Lancaster City v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers had to withstand a late onslaught from Lancaster City to record their first league win in six outings.

Injury hit Boro were only able to name four substitues with Ethan Stewart, John Atherton and Kaiman Anderson all reporting unfit.

Their problems looked to have worsened when dependable right back Andy Burns limped off with a calf injury after just 5 minutes but substitute Darius Smith proved a more than able replacement on his first real opportunity since joining the club seven weeks ago.

Apart from a 45 minute run out at Marske, Smith’s previous appearances had been limited to a handful of minutes but he took his chance to show his capabilities to manager Matt Hill.

On a greasy pitch, Rangers made the early running and saw home keeper Sam Waller turn a cross shot from Joe Dunne on to the post.

Lancaster’s main threat came via Sam Bailey. The full back took all the corners, throw ins and free kicks for his side along with sending in some dangerous crosses.

He picked out David Norris with one low centre but the Lancaster number 9 dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Lancaster captain Andy Teague came off second best in an aerial challenge with Ntumba Massanka and his afternoon ended midway through the half with a cut to the head.

Shortly before the half hour, Alex Kiwomya went on a great run, beating three or four defenders before being fouled by Jamie Mellen. The Lancaster man picked up a yellow card for his misdemeanour before Tom Tonks’ free kick was gathered first bounce by Waller.

But it was an error from Waller that allowed Kiwomya to give Rangers the lead on 29 minutes.

The Blues’ keeper came out of his area in an attempt to clear a long ball from Derek Ubah but the ball skidded through off the surface and bounced off his shins to Kiwomya who rolled the ball into the empty net.

Lancaster belied their position in the relegation zone and twice went close to an equaliser before half time when Norris’ glanced header went wide while the same player volleyed over from a corner.

The home side continued to press at the start of the second half but one attack almost saw Rangers doubling their lead.

Jaiden White launched a counter attack after a header from Norris had hit the post. He sent Kiwomya clear but the midfielder failed to add to his tally when he guided his shot wide of the far post.

White and Kiwomya were more successful when they linked again on 58 minutes. White’s presence allowed Kiwomya to break clear down the inside left channel. With just Waller to beat, he chose to pass to White who had continued his run and was able to drag the ball home.

Minutes later Massanka missed a chance to make it 3-0 as Waller went full stretch to his left to save.

At the opposite end, a supeb challenge from Ubah denied Dale Whitham while Smith headed off the line after Cam Belford had missed a cross from Bailey.

Whitham sliced another opportunity over but Rangers should have given themselves breathing space with another counter attack by White. He chose to chip Waller but his effort lacked quality and the Lancaster keeper was able to save comfortably.

The remaining 15 minutes were largely played in the Stafford half.

Alex-Ray Harvey, who had an excellent game for Rangers, took the full force of a shot from Norris while sub Dom Lawson headed against the post.

Kyle Brownhill headed into the side netting from Bailey’s cross then shot across the face of goal.

Brownhill was involved in the action that led to Lancaster reducing the arrears on 86 minutes with a knock down to Whitham who finished well.

The goal set up a nervous finish for Rangers but they survived as Gallagher-Allison headed wide with the best chance that fell to the home side.

Lancaster: 1 Sam Waller, 2 Sam Bailey, 3 Kyle Brownhill, 4 Pat Allington, 5 Andy Teague (16 Calen Gallagher-Allison 22m), 6 Jamie Mellen, 7 Christian Sloan, 8 Bradley Carroll (17 Dom Lawson 63m), 9 David Norris, 10 David Whitham, 11 Nic Evangelinos. Unused Subs 12 Henri Ogunby, 14 Ed Ikpakwu,15 Enock Likoy

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns (12 Darius Smith 6m), 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Derek Ubah, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya (14 Joe Kenton 59m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Ntumba Massanka, 10 Alex-Ray Harvey, 11 Jaiden White (15 Joe Willis 80m). Unused subs 13 Jack Sandel – only 4 subs named

Referee: Mathew McQuillan Cautions: Mellen (Lancaster), Tonks (Rangers)

Att : 336

Report by Chris Elsley