Radcliffe v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers’ manager Matt Hill got his tactics just right as his charges fought out a goal-less draw at high flying Radcliffe.

Just like Morpeth had done on their visit to Marston Road a week earlier, Rangers travelled with the intent of a point and the hope of stealing a winner.

While the first part of that plan was achieved without too much alarm, it took Rangers until the 90th minute to produce a shot on target.

But credit for that should go to the defence of the home side who kept Rangers at bay. The introduction of Nathan Blissett early in the second half gave Rangers a greater threat as Radcliffe pressed for the goal that would keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

The home side had the better of the early exchanges and saw Joe Piggott fire wide after Joe Dunne had blocked Jake Thompson’s initial shot.

Rangers’ best chance came on 18 minutes via Tom Tonks’ throw which was flicked on to Alex Kiwomya by Ethan Stewart but the Stafford number 7 headed wide when placed.

At the other end, Andy Burns made a desperate block to deny Jude Oyibo after the Radcliffe man had initially slipped as Piggott squared.

Oyibo was denied again a couple of minutes later as James O’Neill threw himself in the path of his shot then Piggott dragged his shot wide after turning past Stewart.

Joe Dunne blocked a couple of shots early in the second half before the combined efforts of Cam Belford and Tonks kept out Rick Smith and Matthew Grivosti respectively following Nicky Adams’ corner.

Blissett began to have a greater influence up front and created openings for both Anderson and Willis but the former failed to find a shot while Willis sent his drive rising over.

It was Willis who produced Stafford’s only shot on target but it was never going to beat Jack McIntyre in the home goal.

A stubborn Stafford defence continued to keep Radcliffe out but Radcliffe sub Mika Ndjoli almost snatched a late winner with a curler that went just wide of Belford’s right hand post.

It was an excellent point for Rangers who continue to edge closer to NPL safety.

A couple of sad incidents during the afternoon saw two objects being thrown from the crowd at Belford by juvenile Radcliffe fans. Fortunately both missed the Stafford keeper.

Radcliffe: 1 Jack McIntyre, 2 Jack Evans, 3 Connor O’Brien, 4 Luke Joyce, 5 Rick Smith, 6 Olly Thornley, 7 Matthew Grivosti, 8 Nicky Adams, 9 Joe Piggott (15 Ewan Binge 85m), 10 Jude Oyibo (12 Luca Navarro 67m), 11 Jake Thompson (16 Mika Ndjoli 77m). Unused Subs 14 George Mercer, 17 Michael Brewster

Stafford: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Alex-Ray Harvey, 5 EthanStewart, 6 James O’Neill, 7 Alex Kiwomya (12 Nathan Blissett 53m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis (14 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire 90+4m), 11 Jack Baxter (17 Ethan Morgan 78m). Unused Subs 15 Callum Saunders, 16 Derek Ubah

Referee: Francis Sibley

Cautions: Joyce (Radcliffe), Blissett (Rangers)

Att 752

Report by Chris Elsley