Bootle v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Dale Belford’s time in charge of Stafford Rangers got off to the perfect start with a hard fought victory at Bootle.

It was a feisty affair that saw nine yellow cards and one red shown as referee Chris Porter struggled to keep control.

The red went to Stafford midfielder Dylan Barkers after 32 minutes – forcing a rear guard action for the remaining hour but it was a test that the new look defence passed with flying colours.

Belford brought in Michael McGrath and Scott Wara at the heart of the defence with Ashley Fallon another new face in the centre of midfield.

All three put in sterling performances alongside more familiar faces as Rangers produced a disciplined display to keep the home side out.

After a fairly even opening, the game sparked to life when Joe Morley put Rangers ahead on 13 minutes, finishing off at the back post after a low centre from Stanley Anaebonam.

Bootle almost levelled within a minute but Ben Hodkinson spurned a golden opportunity when he hit the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy.

Soon after, Amadou Doumbouya also hit the post, after skipping past Andy Burns, and Ben O’Hanlon’s intervention denied Hodkinson from the rebound.

The sending off of Barkers came after he accidentally caught Sean Smith in the head with a high boot – it was a challenge that the referee determined dangerous enough to warrant a dismissal.

But the home side struggled to take advantage of their extra man although they finished the half with a series of chances that went unconverted – the best falling to Andy Scarisbrick who shot tamely wide while Doumbouya fired over from a very tight angle.

Both sides made changes at half time. Anaebonam had a niggle and was replaced by Tyrone Cadeau while the experienced Sean Williams came on for the home side.

It was a brief and unhappy outing for Cadeau who made a number of errors and was replaced by Sean Lawton just after the hour mark.

Bootle were afforded plenty of possession with Williams at the centre of every attack and Hodkinson rifled one effort just wide from 20 yards while Cam Belford came out quickly to deny Lewis Riley when the Bootle front man, for once, got behind the Stafford back line.

Rangers played a solid defensive game with Dan Cockerline fighting a lone battle up front and it was the alertness of the tall strker that resulted in Rangers extending their lead on 77 minutes. Cockerline caught Jonny Spittle trying to shepherd the ball out for a throw in on the left, robbed him then cut in and unleashed a fierce drive into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Wara prevented Jordan Hodkin from reducing the deficit when he took the ball off the Bootle sub as he was about to shoot then Michael Burkey missed out twice as Bootle increased the pressure.

The home side finally got on the scoresheet when Hodkinson netted a penalty 7 minutes in to added time after McGrath was penalised for a foul on Spittle but Rangers held out for a moral boosting win.

Bootle: 1 Tony Thompson, 2 Jay Roberts, 3 Sean Smith (15 James Cooper 82m), 4 Tom Hannigan, 5 Jonny Spittle, 6 Sam Hughes (Michael Burkey 59m), 7 Amadou Doumbouya (17 Jordan Hodkin 68m), 8 Kieran Cartwright (12 Sean Williams 46m), 9 Lewis Riley, 10 Andy Scarisbrick, 11 Ben Hodkinson. Unused Subs 14 Anthony Miley

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Dylan Barkers, 5 Michael McGrath, 6 Scott Wara, 7 Joe Morley, 8 Ashley Fallon, 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 James McQuilkin, 11 Stanley Anaebonam (15 Tyrone Cadeau 46m (17 Sean Lawton 63m). Unused Subs 12 Aaron Opoku, 14 Luca Whitney, 16 Sean Cooke

Cautions: Smith, Spittle, Hughes, Riley, Scarisbrick (Bootle), C Belford, McGrath, Wara, Morley (Rangers)

Sent off: Barkers (Rangers)

Referee: Chris Porter

Attendance: 323