Stafford Rangers v Vauxhall Motors

REPORT

Only one goal separated the sides at the Stan Robinson Stadium as Stafford Rangers were narrowly beaten at home to high flying Vauxhall Motors.

Ben O’Hanlon returned to the starting line up after injury and an appearance as a second half substitute in midweek, but midfielder Dylan Barkers was unavailable.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, with a shot from 25 yards going just wide of Cam Belford’s goal. A couple more half chances fell to Vauxhall, but they came to nothing. Toby Jones did find the back of the Stafford net but his overhead kick was ruled out after a high foot on Staffords Andy Burns.

At the other end, a scramble in the Vauxhall area gave Rangers an opportunity, but Dan Cockerline could not finish.

A header from Joe Mwasile and a shot from Tyrone Cadeau just before the interval marked the best chances of the half for Rangers and an even contest saw the two teams go in at the break on even terms. Rangers played some good passing football, but appeared to lack the final touch.

The second half began with Stafford making their first substitution, as Joe Robbins was replaced by AJ Leitch-Smith.

A counter attack from the home side came to nothing as they were unable to produce a shot on goal, but they kept pressing and Cockerline managed a header on goal following a corner, but it was straight to the visiting keeper.

Just before the hour, Belford – on his 100th appearance for the club – made a great save to keep the scores level. Soon after, there was a further chance for Vauxhall, but the header looped onto the roof of the net.

The Motormen got what proved to be the winner on the 70th minute with a great strike on the half volley from Nick Rushton following a long throw, which Diego McGann was unable to cut out.

With time ticking away, Rangers tried to build some momentum in the game but were unable to create much of a threat to the visitors’ goal.

The best chance came following a corner, which caused some problems in the danger area, but the ball would not quite fall for Stafford.

In the five minutes of additional time there were huge shouts by Rangers for handball in the penalty area, but it was not given.

Although the Stafford camp was left disappointed at full time, it was a close game between the two sides. One goal always looked likely to be enough to settle things and that happened to fall to Vauxhall on the day.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Jacob Edwards (15 Diego McGann 67m), 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 James McQuilkin, 5 Andy Burns, 6 Sean Lawton, 7 Joe Mwasile (12 Joe Morley 60m), 8 Joe Robbins (17 AJ Leitch-Smith 45m), 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Tyrone Cadeau, 11 Stanley Anaebonam (16 Luca Whitney 67m). Unused Substitutes 14 Alex Harrison

Vauxhall Motors: 1 Jack Atkinson, 2 Ben Dufton-Kelly, 3 Isaac Godwin, 4 Toby Jones, 5 Vita Mbolokele, 6 Ben Holmes (12 Kevin Ellison 61m), 7 Jawad Jebrin (17 George Nugent 89m), 8 Jake Kirby-Reed, 9 Connor Rankin, 10 Nick Rushton (Goal 70m) (15 Paddy Kay 73m), 11 Josh Quarless (16 Jordan Wynne 85m) Unused Substitutes 14 Ethan Gouldbourne

Cautions: Burns (Stafford), Atkinson (Vauxhall Motors)

Referee: Peter Dingle

Attendance: 494

Report by Scott Holmes