Chasetown FC — Stafford Rangers

REPORT

The Bank Holiday derby at local rivals Chasetown was hardly a thriller but it had tension – particularly as Rangers could not afford to lose with fellow strugglers taking the lead at Darlaston shortly before half time.

Graham Deakin made just one change to the side that defeated Wythenshawe as Ash Fallon replaced Joe Thompson.

Rangers played a patient game, happy to let Chasetown have the ball but quick to squeeze them when the home side threatened.

The first chance of the afternoon came when Andy Burns’ header fell to Joey Butlin who had dropped back in anticipation. Butlin’s shot was high and wide.

At the other end, a strong challenge from Fallon created a chance for Dan Cockerline but his shot bobbled wide.

Adisa Osayande gets to the ball ahead of Chasetown’s Nathan Cameron

Scott Moloney saved a rebound from Tom Thorley and another from Jack Langston with ease, before a good strike from Langston flew just over the Stafford bar and a looping header from Luke Yates landed on the roof of the Stafford net.

Shortly before the break, Matt Hearsey switched to the right and created himself an opening but his shot lacked the penetrative power to trouble Curtis Pond.

Hearsey latches on to the loose ball as Rangers push forward

Half Time: Chasetown 0 Stafford Rangers 0

Fallon made a vital intervention shortly after the restart when he raced back to prevent Kevin Spinelli from getting in a shot after a neat approach down the Chasetown left.

A minute later, Fallon had a chance to open the scoring but made poor contact and Pond saved.

Moloney tipped over a looping header from Butlin and, from the resulting corner, Kieron Dawes saw his floated centre drift a few inches wide.

Chasetown’s best chance of the game fell to stalwart Langston just before the hour mark. The midfielder had time to bring the ball down but Moloney pulled off an excellent save to keep his goal intact.

Half chances came and went at both ends with Chasetown’s Todd Ferrier having the best effort in the 90 minutes of normal time with a hooked volley wide while Butlin should have done better when he sent his free kick high over the bar.

For Rangers, Birch, a half time replacement for Cockerline, had a great opportunity to snatch a stoppage time winner after an exchange with Devarn Green but it was a tame shot that Pond saved.

Kaiman Anderson challenges for the bal

A game in which neither side did enough to win. The point could still prove vital for Rangers as they face a tough end of season programme. With three to play, they are two points from safety but do have the advantage of a better goal difference than Sporting Khalsa.

Full Time: Chasetown 0 Stafford Rangers 0

Chasetown: 1 Curtis Pond, 2 Kieron Dawes (12 Oli Hayward 68m), 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Mitch Clarke, 5 Nathan Cameron, 6 Sam Wilding (16 Rafferty Winnall 75m), 7 Tom Thorley, 8 Jack Langston (15 Todd Ferrier 75m), 9 Joey Butlin, 10 Kevin Spinelli (18 Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton 60m), 11 Luke Yates. Unused Sub: 14 Nat Kelly

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon , 4 Ashley Fallon, 5 Adisa Osayande, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 Regan Riley (17 Devarn Green 59m), 8 Marsel Tola (19 Joe Thompson 73m), 9 James O’Neill, 10 Dan Cockerline (14 Jack Birch 46m), 11 Matthew Hearsey (12 Kaiman Anderson 66m). Unused Sub: 16 Ben Woods

Referee: Jack Shepherd

Cautions: Skeen-Hamilton 90+6m (Chasetown); Fallon 84m, Burns 90+6m (Stafford)

Att: 981

Report by Chris Elsley

Interview: Graham Deakin