Stafford Rangers v Vauxhall Motors

REPORT

Rangers scored the first and last goals of the afternoon but, in between, they gifted the visitors four of their own. It was the third time in four games that the Stafford defence had conceded four.

After a disappointing showing at Clitheroe last week, Neil Kitching made five changes to the starting XI. Scott Wara was injured, Jack Birch not available and Callum King-Harmes has now departed for a teaching post in Australia. Joe Thomas and Dylan Scott dropped to the bench.

Back in the side after a five week absence was Jack Sherratt and his return allowed Andy Burns to move to right back with Callum Wilson pushing up into midfield.

The changes seemed to have the desired effect when Rangers went ahead after just 90 seconds.

Wilson was put clear and though his initial effort was saved by Reece Trueman, the Stafford man was able to snap up the loose ball to score at the second attempt.

But, the lead was short lived. Vauxhall levelled in the 7th minute after they had won a series of corners. The third of these, taken by Finlay Heath, went directly in at the back post.

Despite this setback, Rangers were still in the ascendency. Kaiman Anderson shot across goal while a poor final ball from Wilson cost his side another opportunity before Anderson saw a well struck shot pushed away by Trueman. Tomasi Wara and Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi both had shots blocked.

At the other end, in a rare threat from the visitors, Joseph Malkin was unchallenged from Jordan Deer’s free kick and flicked a header just wide.

But sloppy play at the back gifted the Motormen the lead on 32 minutes. A poor clearance from Wara was cut out by Heath. He quickly played in Conor Harwood but even then both Wara and Jimmy O’Neill had the opportunity to prevent the shot before the Vauxhall no 10 slotted past Arron Davies.

A surging run from Sherratt wasn’t matched by the finish as he sent his shot over the Shed End roof. Instead it was Vauxhall who struck again, three minutes before the interval, with a goal that was almost a carbon copy of their first.

Another left wing corner from Heath caused Rangers trouble at the back post and Michael Grogan added the finishing touch.

Rangers were forced to make a change at the start of the second half with John Atherton replacing O’Neill who had picked up a foot injury. This forced Wilson to drop back but Rangers still created a number of chances to get themselves back in to the game.

Anderson wasn’t sharp enough to get on the end of a low centre from Wilson while Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi was denied by Trueman after some good play from Logan Cousins. Wilson himself then fired over after cutting in from the right.

It wasn’t all one way and Vauxhall went close to extending their lead with a well struck volley from Heath that Davies had to turn over the bar.

But, the most telling moment of the second came when Anderson hit the bar after more good play from Cousins. It was a chance that should have been taken. Had it been, it could have kick started Stafford’s recovery but it was a miss that symbolised recent fortunes for the home club.

Further chances came and went for Rangers with Anderson, Atherton and Sherratt all failing to find the target.

But, Vauxhall had things too easy in open play and Kyle Sambor came close to adding to their lead with Davies saved well after initially being caught out of position then the Vauxhall man hit the bar.

Any lingering hopes that remained for Stafford were finally extinguished in the first minute of added time when Sambor had a simple tap in after Davies had saved the initial effort from Kevin Ellison.

The final word did go to the home side when Wara reduced the arrears in the fifth minute of added time but it was small consolation.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Arron Davies, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Jack Sherratt, 4 Mason Rees (14 Joe Thomas 68m), 5 Tomasi Wara, 6 Jimmy O’Neill (15 John Atherton 46m (12 Dylan Scott 81m)), 7 Callum Wilson, 8 Ashley Fallon, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Logan Cousins, 11 Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi (16 Dan Cockerline 61m). Unused Sub 17 Ben O’Hanlon

Vauxhall Motors: 1 Reece Trueman, 2 Joshua Solomon-Davies, 3 Jordan Deer, 4 Wade Rutherford, 5 Michael Grogan, 6 Finlay Heath (14 Max Harrison 90m), 7 Ben Homes, 8 Nathan Sandison (12 Kevin Ellison 71m), 9 Joseph Malkin, 10 Conor Harwood (15 Nathan Corness 83m), 11 Kyle Sambor. Only 3 Subs named

Goals: Stafford: Wilson 2m, T Wara 90+5m;

Vauxhall Motors Heath 7m, Harwood 32m, Grogan 42m, Sambor 90+1m

Referee: Matthew Longdon

Cautions: Sherratt (Stafford); Harwood (Vauxhall Motors)

Att: 479

Report by Chris Elsley