Runcorn Linnets v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time in three months with a hard fought win at Runcorn Linnets.

The game was Graham Deakin’s last as caretaker manager following the return of Neil Kitching and he couldn’t have signed off any better.

There was one change to the side with Ashley Fallon back in the starting XI in place of Scott Wara who was unavailable.

Play switched from end to end in a fast and furious start. Stafford’s Michael McGrath had a header cleared off the line following a James McQuilkin corner while Runcorn’s Naim Arsan hit the post before Andy Burns cleared the danger.

Bayleigh Passant kept out Callum King-Harmes then blocked a shot from Zidan Sutherland. McQuilkin could only put the rebound into the body of a Runcorn defender.

Chances kept coming at both ends with Runcorn possibly just shading it as the half drew on and it needed a Cam Belford save from Jaden Jones to keep the scores level.

Then, a minute into added time, Rangers struck. Runcorn defender Jack Grundy failed to cut out a through ball from Kaiman Anderson and Sutherland showed his striker’s instinct to fire past Passant and record the fouth goal of his loan spell.

Runcorn levelled in the 53rd minute. Doyle broke clear on the inside right and though Belford saved, the ball fell nicely to Luke Wall who fired into the roof of the net.

Rangers responded well to this set back. Anderson flashed a shot across goal, Sutherland went clear but couldn’t find a way past Passant while the Runcorn keeper kept out a low drive from King-Harmes.

Stafford kept pressing and saw Jimmy O’Neill’s throw hit the post via the head of Runcorn’s Callum Grogan.

The pressure eventually told and Rangers retook the lead on 73 minutes when Liam Brazier did well to get a cross in from the right and Anderson ended his goal drought with a back post header.

In the latter stages, Runcorn pushed players up in their search for an equaliser but found Belford in good form with saves from Leslie Adekoya and Ryan Brooke.

Runcorn threw everyone forward but, two minutes into added time, Rangers caught them cold. Brazier picked up possession on the half way line and advanced unopposed before cleverly clipping the ball over Passant to the delight of the travelling fans.

Runcorn Linnets: 1 Bayleigh Passant, 2 Peter Wylie, 3 Naim Arsan , 4 Jacques Welsh (14 Karl Clair 54m), 5 Callum Grogan, 6 Jack Grundy, 7 Jaden Jones (12 Lewis Nolan 76m), 8 Lewis Doyle (16 Adam Moseley 80m), 9 Dean Adekoya (15 Ryan Brooke 60m), 10 Luke Wall (17 Leslie Adekoya 54m), 11 Eden Gumbs.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Jack Burgess, 5 Michael McGrath, 6 James O’Neill, 7 Callum King-Harmes, 8 Ashley Fallon (12 Liam Brazier 68m), 9 Zidan Sutherland (17 Dan Cockerline 58m), 10 James McQuilkin, 11 Kaiman Anderson. Unused Subs 14 Max Barlow, 15 Joe Morley, 16 Jude Hill

Referee: Daniel Sims

Cautions: Wylie, L Adekoya (Runcorn), Fallon, King-Harmes, Cockerline (Stafford)

Attendance: 431

Report by Chris Elsley