Marske United v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

The sending off of Luis Morrison-Derbyshire just before half time was the main talking point as Stafford Rangers were beaten at Marske United.

The dismissal of the central defender came after an off the ball incident that few, including the match referee, saw.

Graeme Hopper’s attention was attracted by his assistant following the incident just in front of the home dug out and, after a brief consultation, he pulled out the red card.

The game was evenly balanced at the time with Connor Simpson cancelling out Kaiman Anderson’s opener just before the half hour.

The home side had made the early running and Cam Belford was forced into an early save to keep out a Jason Kennedy header.

Shortly after, Simpson dragged his shot across goal and wide of the far post.

Rangers created their first opening from Tom Tonks’ throw. Andy Burns clipped the ball in but Anderson sent his shot wide while Tonks had a free kick deflected through to home keeper Ryan Catterick.

After a uneventful period, littered with minor fouls, Rangers took the lead on 29 minutes.

A long ball from Jack Baxter sent Anderson clear down the inside left channel. He kept his head to beat Catterick from a tight angle.

Tonks had half a chance to add to the score but couldn’t get any power on his header while Marske’s Adam Wheatley was cautioned for denying Anderson another run on goal.

The home side drew level on 38 minutes when Simpson slid in to convert a low centre from Theo Hudson. Rangers were left to rue a missed opportunity to clear the danger.

Then came the sending off for Morrison-Derbyshire which changed the balance of the game.

With the loss of the defender, midfielder Joe Willis was sacrificed to allow Darius Smith to take his place in the back four.

Marske looked to make the numerical advantage count immediately at the start of the second half.

Joe Dunne had to stretch out a foot to deny Rob Guilfoyle while Andy Burns made an important tackle to prevent Hudson getting a look in.

It was against the run of play that Rangers restored their lead on 62 minutes.

Tonks launched one of his trademark long throws from the right.

The ball was cleared to the edge of the area where Alex Kiwomya struck a first time effort into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted just five minutes. Marske levelled again when Glen Butterworth played a ball over the top for Connor Smith to cross in and Simpson used his height to its full advantage to head past Belford.

Stafford were pushed deeper into defence and Belford clawed away another dangerous cross from Smith.

It was from the resulting corner that Marske got their winner, 11 minutes from time.

Hudson’s deep corner picked out Butterworth who headed back to Wheatley who slammed the ball home from close range.

From then on, Marske were in full control and Rangers barely had a look in.

Just one chance came their way- in added time – when Jaiden White headed down for Anderson but the Rangers’ forward sliced the chance over.

Marske: 1 Ryan Catterick, 2 Connor Smith, 3 Joey Hope (15 Curtis Round 70m), 4 Glenn Butterworth, 5 Jason Kennedy, 6 Adam Wheatley, 7 Josh MacDonald, 8 Adam Gell, 9 Rob Guilfoyle (12 Adam Boyes 70m), 10 Connor Simpson, 11 Theo Hudson. Unused Subs 14 Alex Storey, 16 Jack Williams, 17 Dale Hopson

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya (14 Jaiden White 81m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis (15 Darius Smith 45+3m), 11 Joe Kenton (12 Nathan Caine 77m). Unused Sub 13 Tyrell Belford- only four subs named

Referee: Graeme Hopper

Cautions: Wheatley, Guilfoyle (Marske), Baxter (Rangers)

Sent off: Morrison-Derbyshire (Rangers)

Att: 521

Report by Chris Elsley