Stafford Rangers v Matlock Town

REPORT

Stafford Rangers were left still searching for their first point of 2023 after slipping to their third defeat of the year and a third of the season against visiting Matlock Town.

After last week’s loss at home to Gainsborough which had seen the Boro throw a three goal lead, Rangers recalled defenders Ethan Stewart and Joe Dunne to the starting line up with Luis Morrison-Derbyshire and Akeem Hinds missing out – the latter not even making the 16 after a couple of disappointing performances.

Rangers made a dreadful start to their afternoon going a goal behind within 10 seconds of the kick off. A poor touch from Jimmy O’Neill allowed Karl Demidh in and, despite an initial slip, he was able to fire past Cameron Belford from 25 yards out.

Visitors Matlock were all over Rangers and made it 2-0 in the 7th minute. Again it was an avoidable goal as far as the home side were concerned. Stewart’s back pass put Belford under pressure and the Stafford keeper sliced his clearance for a throw in on the Matlock left.

Alex Duhameau received the ball back from Demidh and sent in a deep cross that was met on the volley by John Johnson, leaving Belford grasping thin air.

After a double strike so early, the game took some time to settle. Both sides were guilty of scrappy play with Rangers launching desperate long balls to Kaiman Anderson – most of which were easily dealt with by the experienced Adam Yates – while Matlock failed to extend their lead with some poor play in the final third.

Chances were few and it wasn’t until the half hour mark that either goal was put under any further danger. The source of the chance, when it came, was a long clearance from Saul Deeney. Jorome Slew played in Demidh but Andy Burns recovered from a collision with Dunne to block the shot.

Rangers had a let off on 35 minutes when O’Neill clearly tugged the shirt of Dan Evans in front of referee James Lunn but the man in black allowed play to continue.

It took until just before the half time break for Rangers to have a shot on goal but Alex-Ray Harvey’s effort from the edge of the area was blocked by a visiting defender.

Jack Baxter replaced Joe Willis for the second half and he played his part in a much better showing from the home side.

Within a minute Tonks fired over then Baxter himself fired wide.

Baxter, dropped to the bench after the Belper defeat, looked keen to prove a point as another shot hit Yates before sending the rebound over.

Chances kept coming but Anderson fired over then saw Deeney make his first save of the afternoon though the shot lacked the necessary power, making Deeney’s job much easier.

The key moment to a possible Stafford comeback came 15 minutes from time when Jamie Sharman tripped Callum Saunders in the area. Tonks stepped up but his spot kick typified his afternoon and, once Deeney had chosen correctly, it was a routine save for the Matlock keeper.

As Rangers pushed further forward, Matlock had a couple of chances to add to their lead but Belford ensured no further damage with saves from Alex Byrne and Johnson.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne (14 Ethan Morgan 84m), 4 Alex-Ray Harvey, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Alex Kiwomya, 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Callum Saunders, 11 Joe Willis (16 Jack Baxter 46m). Unused subs 12 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 15 Joe Kenton, 17 Darius Smith

Matlock Town: 1 Saul Deeney, 2 Jamie Sharman, 3 Alex Duhameau, 4 Simon Njaria (14 Saul Milovanovic 77m), 5 Adam Yates, 6 Dan Evans, 7 Alex Byrne, 8 Tyrone Cadeau, 9 Karl Demidh (12 Jack Deakin 39m), 10 Jorome Slew, 11 John Johnson. Unused Subs 15 Jaz Gounry, 17 Dylan Hough – only four subs named

Referee: James Lunn

Cautions: Sharman, Slew (Matlock)

Att: 751

Report by Chris Elsley