Stafford Rangers v Atherton Collieries

REPORT

The promise shown in recent performances came to fruition as Stafford Rangers hit Atherton Collieries for five at a sunny Stan Robinson Stadium.

Rangers made one change to the side beaten by Wythenshawe with Jimmy O’Neill getting his first action for 6 weeks in place of the suspended Michael McGrath.

Dale Belford’s side were in control from kick off and wasted no time in getting the ball into dangerous areas and Dan Cockerline stabbed wide at the near post.

Atherton suffered a set back when Toba Obitayo picked up an early injury but his replacement Will Riding proved to be one of the visitors’ better players on a disappointing afternoon for the visitors.

It was a free kick from the substitute that resulted in Cam Belford making the first save of the afternoon as he tipped over a free header from Callen Gallagher. A minute earlier, Alex Doyle had gone wide from 25 yards.

As well as displaying his defensive qualities, O’Neill proved a constant threat to Atherton with his long throw ins. Joe Morley had headed over from one and a second caused problems in the six yard area before the visitors were awarded a free kick.

But, it was from one of those long throws that Rangers took a deserved lead on 28 minutes – the ball glancing off the head of Gallagher and John Atherton got in ahead of his man to force the ball home from close range.

A minute later, it was 2-0. Cockerline out played Danny Lafferty on the left and although Atherton was unable to take the chance, the ball fell nicely for Kaiman Anderson to drill home his first goal since returning to the club.

Rangers continued to dominate but a misunderstanding between Andy Burns – making the 500th appearance of his career – and Scott Wara allowed Tom Warren to set up Lewis Rawsthorn but with just Belford to beat, the Colls’ number 9 placed his effort badly wide.

Seconds later, Belford gathered a scuffed shot from Keilan Adams but any nerves in the Stafford camp were overcome and they took their two goal advantage into the break.

Visiting boss Michael Clegg made three changes for the second half and his side showed more stability if not posing more of a threat up front but the important third goal fell to the home side on the hour mark.

A right wing corner from the impressive James McQuilkin was met by Wara. His header struck Josh Solomon-Davies but Atherton was first to react and hooked home his second of the afternoon.

Any lingering doubts as to where the points would be heading were well and truly put to bed on 68 minutes when Cockerline ran on to a long kick from Belford and beat Ellis Litherland inside his right hand post.

Anderson made it 5-0 on 85 minutes when he scored from around six yards following a low centre from Stanley Anaebonam before Alfie Belcher missed a good chance for a consolation goal for the visitors.

It was Rangers’ biggest win since April 2022 when they beat Ashton United by the same scoreline but, more importantly, it went some way to improving their negative goal difference.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon (12 Jack Burgess 85m), 5 Jimmy O’Neill, 6 Scott Wara, 7 John Atherton (16 Stanley Anaebonam 78m), 8 James McQuilkin, 9 Dan Cockerline (14 Luca Whitney 78m), 10 Kaiman Anderson, 11 Joe Morley (17 Sean Lawton 87m) Unused Subs 15 Sean Cooke

Atherton Collieries: 1 Ellis Litherland, 2 Bobby Bjork (16 Josh Solomon-Davies 46m), 3 Tom Warren, 4 Toba Obitayo (17 Will Riding 12m), 5 Danny Lafferty, 6 Callen Gallagher, 7 Alex Doyle, 8 Danny Lambert (15 Alfie Belcher 46m), 9 Lewis Rawsthorn, 10 Keilan Adams, 11 Ethan Kershaw (14 Pa Babou Jenkins 46m). Unused Subs 12 Tom Bentham

Cautions: C Belford, Burns (Rangers), Lafferty, Adams (Atherton)

Referee: Tom Wall

Attendance: 654

Report by Chris Elsley