Stafford Rangers v Newcastle Town

REPORT

After a promising start to the campaign, Stafford Rangers’ season is threatening to come off the rails after another lacklustre display saw them dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

There were few in the ground who would deny that visitors Newcastle Town were worthy of their victory – the looked the more determined of the two sides from the kick off although Cameron Belford in the Stafford goal wasn’t called into action until the 17th minute when he flung himself to his left to turn away Connor Russo’s close range header.

This came just a couple of minutes after Rangers themselves could have gone ahead. Joe Dunne linked with Jaiden White on the left before drilling the ball into the danger area. Ntumba Massanka was unable to make clean contact and Alex Kiwomya couldn’t get any touch at all.

A quick throw from Tom Tonks – back in a more familiar midfield role after filling in at right back – should have been converted by Massanka but once more he failed to find the target while Jack Baxter’s 18 yard drive struck the advertising boards on The Shed End roof.

In between, at the other end of the field, Luis Morrison-Derbyshire had to make a block to keep out Jack Van Der Laan.

Brother Tommy Van Der Laan missed out with two hacks at the ball but, as it looked like the two sides would go into the interval on level terms, James Askey was left free to plant a header beyond the reach of Belford after Baxter could only help on Russo’s long throw.

Newcastle made it 2-0 just four minutes after the interval. After two failed attempts from Russo, Ethan Vale delivered in a cross from the right and Jacob Lovatt steered his header past Belford.

Baxter went close to pulling one back with a fierce 25 yarder that was tipped over by Joe Slinn while Ethan Stewart headed wide from the resulting corner.

Penalty claims from the Boro were turned away when White went down claiming a push from Luke Dennis.

Kiwomya, Tonks and Morrison-Derbyshire were all off target with late efforts as Rangers’ hopes wilted away.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Joe Kenton, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya , 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Ntumba Massanka (16 Nathan Caine 79m), 10 Chris Clements (14 Adam Livingstone 82m), 11 Jaiden White (12 Kaiman Anderson 82m). Unused Subs 13 Ty Belford, 15 Joe Willis

Newcastle Town: 1 Joe Slinn, 2 Joe Hurst, 3 Oliver Ritchie, 4 Ethan Vale, 5 James Askey, 6 Luke Dennis, 7 Mike Conlon, 8 Tommy Van Der Laan, 9 Jacob Lovatt (18 Chris Smith 82m), 10 Jack Van Der Laan, 11 Connor Russo (16 Nathan Morley 70m). Unused Subs: 12 William Lloyd, 14 Jayden Hunter, 15 Ryan Baxter, 17 Callum Parker, 19 Oliver Torvussen

Cautions: Askey (Newcastle)

Ref: Matthew McQuillan

Att: 549

Report: Chris Elsley