Stafford Rangers v Chasetown FC

REPORT

Stafford Rangers ended their pre-season programme with a disappointing defeat at home to Chasetown.

It was not far off a full strength side that started the game for Rangers but by half time, they found themselves two goals in arrears – both scored by former Stafford man Jack Edwards. With 10 new faces introduced for the second half – many of them triallists – the final outcome wasn’t in much doubt and it was Chasetown who added to their first half tally when Luke Yates scored a third with 9 minutes remaining.

Rangers played the better football in the opening stages with Theo Bailey-Jones and Tom Tonks forcing saves from Curtis Pond but the visitors damped Stafford’s early enthusiasm when Edwards put Chasetown in front in the 10th minute with a 22 yard free kick that beat Cameron Belford via the underside of the cross bar.

Bailey-Jones and Tonks missed out on chances to level the scores but a dreadful piece of defending involving Joe Dunne and keeper Belford allowed Edwards to double the Scholars’ lead on 21 minutes.

The two Stafford players left each other to deal with a long ball from Ryan Wynter. Edwards took advantage as he nipped in between them and gave himself an easy finish.

One of the positives of the afternoon was the performance of Jaiden White who showed some neat touches and frequently beat his man on the left.

The wholesale changes – only Academy product Taylor Draper played all 90 minutes – meant the second half was a flat affair. A couple of the trial players who had featured in previous games showed flashes of promise without reward but Chasetown sat comfortably on their lead.

Yates added his side’s third late on when he was allowed to convert Corey Burke’s near post centre.

Stafford Rangers:
First Half: Cameron Belford, Andy Burns, Joe Dunne, Jack Baxter, Taylor Draper, Luis Morrison, Theo Bailey-Jones, Tom Tonks, Kaiman Anderson, Joe Willis, Jaiden White
Second Half: Triallist A, Triallist B, Triallist C, Will Holt, Taylor Draper, Joe Kenton, Triallist D, Triallist E, Ryan-jAy Malbon, Triallist F, Triallist G

Chasetown: Curtis Pond (Callum Hayward 81m)Luke McGinnell (Jakob Burroughs 46m), Jordan Evans (Zak Foster 56m), Tom Unwin (Kris Taylor 56m), Ryan Wynter (Luke Cox 46m), Olli Hayward, Jack Edwards (Jordan Evans 82m), Mitch Botfield, John Letfold (Corey Burke 56m), Luke Yates, Ben Lund (Liam Kirton 56m)

Att 289

Report Chris Elsley