Gainsborough Trinity v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought draw away to Gainsborough Trinity.

Matt Hill named an unchanged side for the third consecutive outing with the return of Chris Clements to the substitute’s bench the only change from Tuesday night’s trip to Atherton.

Rangers were slow out of the blocks and survived a scare when Luis Morrison failed to deal with a long ball from Hayden Cann. The error let in Clayton Donaldson but the former Crewe man could only find the side netting.

The visitors had a bigger let off after 11 minutes when Morrison was penalised after falling on to the ball. Fortunately, Andrew Wright’s spot kick wasn’t the best and Cameron Belford saved with his legs before Ethan Stewart cleared a follow up effort.

Gainsborough continued to ask the questions and Belford saved again, this time from Liam Waldock.

Rangers’ best chances came as a result of forced and unforced errors at the back but they were unable to trouble Matt Yates.

Towards the end of the half, Belford did well to tip a drive from Waldock while Tom Cursons headed over when well placed.

Rangers brought on Alex Kiwomya for the second half and he almost made his mark when he forced Yates to tip over after Rangers’ best play of the game.

Adam Livingstone hooked a shot straight at Yates before the first of three missed opportunities for Stewart – Yates tipping over following a Tom Tonks throw.

Gainsborough were restricted to a couple of half chances as Isaac Rice fired at Bdlford and Joe Dunne made a timely tackle to deny Curtis Durose a run on goal.

The last five minutes saw two more chances come and go for Stewart, Yates saving the first and Joe West doing just enough to divert the second on to the bar.

Gainsborough: 1 Matt Yates, 2 Ethan Bojang, Joe West, 4 Andrew Wright, 5 Hayden Cann, 6 Isaac Rice, 7 Jack Dyche (17 Neal Bishop 74m), 8 Curtis Durose, 9 Clayton Donaldson, 10 Liam Waldock (15 Masai Arbouin 46m), 11 Tom Cursons (12 Brad Grayson 58m). Unused Subs: 14 Darius Smith, 16 Mackenzie Warne

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andrew Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Joe Kenton (16 Alex Kiwomya 46m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson (12 Ntumba Massanka 76m), 10 Joe Wilis, 11 Adam Livingstone (17 Nathan Kaine 90m). Unused Subs 14 Chris Clements, 15 Jaiden White

Cautions: Burns (Rangers)

Referee: Michael Trevethan

Att 547

Report by Chris Elsley