Mossley AFC v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers picked up a useful point on the road with a goal-less draw at Mossley, a result that extends the unbeaten run to four games.

Neil Kitching went with an unchanged starting XI following Tuesday’s win over Stalybridge.

The first half was keenly contested but chances were few. The best that did come fell to the home side but Stafford keeper Arron Davies made a couple of important saves. The one time he was beaten, the ball came back off the post.

Rangers were more creative after the break with Mossley keeper Fin Madigan forced into action to keep his side on level terms.

The game was a little over 5 minutes old when Davies denied Obua Mugalula with his feet.

Rangers then created a number of half chances but lacked the killer touch. Joe Thomas had a shot blocked, Callum King-Harmes put his shot over and a glance from John Atherton went just wide of the far post.

Callum Stringer put a shot at Davies before the Stafford keeper got his fingers to a good strike from Isaac Graham.

From the corner, Graham’s header struck teammate Stringer and went wide.

As the half drew to a close, Rio Alston had time and space in the area but struck the post with his shot.

Jack Birch signalled a more positive approach in the second half with a well struck drive that was pushed away by Madigan. Atherton and Birch both had shots blocked soon.

Kaiman Anderson looked to have put Rangers ahead on the hour when his deflected shot looped towards goal but the combined effort of Madigan and Gee Baltazar managed to keep the ball out with King-Harmes ready to pounce.

As the game approached the final 10 minutes, Madigan kept out a well struck volley from Scott Wara and Matt Kardacz cleared the danger.

Mossley showed some urgency in the final exchanges with sub Harvey Rowe providing the main threat but the Stafford goal remained intact to take a deserved share of the spoils.

Mossley: 1 Fin Madigan, 2 Gee Baltazar, 3 Charlie Wheeler (14 Harvey Rowe 67m), 4 Sean Kgwakgwa, 5 Mark Lees, 6 Matt Kardacz, 7 Rio Alston (12 Jack Marrow 72m), 8 Isaac Graham, 9 Reece Webb-Foster, 10 Callum Stringer (16 Oumar Camara 82m), 11 Obua Mugalula. Unused Subs 15 Gidy Varela, 17 Charlie Bingley

Stafford Rangers: 1 Arron Davies, 2 Callum Wilson, 3 Andy Burns, 4 Ashley Fallon, 5 Scott Wara, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Callum King-Harmes, 8 Jack Birch, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Thomas (15 Logan Cousins 68m), 11 John Atherton (12 Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi 77m). Unused Subs 13 Zac Noble, 14 Tomasi Wara, 16 James McQuilkin

Goals: None

Referee: Christopher Porter

Cautions: Lees, Narrow (Mossley), Adu-Gyamfi (Stafford)

Att: 502

Report by Chris Elsley