Stafford Rangers v Runcorn Linnets

REPORT

Kaiman Anderson salvaged a point for Stafford Rangers with a last minute equaliser as the Boro inched closer to securing their NPL status.

Runcorn Linnets came to Stafford on a good run of form and still harbouring hopes of making a late claim for a play off spot. The Merseysiders’ last defeat was against Rangers at the end of January since when they were unbeaten in 8 games prior to kick off.

Rangers made one change to the side that defeated Trafford a week earlier with Scott Wara, having returned from international duty with Fiji, replacing Michael McGrath who was unavailable.

Despite the best efforts from both sides, a dry and dusty pitch with the added ingredient of a strong breeze didn’t make for a great spectacle for the fans.

Rangers had a good opportunity inside the first couple of minutes after Ashley Fallon won a free kick a few yards outside the Runcorn area. James McQuilkin took the free kick but couldn’t keep his effort down.

After Kaiman Anderson had had two shots blocked, Runcorn launched a counter attack through Luke Wall but his attempt to put Reece Daly in failed when Leon Phillips slid out to claim.

Runcorn keeper Bayleigh Passant did well to block another shot from Anderson after Wara ran across his line of vision.

Passant was involved in the key talking point of the first half when he raced out of his area following a clever ball from Liam Brazier to Dan Cockerline. The two players reached the ball at the same time but Passant’s foot caught the Stafford forward on the shin. The Runcorn keeper was shown a yellow card with the majority of Stafford fans calling for red.

After a fairly nondescript opening, the visitors finished the stronger of the two sides. Naim Arsan and Luke Wall but saw shots deflect off Andy Burns and into the arms of Leon Phillips. Sandwiched in between, the Stafford keeper made a top class save to keep out Ryan Brooke’s header at the back post.

Half time words from Neil Kitching produced an immediate response when Wara heard in James McQuilkin’s corner to put Stafford ahead on 49 minutes.

At this stage, Stafford were putting some decent play together but it was too bitty and lacking quality on the final ball.

Runcorn began to come more into it and shortly after Peter Wylie had had a shot blocked, Runcorn grabbed a 68th minute equaliser when Lewis Doyle found the bottom corner from around 20 yards following a lay off from sub Adam Moseley.

Encouraged, Runcorn started to dictate affairs. A poor defensive header from Phillips almost gifted Doyle with a second goal then, a minute later, the Stafford keeper made another good save as he held on to a close range shot from Brooke after Arsad’s initial shot had bounced up off Wara who was lying injured in the goal mouth.

The pressure eventually told on 78 minutes and it was a particularly disappointing goal for Stafford to concede. Passant nearly messed things up midway inside the Runcorn half but he managed to get the ball to Eden Gumbs. Clever footwork from Gumbs released Doyle and though Phillips saved well from Brooke, Gumbs had continued his run to hammer home the loose ball.

Runcorn appeared be seeing the game out but, in the 6th minute of added time, Joe Morley’s deep cross from the left was played back across by John Atherton and Anderson turned the ball home.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Leon Phillips, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 James McQuilkin, 5 Scott Wara, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Liam Brazier (16 John Atherton 76m), 8 Ashley Fallon (15 Joe Morley 84m), 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Joe Thomas (12 Mason Rees 76m), 11 Kaiman Anderson. Unused Subs 14 Max Barlow, 17 Zac Scutt

Runcorn Linnets: 1 Bayleigh Passant, 2 Peter Wylie, 3 Eden Gumbs, 4 Lewis Doyle, 5 Joe Ferguson, 6 Callum Grogan, 7 Luke Wall (14 Harvey Washington 88m), 8 Jacques Welsh, 9 Ryan Brooke (16 Lewis Crane 90+4m), 10 Reece Daly (12 Adam Moseley 64m), 11 Naim Arsan (15 Jorge Dwyer 81m). Unused Subs 17 Jay Lee

Referee: Mark Reilly

Cautions: Thomas, Burns (Stafford), Passant (Runcorn), Cooke (Runcorn Manager)

Attendance: 836

Report by Chris Elsley