South Shields v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers were beaten by title favourites South Shields but it was a much more disciplined display from Matt Hill’s side after a poor showing against Stalybridge the previous week.

Rangers recalled Ethan Stewart and Andy Burns to the defence with Derek Ubah and Darius Smith dropping to the bench. With Kaiman Anderson still injured and Ntumba Massanka unable to play against his parent club, Ethan Morgan was the sole striker available.

The Port Vale loanee worked hard to keep the Shields back line busy but his missed chance just before half time proved costly.

Morgan latched onto a poor back pass from Martin Smith but couldn’t find a way past Myles Boney.

Had he scored, Rangers would have taken the lead into the break and forced South Shields’ hand in the second half. Instead the home side continued to be play a patient role and eventually they found a way through.

The opening goal came on 62 minutes, ironically after Rangers had been enjoying their best spell of the game.

A few minutes earlier, another chance had come and gone for Rangers as Luis Morrison-Derbyshire saw his close range header turned over by Boney.

Jack Baxter committed himself to disposses Smith following a pass from Robert Briggs. Unfortunately for the Stafford midfielder, he lost out, giving Smith time on the ball.

The Shields man didn’t need a second invitation and beat Cam Belford with a 25 yarder which dipped late over the Stafford keeper.

Substitute Darius Osei wrapped up the points for Shields when he fired in his side’s second with 10 minutes remaining.

The first half had seen a tactical game of football chess as Rangers kept their shape, inviting the home side to take the risks.

More than 15 minutes had passed on the clock before Shields got in a shot – Dylan Mottley-Henry firing over from 20 yards out.

Rangers’ first opportunity to threaten the South Shields goal came after half an hour but Joe Dunne skied his shot from Baxter’s free kick.

Then came the moment when Morgan was gifted his chance but Boney ensured the side’s would go in on level terms.

Rangers opened the second half in a positive manner and saw a glanced header from Morrison-Derbyshire go wide.

Boney saved well when a second opportunity fell to the central defender.

It was the wake up call the home side needed. Within a minute, Dylan Mottley-Henry had forced a good save from Belford and Tom Broadbent headed over.

Five minutes later, Smith struck with the opener for Shields.

Broadbent twice went close to adding to the score firstly with a shot over then he saw a header turned over by Belford.

Shields’ sub Osei had given his side more strength to its attack and he got his reward when he hammered home the second after Morrison-Derbyshire had blocked his first effort.

South Shields: 1 Myles Boney, 2 Jordan Hunter, 3 Blair Adams, 4 Gary Liddle, 5 Tom Broadbent, 6 Martin Smith (16 Callum Ross 90+1m), 7 Mackenzie Heaney, 8 Robert Briggs, 9 Dylan Mottley-Henry (15 Joao Gomes 84m), 10 Michael Woods (18 Darius Osei 57m), 11 Lewis Alessandra. Unused Subs 12 Dillon Morse, 14 Josh Doherty

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter (14 Joe Willis 74m), 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya (17 John Atherton 84m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Ethan Morgan (15 Jaiden White 78m), 10 Alex-Ray Harvey, 11 Joe Kenton. Unused subs 12 Derek Ubah, 16 Darius Smith

Referee: Steve Lawson

Cautions: Smith, Heaney, Alessandra (South Shields) Burns (Rangers)

Att : 1,900

Report by Chris Elsley