Bamber Bridge v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers’ recent unbeaten run came to an end with defeat at Bamber Bridge.

Rangers were the architects of their own downfall as they failed to press home their advantage after Luis Morrison-Derbyshire had levelled the scores early in the second half but they were not helped by an inconsistent performance from referee Jonathan Wyatt.

The game got off to a scrappy start with Bridge creating the first two chances but neither Rowan Roache nor Danny Forbes were able to take advantage.

Rangers were slow to get into the game and it was no surprise when Fin Sinclair-Smith gave the home side the lead on 9 minutes. The Bridge man received a lay off from Isaac Sinclair on the edge of the area and his deflected shot floated over Cam Belford into the net.

Rangers began to settle and came close with a Joe Kenton volley that Morrison-Derbyshire just failed to steer home.

Shortly after, Kaiman Anderson saw his header kept out by Felix Goddard as a great chance went begging.

At the opposite end Belford saved from Sinclair-Smith before referee Wyatt put himself in the spotlight by cautioning Tom Tonks for drying the ball on a towel as he prepared to take a throw in.

After the match, the official apologised to the Stafford management for his error but it was a decision that was to affect Rangers for the remainder of the afternoon and their problems increased when Joe Kenton pulled up with a hamstring injury shortly afterwards.

The home side continued to pose the greater threat as Finlay Cross-Adair hit the outside of the post from a tight angle while the same Bamber Bridge player was halted by James O’Neill as he advanced on goal.

The home defence looked vulnerable when put under pressure and Rangers finally took advantage on 49 minutes.

Jack Baxter’s deep corner was headed goalwards by O’Neill. Anderson’s presence was enough to force an error from Goddard and Morrison-Derbyshire snapped up the chance from close range.

The home side were rattled but Joe Willis missed a chance to put Rangers ahead following Anderson’s low centre. Somehow, Willis allowed Matthew Thomson to clear off the line.

But, Rangers failed to get their noses in front and allowed the home side back into it.

Sky Sinclair glanced his header wide and Isaac Sinclair shot across the face of the Stafford goal before Thomson fired over.

It was an error from O’Neill that gifted the home side the lead on 71 minutes. The central defender was caught out by Cross-Adair as he tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick.

The two players came together and although Cross-Adair got back to his feet and managed a shot on goal, referee Wyatt awarded a penalty.

Sinclair-Smith stepped up and gave Belford no chance.

Nathan Blissett replaced Baxter and had two chances to get Rangers back level. His first header lacked power and was easily cleared while his second went tamely wide when he should have hit the target.

In the final stages, Belford prevented a third goal when he kept out Cross-Adair after an error from Burns but the damage had already been done.

Bamber Bridge: 1 Felix Goddard, Matthew Thomson, 3 Aaron Skinner, 4 Luke Mariette, 5 Nathan Pond, 6 Sky Sinclair, 7 Rowan Roache (16 Connor Stanley 79m), 8 Danny Forbes (15 Paul Dawson 65m), 9 Finlay Cross-Adair, 10 Isaac Sinclair, 11 Fin Sinclair-Smith. Unused Subs 12 Chris Churchman, 14 Joe Robbins, 17 Donovan Lescott.

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Alex-Ray Harvey, 5 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 6 James O’Neill, 7 Joe Kenton (12 Tyreece Onyeka 37m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis, 11 Jack Baxter (15 Nathan Blissett 72m). Unused subs 14 Derek Ubah, 16 Ethan Morgan, 17 Callum Saunders

Referee: Jonathan Wyatt

Cautions: Goddard, Forbes, Cross-Adair (Bamber Bridge); Tonks, O’Neill (Rangers)

Att : 495

Report by Chris Elsley