Stafford Rangers — Mossley AFC

REPORT

With Ben O’Hanlon facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following the injury he picked up at Runcorn, Graham Deakin brought in Luke Edwards on a work experience loan from Shrewsbury Town to fill the left back position.

Another absentee with injury was Derby County loanee Marsel Tola. In his place came Dylan Scott for just his third start in the NPL.

One other change in the XI at kick off saw James McQuilkin replace John Atherton.

Rangers started brightly winning a corner inside 30 seconds but their plans were soon disrupted when Harry Flowers was forced out of the action after picking up an injury in the 4th minute.

Despite this, Rangers just about edged the first half although their inability to test visiting keeper Finley Madigan remained a concern.

A shot on the turn from Flowers’ replacement – Jimmy O’Neill – was only just off target before Matt Hearsey was only a couple of inches away from connecting with an angled centre from Callum Wilson.

Pressure from Hearsey and Kaiman Anderson forced an error from Jack Marrow but the danger was averted by Jack Grundy while Anderson put another shot wide from the edge of the D.

A flick header from Wilson and a shot across the face of goal from Anderson maintained the Stafford threat but nothing was finding the target. When a

Jack Birch volley looked more promising, it struck the unwitting Harry Barbour-Olufowobi.

Although Stafford had created the better of the chances of the first half, Mossley had the final opportunity as Scott Moloney was forced to turn over a well struck drive from Reece Webb-Foster.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 0 Mossley 0

A minute into the second half, Rio Alston struck a free kick that deflected wide off the Stafford defensive wall. It was from the subsequent corner that the visitors struck.

Moloney didn’t deal with Alson’s delivery, Callum Stringer returned the ball to the danger area where Barbour-Olufowobi was free to head home.

Once ahead, Mossley never looked in too much danger and could have extended their lead soon after when Webb-Foster got on the end of a long ball from Callum Jones but Edwards was on hand to clear the lob.

Rangers lacked ideas to break down a well organised Mossley defence although pressure from Anderson late on did force an error from Sean Kgwakgwa but John Atherton’s heavy touch brought an end to his break away.

The result leaves Rangers now without a goal for 3 games and they need to find their shooting boots if they are going to start winning games.

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 0 Mossley 1

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Luke Edwards, 4 Ashley Fallon (14 Joe Thomas 46m), 5 Harry Flowers (15 James O’Neill 6m), 6 Callum Wilson, 7 Dylan Scott (16 Leon Hughes 90m), 8 James McQuilkin (12 John Atherton 74m), 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Jack Birch, 11 Matthew Hearsey (17 Max Chimenes 65m).

Mossley: 1 Finley Madigan, 2 Jack Marrow, 3 Callum Jones, 4 Mark Lees, 5 Jack Grundy, 6 Harry Barber-Olufowobi, 7 Joseph Adams (17 Guilherme Baltazar 74m), 8 Callum Stringer, 9 Reece Webb-Foster, 10 Sean Kgwakgwa, 11 Rio Alston (16 Isaac Noble 74m). Unused Subs: 12 Connor Marsh, 14 Joe Berks, 15 Ben Connolly

Referee: Keiron Rogers

Cautions:

Rangers: Wilson 39m, Edwards 69m

Mossley: Webb-Foster 63m, Alston 72m

Goals:
Mossley: Barber-Olufowobi 47m

Att: 761

Report by Chris Elsley

Graham Deakin Interview