Stafford Rangers v Clitheroe

REPORT

It took Tyrone Cadeau less than two minutes to show Stafford Rangers fans what they had been missing as he orchestrated a win for the Boro on their return to the Stan Robinson Stadium after seven consecutive away games.

Announced as a signing pre-season, Cadeau had been unable to play due to a contractual dispute with his former club Kidsgrove Athletic but he had waited patiently for his moment then grabbed it firmly with both hands.

Dave Cooke had to re-organise his defence after injury to Jimmy O’Neill in Saturday’s defeat at Walsall Wood left him without a recognised central defender. Andy Burns has been playing alongside O’Neill in recent weeks and he was joined by Sean Lawton with Jacob Edwards switching to the left and James McQuilkin dropping in at right back.

But it was Cadeau who caught the attention as he picked up possession midway inside the Clitheroe half then skipped past a couple of defenders before firing past Solomon Honor.

A minute later, Cadeau set up Stanley Anaebonam but Honor blocked the shot at his near post.

Charlie Hayes-Green missed a good chance to level with a free header before the visitors struck back in the 8th minute with a Veron Parny free kick, harshly awarded for handball against Joe Robbins.

Play was open and switched from end to end. Anaebonam went inches wide for Stafford while the impressive Parny forced Cam Belford to tip over.

The game was briefly held up following a clash of heads between Lawton and Connor High with both players able to continue bandaged up.

Cadeau fired Rangers 2-1 up on 33 mins when he finished off an excellent move involving Robbins and Joe Mwaslie but the lead always looked fragile as Clitheroe kept pressing.

Cameron Bradbury-Allen saw his centre deflect wide off Parny who then rode through a couple of challenges but couldn’t find the opportunity to shoot.

The visitors got their equaliser four minutes into added time. Rangers were unhappy that play was allowed to continue after Mwasile appeared to be fouled in the centre of the pitch and Miles Storey picked out the unmarked Richard Baker who had time to control before firing past Belford.

Clitheroe began the second half as the stronger of the two sides it needed some good defending from both Lawton and Burns to prevent Parny from putting them ahead on 53 mins.

Rangers woke up and were ahead just a minute later. Cadeau gave Anaebonam a ball to chase on the left and he jimmied his way past Bradbury-Allen before beating Honor at his near post.

Clitheroe captain Baker prevented Cadeau getting his third with a superbly timed tackle on the edge of the area while Honor tipped away a well struck free kick from Robbins that was heading for the top corner.

The last 15 minutes saw constant Clitheroe pressure and with Stafford often resorting to an 11 man defence, the ball kept coming back at them.

Domaine Rouse had an opportunity with a back post header while Burns was on hand to clear the lines after Javaun Splatt had beaten Belford to a ball on the right side of the area.

Splatt sent another effort wide and Sean McConville skimmed the top of the bar from just outside the area but Rangers held on to claim the points.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 James McQuilkin, 3 Jacob Edwards (14 Ben O’Hanlon 89m), 4 Dylan Barkers, 5 Andy Burns, 6 Sean Lawton, 7 Joe Mwasile (12 Joe Morley 78m), 8 Joe Robbins, 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Tyrone Cadeau, 11 Stanley Anaebonam (17 Diego McGann 90+2m). Unused Substitutes 15 Luca Whitney, 16 AJ Leitch-Smith

Clitheroe: 1 Solomon Honor, 2 Jacob Hanson, 3 Cameron Bradbury-Allen (15 Matty Clarke 58m), 4 Harry Brockbank (14 Domaine Rouse 71m), 5 Charlie Hayes-Green, 6 Richard Baker (12 Sean McConville 71m), 7 Ross Dent, 8 Connor High (17 Danny Wilkins 58m), 9 Javaun Splatt, 10 Veron Parny, 11 Miles Storey. Unused Sub 16 Sajjad Eihassan

Cautions: Robbins, Cadeau, Lawton (Stafford) Dent, Bradbury-Allen, Rouse (Clitheroe)

Referee: Alex Rolfe

Attendance: 366

Report by Chris Elsley