Stafford Rangers v Congleton Town

REPORT

Stafford Rangers responded well to a poor performance and defeat against Shifnal Town with a deserved win against Congleton under the lights at the Stan Robinson Stadium.

Manager Neil Kitching made four changes to the starting line up, one of which was enforced due to the unavailability of Scott Wara. Alex Worley and Mason Rees were left out with Ben O’Hanlon returning and first starts for Zidan Sutherland and Dan Cockerline in for their first starts of the season. The other change came in goal as Arron Davies joined on loan from Port Vale. Previous incumbent Zac Noble dropped to the bench.

Rangers began well and created a couple of half chances before a Congleton counter attack saw Ebou Badjie release Daniel Needham only for Davies to pass his first test with a fine save.

Congleton’s Matthew Liptrott was cautioned for a two footed challenge on Jack Burke and was joined shortly afterwards by team mate Peter Williams for repeatedly kicking out at Ashley Fallon following a tussle. Another day and another referee may have shown red on both occasions.

Jimmy O’Neill had to be alert to deny Kieran Garner-Knapper a shot on goal and then went close at the other end with a header which was held by Dave Parton.

Congleton started to take control of affairs in the latter stages of the first half. A rare slip from Andy Burns allowed Badjie in but Burns recovered to block. Then, O’Neill made a good tackle just inside the area as Badjie threatened again. As paly reached 45 minutes, the visitors won a free kick which Shaun Brisley was unable to convert at the back post.

But, in the third minute of added time, Rangers struck. A long ball from Jack Sherratt was collected by Sutherland and he cut inside and took the ball past the keeper before shooting through a number of visiting defenders. It was a goal against the run of play but deserved over the 45 minutes.

Rangers began the second half on the front foot but a misplaced pass from Jack Sherratt almost undid all the good work as it presented Needham with a great chance. Fortunately for Sherratt, the shot went wide of Davies’ right hand post.
A minute later, Sutherland was within an inch or two of doubling Stafford’s lead after linking with Cockerline but his shot rebounded back off the post.

Further chances came at both ends. Sutherland and Kaiman Anderson both put theirs over for Stafford while Ethan Hartshorn did the same for the opposition.

A dangerous free kick from Needham saw Jack Bates have three goals at levelling the scores but Davies kept his goal intact. The Stafford keeper then saved from Badjie who diverted a ball from Needham towards goal. Needham wasted another chance when he lead a 4 v2 counter attack but chose to go alone and shot tamely at Davies.

Congleton’s hopes of an equaliser were dealt a blow on 76mins when Williams was sent off for a second yellow, this time for a foul on Sherratt, but they were still a threat going forward and it needed Burns to block from Blake to keep Stafford ahead.
Parton denied Cockerline as Stafford looked to secure the win but Sutherland’s first half strike proved sufficient.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Arron Davies, 2 Callum Wilson, 3 Ben O’Hanlon (12 Alex Worley 71m), 4 Jack Sherratt, 5 Andy Burns, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Ashley Fallon, 8 Jack Birch, 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Zidan Sutherland, 11 Kaiman Anderson (15 John Atherton 78m). Unused Subs 13 Zac Noble, 14 Mason Rees, 16 Joe Cuff

Congleton Town: 1 Dave Parton, 2 Matthew Liptrott, 3 Owen Morris, 4 Peter Williams, 5 Shaun Brisley (15 Thomas Allen 80m), 6 Jack Bates, 7 George Sankey (14 Brian Barton 66m), 8 Ethan Hartshorn, 9 Ebou Badjie (12 Thomas Hampton 75m), 10 Kieran Garner-Knapper, 11 Daniel Needham. Unused Subs 16 Owen Beamon, 17 Richard Duffy

Goals: Stafford: Sutherland (45+3m)
Referee: Callum Johnson
Cautions: Wilson, O’Neill (Stafford) Liptrott, Duffy, Brisley, Williams (x2) (Congleton)
Sent Off: Williams (Congleton) – 2 cautions

Att: 615

Report by Chris Elsley