Stafford Rangers v South Shields

REPORT

Stafford Rangers brought the curtain down on their season with an emphatic victory over the league champions, South Shields, in front of a bumper final day crowd of 1,227.

Matt Hill named the same starting XI that had pocked up a hard earned victory at FC United of Manchester last week and they soon asserted their authority over Shields as Ethan Stewart powered home a header in just the 3rd minute – converting Tom Tonks’ corner.

Shields were dealt another blow when midfielder Robert Briggs hobbled off with injury after 10 minutes.

Rangers retained the upper hand and Tyreece Onyeka gave Blair Adams a tough time on the right.

The youngster was involved in a number of moves that saw Rangers threaten to extend their lead.

He missed one opening himself when he sliced wide before setting up a chance for Joe Willis which was blocked by Tom Broadbent.

Broadbent deflected another Willis shot out for a corner before Andy Burns headed over from Jack Baxter’s free kick.

Defender Burns was then on duty in a more familiar role to block a powerful shot from Dylan Mottley-Henry. It had taken the visitors half an hour to threaten the Stafford goal.

It was the start of a brief spell of pressure from Shields and Joe Kenton – continuing in his new role at right back – got in the way of Mackenzie Heaney’s shot.

Rangers finished the half on the search for a second goal.

Stewart headed wide, Kaiman Anderson was denied by the keeper then Willis failed to hit the target when well placed.

The first 15 minutes of the second half produced little goal mouth action until Burns put another header on to the roof of the Shields net.

Rangers finally got their second on 63 minutes when Anderson got behind Gary Liddle to collect a pass from Alex-Ray Harvey and poked the ball between the legs of Myles Boney.

Onyeka missed two more chances to get his name on the scoresheet while Baxter was kept out by the feet of Boney.

Onyeka was withdrawn on 78 minutes and before he had sat down his replacement Callum Saunders made it 3-0.

Tonks launched a trademark long throw from the right, Burns flicked on and Saunders was given a simple tap in.

Rangers should have made it 4-0 but Anderson chose to go for goal while team mates were in space in front of goal.

In a nice gesture, youth team keeper Jack Sandell made a late appearance as sub for Cam Belford as Stafford’s season finished on a high note.

The result sees Stafford finish in 12th place with just one defeat in their last 12 games and one goal conceded in the final five.

Stafford: 1 Cameron Belford (13 Jack Sandel87m), 2 Joe Kenton, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Alex-Ray Harvey, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Andy Burns, 7 Tyreece Onyeka (16 Callum Saunders 78m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis (15 Ethan Morgan 65m), 11 Jack Baxter. Unused Subs 12 Derek Ubah, 14 Nathan Blissett.

South Shields: 1 Myles Boney, 2 Dillon Morse, 3 Blair Adams (14 Jordy Mongoy 46m), 4 Gary Liddle, 5 Thomas Broadbent, 6 Martin Smith, 7 Jordan Hunter, 8 Robert Briggs (15 Jaoa Gomes 11m), 9 Dylan Mottley-Henry (12 Harry Gardiner 58m), 10 Mackenzie Heaney, 11 Darius Osei. Unused sub 16 Ademola Shokunbi – only 4 subs named

Cautions: Adams (South Shields)

Referee: Daniel Patterson

Att 1,227

Report Chris Elsley