Stafford Rangers v Bradford Park Avenue

REPORT

A goal-less draw earned Stafford Rangers their first point in six games although they remain in the bottom four of the Northern Premier League.

Matt Hill made one change to the starting line up with Sam Bird replacing Nathan Blissett to face a Bradford side still searching for their first win on the road.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening ten minutes but were unable to find a way through the Stafford defence.

Their best opportunity fell to Brad Dockerty after Simon Njaria had been caught on the ball by Lewis Hey but the Bradford number 9 was off target with his shot on goal.

Will Lancaster was also off target – shooting wide from the edge of the area after a good run through the Stafford midfield and defence.

Rangers gradually came more into the game and some good work from Joe Dunne resulted in a half chance for Joe Willis who sent his shot just the wrong side of the post.

The game was lacking in goal mouth activity and needed a spark to liven up proceedings. There was a potential flashpoint just before half time when a strong challenge from Willis on Simon Richman had the visiting team begging for a red card but referee Melissa Burgin decided it was nothing more serious than a yellow for the Stafford man.

Jay Ford replaced Aaron Braithwaite at half time and the youngster had a great chance to put the Boro ahead shortly after the restart but he sliced over from close range.

Bird went close soon after following an error from Bradford’s Mitch Lund that allowed Kaiman Anderson to get in a low centre.

Rangers were firmly in charge and asking all the questions and only a good save from George Sykes-Kenworthy prevented Anderson from opening the scoring. The former Stafford keeper later kept out a header from Willis.

Having kept Stafford at bay, Bradford hoped to steal the points with a late “smash and grab” raid although they only managed one shot on goal and Cam Belford produced one for the cameras as he leapt to his right to catch a curler from Harrison Hopper.

Despite only picking up a point it was a much improved display from the home side and one that gives some optimism that they will pull away from the relegation zone.

Stafford: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jake Moult, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Simon Njaria, 7 Sam Bird, 8 Aaron Braithwaite (14 Jay Ford 46m), 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis, 11 Jack Massey (15 Tyreece Onyeka 66m). Unused Subs: 12 Nathan Blissett, 13 Joel Torrance, 16 Ben Woods

Bradford (Park Avenue): 1 George Sykes-Kenworthy, 2 Lucas Odunston, 3 Jak Whiting, 4 Mitch Lund, 5 Luca Havern (15 Myles La Bastide 75m), 6 Will Lancaster, 7 Harrison Hopper, 8 Simon Richman, 9 Brad Dockerty (14 Chinedu Osaoebe 63m), 10 Harry Colville, 11 Lewis Hey (16 Jordan Preston 63m). Unused Subs 13 Danny King, 17 Oli Johnson

Referee: Melissa Burgin

Cautions: Belford, Willis (Stafford), Whiting, Dockerty (Bradford)

Att: 517

Report by Chris Elsley