Stafford Rangers — Atherton Collieries

REPORT

Once again soft goals were conceded but the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story as three Rangers players ended up in hospital.

After conceding 14 goals in their previous four league games, Rangers manager Neil Kitching promised changes and he was true to his word with no less than seven made to the starting XI.

Some were enforced with the likes of Jimmy O’Neill, John Atherton and Callum Wilson all injured. Goalkeeper Arron Davies also reported unfit in the morning while Joe Thomas was unwell although he was named as one of the five substitutes.

Heavy overnight rain left some muddy areas of the pitch and the referee insisted on one goal mouth being sanded before the game eventually kicked off some 10 minutes later than scheduled.

There were less than three minutes played when Dan Cockerline fell awkwardly and dislocated his troublesome left shoulder. Dylan Scott replaced him and was involved as Rangers created a good chance for Kaiman Anderson but, with the ball also going away from him, Anderson was unable to keep his shot on target.

Atherton took the lead on 16 minutes with their first meaningful attack. Che Ranger was dispossessed on the right. Colls moved the ball to the opposite side of the field and Rodney Ajayi’s one touch put Kielen Adams through to slot past Zach Noble.

The visitors then extended their lead on 36 minutes and the ease of how Javid Swaby-Nevin was able to get into the area annoyed Kitchen. The Atherton man found Harry Showman and he beat Noble at his near post from an acute angle.

Rangers needed a response and got it as the clock ticked into added time at the end of the first half. Rangers showed his attacking qualities with a run at the Colls defence. Ben O’Hanlon sent in a deep cross to the back post where Scott had the relatively simple task of heading in.

Whatever Kitching and his team may have said at half time was deemed almost worthless within a minute of the restart when Scott Wara collided with Noble as he shepherded the ball back to the Stafford keeper. After lengthy treatment, Noble went off with a suspected broken arm and collar bone while Wara was suffering from concussion. Both joined Cockerline in hospital for further treatment.

With no substitute goalkeeper, it was left to forward Anderson to take on the role.

A goal down, Rangers could not afford to simply protect the stand in keeper and James McQuilkin almost levelled with a low drive that struck the post.

But, Anderson was left exposed when Chinedu Uche won possession on the left and advanced to put in Showman to make it 3-1 on 57 minutes.

It probably should have been four when the ball fell to Remi Effunnuga but he was unable to get in a shot.

At the other end, Scott missed a chance to pull one back when Luke Lomax saved with his feet after an initial poor clearance from the Atherton keeper.

Anderson made a good save to turn away a well struck drive from Sam Sheridan before Jack Birch gave Rangers hope by reducing the arrears on 84 minutes following a ball over the top from Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi.

But, it was not to be and the visitors held out for the win.

The bad luck that dogged Rangers with three injuries can not be helped but the game was essentially lost, once again, by defensive errors that presented the opposition with three goals.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Zach Noble (15 Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi 51m), 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Mason Rees, 5 Scott Wara (17 Jadel Mushanhu 51m), 6 Jack Birch, 7 Che Ranger, 8 James McQuilkin, 9 Dan Cockerline (16 Dylan Scott 5m (12 Joe Thomas 89m)), 10 Kaiman Anderson, 11 Jack Sherratt (14 Ashley Fallon 60m).

Atherton Collieries: 1 Luke Lomax, 2 Ben Rydel (16 Tom Warren 58m), 3 Javid Swaby-Nevin, 4 Rodney Ajayi (15 Luke Nock 83m), 5 Alex Doyle, 6 Niall Battersby, 7 Harry Showman, 8 Remi Efunnuga, 9 Kielen Adams (12 Mark Isong 67m), 10 Joe Piggott (14 Sam Sheridan 67m), 11 Chinedu Uche (17 Sonny Reeves 83m).

Goals: Stafford: Scott 45+1, Birch 84m; Atherton Collieries: Adams 16m, Showman (2) 36m, 57m

Referee: Liam Corbett

Cautions: Burns 90+2m (Stafford)

Att: 429

Report by Chris Elsley