved lead. The pressure continued to be piled on with the hosts only occasionally breaking from their half to relieve the pressure, without seriously threatening Adam Whitehouse.

On 43 minutes another awkward ball into the box was headed up and as it dropped James Askey made no mistake, volleying in for 2-0 and a comfortable looking half time lead.

The second half brought numerous changes, with a more familiar line up, as more confirmed signings joined the fray, while a few familiar faces put in their own “trial” performances, having not yet been confirmed as signed. The hosts were now even more pressure and the width used really opened them up, repeatedly as the heat also took its toll.

On 48 minutes a corner was converted by Luke Jones to make it 3-0 as Rangers started as they left off. More pressure and on 60 minutes good work on the right and Abadaki pulled the ball back for Kyle Perry to fire into the corner for a 4-0 lead. Abadaki was then floored and he got up to make it 5-0 on 73 minutes. It was now a question of how many? Rangers continued to press and Abadaki was quick to react and fire into the roof of the net from 18 yards for his double.

The rout was completed on 90 minutes with Briscoe crossing for Jones to head his second and Rangers’ seventh.
To round things up Steve Burr said “I was delighted with the performance, particularly considering we started with a front two who were 16 & 17 years old! I was also pleased with how it came together, playing in such heat in our first game, and was pleasantly surprised with how the new lads have come in and played so well. We now take the next step up by going to Stafford Town on Tuesday where we will try and continue the good work.

Many Thanks to Heath Hayes for the hastily arranged fixture and thanks to all the fans who travelled to watch us.”

 

Lancaster City 1 – 1 Stafford Rangers

Mar 25, 2018 | Match Report

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Saturday 24 March 2018

A last minute penalty saw Rangers extend their unbeaten league run to six games in this mid table clash at Lancaster City.

The opening 45 mins was a poor affair with neither side able to muster up a shot on target, the best effort coming from Stafford on the stroke of half time when Messiah McDonald worked himself an opening but, with a tight angle, the ball was diverted away to Kieren Westwood who fired wide through a crowded area.

If anyone, Lancaster had just shaded the opening exchanges with Rangers looking stronger as the half progressed, but neither was able to produce enough quality to overcome their opposing defence.

One of the few talking points came when a quick throw put Connor Simpson in behind the defence but he was inexplicably flagged offside.
In contrast, the opening 10 minutes of the second half provided plenty of incident.

Lancaster came out sharper and Craig Carney forced Adam Whitehouse into his first save of the day, tipping over a rising shot. The Stafford keeper did even better from the resulting corner with an excellent save to deny Ricky Mercer.

Lancaster had issued the warning and delivered the message on 52 minutes when Carney fired home after a counter attack n the right through Sam Bailey, though Rangers could argue that the absence of Westwood, off the field following treatment, was a key factor.

Lancaster looked to press home their advantage with Josh Gregory and Charlie Bailey both going wide while Connor Simpson missed an open goal, though he would probably have been given offside. Rangers went close to an equaliser when Izak Reid volleyed over when at full stretch then Josh Craddock’s header bounced up against the bar from Jack Sherratt’s free kick.

Just as it looked as though it wasn’t going to be Rangers’ day, in the final minute, Simon Wills tripped Osebi Abadaki and Robert Thompson-Brown netted from the spot.

Lancaster: 1 Elliot Wynne, 2 Ben Hudson, 3 Paul Dugdale, 4 Simon Wills, 5 Glenn Steel, 6 Ricky Mercer, 7 Sam Bailey, 8 Josh Gregory (12 Billy Akrigg 69m), 9 Connor Simpson (15 Hannu Tam 90+1m), 10 Craig Carney, 11 Charlie Bailey (17 Ryan Winder 77m). Unused subs 14 Adam Anson, 16 Steve Williams

Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Sam Griffiths, 3 Kieren Westwood, 4 Kieran Morris, 5 Jordaan Brown, 6 Josh Craddock, 7 Levi Reid (16 Jack Sherratt 70m), 8 Massiah McDonald (15 Osebi Abadaki 58m), 9 Kyle Perry (14 Tyrell Waite 58m), 10 Robert Thompson-Brown, 11 Izak Reid. Unused subs 12 Dan Vann, 17 Ben Chilcott

Cautions: Gregory (Lancaster), Westwood, McDonald, Craddock (Rangers)

Referee: Chris Ellis

Att: 299

Report: Chris Elsley