Morpeth Town v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers’ miserable season came to a fitting conclusion as they were thumped 6-0 at Morpeth Town.

With relegation from the NPL Premier Division already confirmed, manager Dave Cooke took the opportunity to give youngsters Henry Brereton and Fletcher Rushbury their first start at this level with Ethan Stewart missing from the starting line up for the first time. Joe Willis, however, did achieve the feat of being an ever present for all 40 league games played.

What was always going to be a tough afternoon became tougher when Morpeth took the lead in the 5th minute. George Burroughs went on a run from the heart of the Stafford defence but lost possession near the half way line. A quick ball from Dan Barlow put Jack Foalle away and he put the ball into the danger area where Sam Hodgson converted from close range.

Rangers more or less matched their hosts in the opening half hour but they didn’t take the chances that came their way, a factor that has been evident throughout the season.

Rangers have ended the season with just 36 goals to their name – 8 fewer than the next lowest. Sometimes it has been poor finishing, sometimes by good defending from the opposition. It was the latter that prevented Jimmy O’Neill from levelling the scores on 12 minutes when his header was blocked on the line by Dan Barlow. The ensuing scramble was unproductive with O’Neill eventually putting the ball out for a goal kick.

At the other end, Nic Bollado struck a shot low to the left of Cam Belford while Foalle sent an ambitious effort high over the bar, but, when Stafford lost possession on the right, Vinnie Steels was quick to send Bollado away. His cross was met on the volley by Foalle to give Morpeth a 2-0 lead after 26 minutes.

Only an excellent block by Burroughs prevented Bollardo from adding a third before the Morpeth no 11 was denied by a block from Burns.

Stafford were still very much in the contest but Kaiman Anderson stabbed the ball over having held off the challenge of the Morpeth central defence pairing. A minute later, it was all over. Ryan Wombwell sent Hodgson away and he cleverly chipped the exposed Belford to make it 3-0 in the 38th minute.

Cooke made two changes at half time with Stewart and Lewis Porter on for Rushbury and Brereton but it was the home side who continued to dictate affairs. Rangers struggled to get a touch as Morpeth passed the ball around, waiting for their moment.

That moment came in the 56th minute as Bollado easily stepped inside O’Neill and squared for Hodgson to complete his hat trick.

Anderson and Porter were showing the foundations of a partnership with the former going close on a couple of occasions. Jack Stafford and Joe Willis also tried their luck but, in truth, the home goal was never under serious threat.

Jack Sandel replaced Belford in the Stafford goal for the final 20 minutes. He survived a well struck drive from Foalle that was inches over the bar but could do little to keep Fenton John from making it 5-0 in the 89th minute. Matt Griggs played the ball through and John showed a great first touch before flicking the ball over the young Stafford keeper.

It was John who finished the season off in style for Morpeth when he rifled in Morpeth’s sixth with the last kick of the game.

With manager Dave Cooke set to continue in his role, Stafford Rangers will now spend the summer preparing for life at Step 4 for the first time in 8 seasons.

Morpeth Town: 1 Dan Lowton, 2 Josh Robson, 3 Vinnie Steels, 4 Will Dowling, 5 Josh King, 6 Ryan Wombwell (14 Matt Boyd 62m), 7 Jack Foalie, 8 Daniel Barlow (15 Matt Griggs 62m), 9 Sam Hodgson (16 Oscar Baston 77m), 10 Fenton John, 11 Nic Bollado. Unused Subs 12 Ryan Donaldson, 17 Sam Davison

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford (13 Jack Sandel 70m), 2 Andy Burns, 3 Jack Stafford, Isaac Lee, 5 James O’Neill, 6 George Burroughs, 7 Henry Brereton (12 Ethan Stewart 46m), 8 Owen German, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis, 11 Fletcher Rushbury (14 Lewis Porter 46m). Unused Subs: 15 Connor Heath, 16 Sean CookeReferee: Steve Swan

Cautions: King (Morpeth)

Att: 514

Report by Chris Elsley