Congleton Town — Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Manager Graham Deakin apologised to fans after the game for his side’s performance after they failed to record a single shot on target during the afternoon.

Once the home side had taken the lead just after the hour, there was only going to be one winner and the margin would have been greater were it not for the performance of Stafford keeper Scott Moloney.

Congleton made their intentions clear from kick off and Danny Needham was just off target with an early effort for the home side while Cole Ojungu sent a shot straight at Moloney.

Stafford debutant Regan Riley fired high over following a good lay off from Jack Birch before a shot from Matt Hearsey also cleared the bar.

Regan Riley (right) made his debut for the Boro

Adisa Osayande made a couple of important blocks at the back to keep Rangers level and the half came to a close with Congleton on top as Moloney saved from Needham and Ojungu sent his half volley over but it was a poor 45 minutes from two sides at the wrong end of the table.

Half Time: Congleton Town 0 Stafford Rangers 0

Hopes that Rangers would pose a greater threat with the wind in their backs didn’t materialise although Riley headed over with the first chance of the second half.

At the other end, Darren Chadwick also headed over but the home side made the breakthrough on 63 minutes when Matt Liptrott centred from the right. Chances to clear the lines were missed in a penalty area scramble before the ball fell to Max McCarthy who snapped up his chance.

Moloney held a deflected shot from Kieran Knapper soon after and the Stafford keeper denied the same player with another good save before McCarthy put the loose ball over when it looked easier to score.

Congleton continued to press and won a penalty on 81 minutes when Andy Burns tripped McCarthy but Moloney dived to his right to keep out Peter Williams’ spot kick.

Scott Moloney saves the penalty from Congleton’s Peter Williams

But Congleton wrapped the game up on 88 minutes when Ojungu scored his side’s second after Osayande had blocked McCarthy’s centre.

McCarthy’s afternoon ended on a bad note when he picked up a needless second yellow card but there was no danger of the 10 men letting their lead slip.

Rangers will need to perform much much better in their remaining five games if they are to avoid the drop.

Full Time: Congleton Town 2 Stafford Rangers 0

Congleton Town: 1 Dave Parton, 2 Matt Liptrott, 3 Matty Lay, 4 Peter Williams, 5 Jack Bates, 6 Darren Chadwick, 7 Kieran Knapper, 8 Cole Ojungu, 9 Max McCarthy, 10 Tom Hampton (14 Matthew Gillam 69m), 11 Danny Needham. Unused Subs 12 George Sankey, 15 Shaun Brisley, 16 Ebou Badjie, 17 Remi Raymond

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben Woods, 4 Joe Thompson (15 Marsel Tola 80m), 5 Adisa Osayande, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 Dylan Scott, 8 Regan Riley (12 Dan Cockerline 61m), 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Jack Birch, 11 Matthew Hearsey. Unused Subs 14 Luke Edwards, 16 Ben O’Hanlon, 17 Jack Sherratt

Referee: Joseph Morrell

Cautions: Riley 24m (Stafford)

Sent Off: McCarthy 2 x cautions 50m & 90+2m (Congleton)

Goals:
Congleton: McCarthy 63, Ojungu 88

Att: 834

Report by Chris Elsley

Interview: Graham Deakin