Stafford Rangers v Morpeth Town

REPORT

Stafford Rangers’ troubles continued with a demoralising 3-0 defeat at home to Morpeth Town.

With Sam Bird suspended, there was a recall for Andy Burns and the right back was one of very few to emerge with any credit from the game.

After an uninspiring opening, Rangers began to take the upper hand. A counter attack involving Niah Payne and James Carvell threatened to open up the visitors’ defence until Michael Turner came across with a no nonsense clearance.

A Burns centre picked out Nathan Blissett who headed wide.

Morpeth did get the ball in the Stafford net after a scramble following a Liam Noble free kick but the assistant on the far side flagged that the ball had gone out of play for a corner.

Another Blissett effort lacked the ingredients needed to trouble the visiting keeper while a header from Taylor McMahon’s cross was glanced across goal.

Just as it looked like half time would arrive with the game still goal-less, Rangers found themselves behind.

A throw on the Morpeth right saw Josh Robson combine with William Jenkins. A poor touch from Jake Moult only diverted the ball into the path of Andrew Johnson who snapped up the opportunity.

Morpeth doubled their lead on the hour. Jenkins and Jack Foalle were given too much time on the visitors’ right. The latter picked out the oncoming Noble who shot past Cam Belford without a breaking stride.

Rangers’ heads visibly dropped although they might have reduced the arrears had Edy Maieco stretched to convert a shot from Joe Willis.

Instead, it was Morpeth who found the net once more. A nice touch from Jenkins set up Fenton John who fired into the roof of the net to wrap things up on 71 minutes.

It wasn’t until the final minute that Morpeth keeper Dan Lowson had to make a save as he kept out a decent effort from Aaron Braithwaite before another save denied Kaiman Anderson in added time.

But there was nothing to paper over the cracks as Rangers’ winless league run was extended to ten games.

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Taylor McMahon, 4 Jake Moult, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Simon Njaria (12 Aaron Braithwaite 62m), 7 Kaiman Anderson, 8 Joe Willis, 9 Nathan Blissett, 10 James Carvell (17 Tyreece Onyeka 77m), 11 Niah Payne (Edy Maieco 62m). Unused Subs: 14 Ben Woods, 16 Ethan Morgan

Morpeth Town: 1 Dan Lowson, 2 Josh Robson, 3 Chris Reid, 4 William Jenkins, 5 Jeff Henderson, 6 Michael Turner, 7 Jack Foalle, 8 Liam Noble (12 Ryan Wombwell 86m), 9 Sam Hodgson (14 Vinnie Steels 74m), 10 Fenton John, 11 Andrew Johnson (16 Daniel Barlow 80m). Unused Sub: 15 Ryan Donaldson- only 4 subs named

Referee: Richard Walker

Cautions: Njaria, Belford, Willis, Matt Hill (Stafford) Foalle (Morpeth)

Att: 578

Report by Chris Elsley