Stafford Rangers v Marske United

REPORT

Stafford Rangers ended a five match losing run with a comfortable victory over relegation threatened Marske United.

Manager Matt Hill made two changes to the side beaten at Marine in midweek with Alex Kiwomya and Callum Saunders dropping to the bench. In their places came Joe Kenton and Ethan Morgan, the latter having impressed as a second half substitute at Marine.

Marske, making their first ever visit to Stafford, went into the game occupying the fourth relegation spot in the table but with several games in hand over most of their rivals – they have played 8 fewer games than the Boro, but maybe more importantly, Nantwich Town who were only a point better off at the start of the day.

The visitors looked to make an immediate impact and take advantage of any lack of confidence in the Stafford side and went close inside the first minute when Donald Chimalilo’s outstretched leg saw him divert Dale Hopson’s deep centre towards goal but Cam Belford made the save.

Rangers soon had a chance themselves. Marske’s George Horbury picked up an early caution for halting Kaiman Anderson’s advance on goal but Tom Tonks could only find visiting keeper Michael Roxburgh with the free kick.

Rangers did look a little shaky at the back in the opening exchanges and it needed a good intervention from Joe Dunne to cut out a dangerous ball from Adam Boyes.

After the initial showing from Marske, their challenge faded away rapidly as Rangers not only found their feet but also their heads – Ethan Stewart getting two headers in on goal but neither threatened to open the scoring.

Despite Rangers starting to assert greater authority on the game, there was still much relief around the ground when Jack Baxter rifled them ahead on the half hour.

Roxburgh failed to cut out Kenton’s right wing cross. Morgan picked up possession at the back and played back to Baxter who, having fooled Jason Kennedy to create the space, fired across the Marske keeper from the left side of the area.

Rangers remained on top for the rest of the half without creating too much of a threat on goal. Two chances fell their way; the first a clearance that bounced to Roxburgh after striking Morgan and the second saw a Baxter volley blocked. There may have been another but Tonks’ run down the right was halted by referee Harry Tarrant for a free kick to Rangers. The man in black immediately apologised to all in the Stafford camp – including the management team – for not allowing the advantage.

Stafford went close to adding to their lead early in the second half but Tonks was denied by Roxburgh before Kevin Burgess cleared off the line from Kaiman Anderson’s follow up effort.

Marske briefly threatened as Dale Hopson had a shot blocked and Burgess volleyed from 30 yards out but it was not enough to cause great concern.

At the other end, the trio of Anderson, Morgan and Kiwomya – on for Kenton – all failed to find the target. Baxter had a better effort with a 20 yard drive that was well tipped over by Roxburgh.

A single goal lead is precarious against any side but Rangers’ nerves were eased with 8 minutes left on the clock.

If Roxburgh could take some of the blame for his part in Rangers’ opener, he was fully responsible for the second as he flapped Tonks’ left wing throw into his own net and the home side held out for their first win since Boxing Day.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Joe Kenton (16 Alex Kiwomya 72m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Alex-Ray Harvey, 11 Ethan Morgan (14 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire 90+3m). Unused subs 12 Joe Willis, 15 Callum Saunders, 17 Tyreece Onyema

Marske United: 1 Michael Roxburgh, 2 Connor Smith (14 Joshua Scott 46m), 3 Jordan Emery, 4 Jason Kennedy (15 Ethen Vaughan 46m), 5 Kevin Burgess, 6 Alexander Storey, 7 Josh MacDonald, 8 George Horbury, 9 Adam Boyes, 10 Dale Hopson, 11 Donald Chimalilo (12 Jorge Sikora 78m). Unused Sub 16 Jaan Yaqub – only four subs named

Referee: Harry Tarrant

Cautions: Morgan (Stafford), Horbury (Marske)

Att: 647

Report by Chris Elsley