Mossley AFC v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

After back to back home defeats in the past week, Stafford Rangers’ boss Dave Cooke was pleased to stop the rot as his side picked up a satisfying point from a goal-less draw at Mossley.

Despite signing central defender Narel Phillips on Thursday, Rangers once again went in to the game with a makeshift defence after Phillips’ agent declared him unavailable. AJ Leitch-Smith also dropped out from the subs bench after picking up an injury in the pre-match warm up. Coming in to the side for his first start in six was Joe Morley.

The home side made the better start with Reece Webb-Foster forcing a save from Cam Belford in the second minute after Kacper Mialkowski had got the better of Sean Lawton.

Mossley went close again with a counter attack that saw Obua Mugalula’s shot deflect off Ben O’Hanlon. Belford was beaten but Morley came across to clear off the line.

An error from Dylan Barkers saw Alfie Belcher put Mason Fawns in but Belford forced him wide and, after some desperate defending, Rangers managed to clear their lines.

The defence was re-shuffled with Lawton moving in to the middle and O’Hanlon to right back while Morley found himself a resident at left back. The change worked as Rangers cancelled out the Mossley approach play with Morley particularly impressive.

Eventually, Stafford started to find a little more space in the final third. Dan Cockerline headed wide and nearly forced his was through again a couple of minutes later.

Mossley still looked the most likely to score and both Belcher and Webb-Foster shot wide.

Stafford’s best chance of the half fell to Joe Mwasile on the stroke of half time when he was inches away from converting Jacob Edwards’ cross.

The second half was a more even contest although it was Mossley who had the first shot as Aderemi Efunnuga’s effort thumped into Tyrone Cadeau.

The Stafford player then resumed his more familiar role in attack but sent his drive just over the bar.

The game saver, as far as Stafford were concerned, came on 55 minutes as Belford kept out Mugalula then reacted quickly to superbly deny Webb-Forster from the follow up when the Mossley man looked certain to score.

Belford saved again – this time more comfortably – to keep out Mugalula who, soon after, ended a great run into the area with a shot which flew just over.

At the other end, Cockerline had a couple of efforts which went unconverted, as did Morley.

Both sides pressed in the final stages. Fawns skied a great chance over the Stafford bar after good work from Jack Marrow while Mugalula also went over with a dipping shot struck with the outside of his right boot.

In between, Mossley keeper Finley Madigan tipped Sean Cooke’s free kick over while Luke Barlow nearly headed into his own net.

Mossley may have just shaded it over the 90 minutes, Stafford were more than worthy of sharing the points.

Mossley: 1 Finley Madigan, 2 Jack Marrow, 3 Kacper Mialkowski (16 Eric Yahaya 67m), 4 Mateusz Kardacz, 5 Mark Lees, 6 Luke Barlow, 7 Alfie Belcher, 8 Aderemi Efunnuga, 9 Reece Webb-Foster, 10 Mason Fawns, 11 Obua Mugalula. Unused Subs 12 Michael Brewester, 14 Adam Sherratt, 15 Gedeao Ferreira Dos Reis Verela, 17 Loui Williams

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Sean Lawton, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Dylan Barkers, 5 Andy Burns, 6 Joe Robbins, 7 Jacob Edwards, 8 Tyrone Cadeau (14 Sean Cooke 69m), 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Joe Mwasile (16 Diego McGann 86m), 11 Joe Morley. Unused Subs 12 Stanley Anaebonam, 13 Jack Sandel, 17 Theo Knight

Cautions: Marrow, Lees, Yahaya (Mossley) O’Hanlon, Cadeau (Stafford)

Referee: Abdul Hakimy

Attendance: 378

Report by Chris Elsley