Liversedge v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

It was a topsy-turvy afternoon for Stafford Rangers who had to settle for a point at Liversedge.

Three times Rangers led and three times the home side levelled – the last of these coming from a penalty two minutes into added time.

To add to Rangers’ disappointment, talismanic midfielder Tom Tonks saw red after picking up two yellow cards.

It was a mixed afternoon for Tonks who had played a part in all three of the Stafford goals before his dismissal.

Manager Matt Hill made two changes to the side beaten at Bamber Bridge with Joe Kenton absent through injury and Jack Baxter dropping to the bench.

There was a first league start for Nathan Blissett and he rewarded Hill with two goals. Callum Saunders was also on the scores sheet after he made a return to the starting XI.

Liversedge had the better of the opening exchanges before Rangers settled with Blissett winning plenty of ball in attack.

But the first chance of the game fell to the home side with Jack Carr forcing Cam Belford into a smart right handed save.

Jimmy O’Neill was unable to keep his header on target following a left wing corner from Tonks but Blissett made no mistake with his when he steered home via the post following Tonks’ free kick on 22 minutes.

Liversedge almost levelled within two minutes. A corner on the Sedge right created problems in the area. Penalty appeals went unanswered as Ben Atkinson went to ground before Josh Barrett fired wide.

With his back to goal, Carr flicked Nathan Cartman’s corner wide then a clash between Cartman and Stafford keeper Belford saw both players booked.

It looked as though Stafford had done enough to go in at the break with their lead intact, but a couple of minutes into stoppage time, Tonks tripped Carr on the edge of the area and Nick Walker fired the free kick beyond the reach of Belford.

Rangers restored their lead a minute into the second half as Tonks delivered a cross to the back post and Saunders headed back across goal and inside the far post.

Once again Sedge hit back. A needless free kick conceded on the right was sent in by Walker. Atkinson’s presence was enough to distract Belford and the ball went in at the far post to level the scores level on 50 minutes.

Rangers were back in front on 58 minutes. Tonks launched a long throw from the right and Blissett was again on hand to head past Patrick Boyes.

Saunders should have extended the lead when he was presented with a free header but he failed to hit the target when he should have done better.

Substitute Baxter also went close when he hit the side netting.

The afternoon turned sour for Tonks when he caught a Liversedge defender with 10 minutes remaining. Already cautioned following the foul that led to Sedge’s first goal, the Stafford man was dismissed after referee Stave Lawson also deemed his latest challenge worthy of a yellow.

The home side sensed the opportunity to salvage a point and their chance came two minutes into added time after Alex Kiwomya tripped Atkinson and the home number 10 stepped up to fire in the penalty.

Liversedge: 1 Patrick Boyes, 2 Jack Carr, 3 Casey Stewart (17 Robert Guilfoyle 68m), 4 Jack Stockdill, 5 Daniel Ellis, 6 Josh Barrett, 7 George Proctor (Michael Stone 77m), 8 Connor Smythe, 9 Nathan Cartman (12 Joe Walton 64m), 10 Ben Atkinson, 11 Nicholas Walker. Unused Subs 14 Jack Hardacre, 16 Kevy Tarangadzo

* On the declared team sheet, Liversedge listed Kurt Harris at 6. He was replaced by Barrett before kick off without informing the referee.

Stafford: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Alex-Ray Harvey, 5 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 6 James O’Neill, 7 Kaiman Anderson, 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Nathan Blissett, 10 Joe Willis (15 Jack Baxter 65m), 11 Callum Saunders (17 Alex Kiwomya 82m). Unused Subs 12 Tyreece Onyeka, 14 Derek Ubah,16 Ethan Morgan

Referee: Steven Lawson

Cautions: Stockdall, Cartman (Liversedge) Belford (Rangers)

Sent off: Tonks ( Rangers-2 cautions)

Att 456

Report by Chris Elsley