Matlock Town v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers went out of the FA Trophy as fellow NPL side Matlock Town triumphed by virtue of the only goal of the game, scored early in the second half.

It was probably what the home side deserved as they created the better chances throughout the 90 minutes with Rangers not forcing Jim Pollard into a notable save.

In September, Matlock won the league encounter 3-1. This was a tighter affair although poor finishing from the home side kept the scores level at the interval.

Rangers were missing both Kaiman Anderson and Alex Kiwomya through injury. Their absence allowed Ntumba Massanka to make a return to the starting line up following a two match suspension and John Atherton a place on the bench after injury.

Massanka had Rangers’ best chance of the game when he was put clear a few minutes before the interval but his shot lacked power and conviction and bobbled wide.

Earlier, it had been Matlock who had done most of the pressing. John Johnston fired wide when well placed on the edge of the area.

Soon after, Cam Belford saved well from the troublesome Jordan Barnett while Ryan Qualter and Kallan Murphy both headed wide when well placed.

Besides Massanka’s miss, Rangers saw Matlock defender Jamie Sharman slice an attempted clearance over his own bar.

In a matter of seconds, Joe Kenton and Jaiden White both had shots blocked before Derek Ubah’s header also struck a home defender.

The only goal of he game came in the 48th minute. Bennett and Johnston linked on the left. Bennett’s centre eluded both Bartosz Cybulski and Murphy but Alex Byrne was there at the back post to score.

Ubah, cautioned in the first half, was replaced by Luis Morrison-Derbyshire following a final warning from referee George Eaton.

Jack Baxter fired over from 18 yards following a good ball from Alex-Ray Harvey while, at the opposite end, Belford was forced to claw away a high centre from Bennett.

Soon after, goalscorer Byrne was denied twice by blocks from Joe Dunne.

Stafford kept searching for an equaliser but found themselves up against a resilient Matlock defence.

Atherton added a touch of urgency after replacing Kenton and he was involved in Rangers last opportunity as he sent the ball into the danger area but neither Massanka nor Tonks was able to convert the chance.

Matlock: 1 Jim Pollard, 2 Jamie Sharden, 3 Jordan Bennett, 4 Mark Lees, 5 Ioan Evans, 6 Ryan Qualter, 7 John Johnston (14 Alex Wiles 90+2m), 8 Simon Njaria, 9 Bartosz Cybulski (15 Akeem Hinds 83m), 10 Kallan Murphy, 11 Alex Byrne (12 Kallum Mantack 88m). Unused Subs 16 Jerome Slew, 17 Bradley Abbott

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne (14 Joe Willis 88m), 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Derek Ubah (15 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire 56m), 7 Jaiden White, 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Ntumba Massanka, 10 Alex-Ray Harvey, 11 Joe Kenton (16 John Atherton 70m). Unused Subs 12 Darius Smith, 13 Jack Sandel

Cautions: Evans (Matlock), Stewart, Ubah (Rangers)

Referee: George Eaton

Att: 566

Report by Chris Elsley