Details

Date Time Competition Season Day Att
08/10/2024 7:45 pm NPL West Division 2024/2025 Tue 466

REPORT

No goals but plenty to entertain in this Staffordshire derby.

Rangers had the better chances but found visiting keeper Kieran Harrison on top form and, on the one time he was beaten, Dan Cockerline’s terrific shot came back off the cross bar.

Dale Belford made one change to the side that won at Bootle three days earlier with Kaiman Anderson coming straight in to the side following his return to the club from troubled Walsall Wood. Making way was Dylan Barkers who had to settle for a place on the bench.

Rangers played some good football in their approach. James McQuilkin had his best game to date with an energetic display in midfield while newcomer Ashley Fallon also played his part providing some of the grit that has been lacking.

First half chances were plentiful with Anderson failing with an overhead kick after Harrison had parried away Joe Morley’s centre. Soon after, Fallon saw his drive fly over after Anderson had delayed pulling the trigger himself.

It wasn’t all one way and Kidsgrove were keen to launch their own attacks but they didn’t ask the same questions of Cam Belford as Rangers were of Harrison.

This was down to some committed defending typified when Michael McGrath threw himself in front of a shot from Kyle Diskin on the half hour.

Rangers quickly switched to the opposite end through an accurate long ball from Belford. It was taken down well by Cockerline and saw his opportunity only for the ball to rattle the cross bar.

Anderson had two further chances to break the deadlock before the half time whistle but he was denied by Harrison diving low to his right with the first and put the second just wide after good work from Stanley Anaebonam.

The second half started on the same script with Anaebonam causing more problems on the right. Anderson helped the ball across the face of goal where Morley was waiting to pounce but good defending from Harry Goode allowed Harrison to smother.

Less than a minute later, Morley headed forward to Cockerline who, spotting Harrison off his line, tried a lob with the outside of his right boot but it lacked accuracy.

Soon after, Kidsgrove’s Owen Harrison tried a similar lob over Belford with the same outcome.

Keeper Harrison twice denied Anaebonam – the second when the Stafford midfielder was clear through after he was put in by Cockerline.

McGrath headed wide and Cockerline was just unable to get a touch on an inswinging centre from Anderson as Rangers continued to threaten. Harrison made another great save to keep out another Cockerline effort.

It was one of those nights when it would just not go in for Rangers but fears of a late ‘smash and grab’ from the visitors never materialised, despite them making a late push.

 

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon, 5 Michael McGrath, 6 Scott Wara, 7 Stanley Anaebonam (14 Luca Whitney 77m), 8 James McQuilkin, 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Kaiman Anderson, 11 Joe Morley (16 Jon Atherton 69m), Unused Subs 12 Aaron Opoku, 15 Sean Cooke, 17 Dylan Barkers

Kidsgrove Athletic: 1 Kieran Harrison, 2 Harry Goode, 3 Kyle Stubbs (14 Aaron Bott 82m), 4 Jack Bromfield, 5 Shaun Rhodes, 6 Ritchie Sutton (15 Jimmy Garlick 26m), 7 Kyle Diskin (12 Kingsley Gyamfi 64m), 8 Ernie Ofusu, 9 Matt Rhead, 10 Robbie Hatton (16 Dan Holdcroft 73m), 11 Owen Harrison. Unused Sub 17 Josh Oultram

Cautions: O’Hanlon, Fallon (Rangers), K Harrison, Bromfield (Kidsgrove)

Referee: Andrew Biggin

Attendance: 466

Report by Chris Elsley

 

Ground

Marston Road
Marston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 3BX

Stafford Rangers

1Cameron Belford
2Andrew Burns
3Ben O’Hanlon 82'
4Ashley Fallon 94'
5Michael McGrath
6Scott Wara
7Stanley Anaebonam 14
8James McQuilkin
9Dan Cockerline
10Kaiman Anderson
11Joe Morley 16
12Aaron Opoku
14Luca Whitney 7
15Sean Cooke
16John Atherton 11
17Dylan Barkers

Kidsgrove Athletic

1Kieran Harrison
2Harry Goode
4Jack Bromfield 45'
5Shaun Rhodes
6Richie Sutton 15
7Kyle Diskin 12
8Ernest Ofosu
9Matt Rhead
10Robbie Hatton 16
11Owen Harrison
12Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi 7
14Aaron Bott 3
15Jimmy Garlick 6
16Dan Holdcroft 10
17Josh Oultram
Goals
0
0
Total Shots
9
1
Shots on Target
5
1
Assists
0
0
Yellow Cards
2
1
Red Cards
0
0

Stafford Rangers KO Kidsgrove Athletic KO 26 45 64 69 73 77 81 82 94 FT

Past Meetings

DateHomeResultsAwayTime
Stafford RangersKidsgrove Athletic
Stafford RangersKidsgrove Athletic