Stafford Rangers — Shrewsbury Town

REPORT

The Shropshire side sent a strong team over, with a number of new signings on display for the visitors, including Joe Gbode who recently signed on loan from Luton Town, as well as a return for Isaac Lee who appeared for The Boro himself on loan in 2024.

The home side themselves were able to welcome Scott Bakkor & Mitch Clarke into their first friendly action, with both players settling well into their new surroundings, as Stafford fans turned out in their numbers on a warm Summer evening.

Scott Bakkor made his first appearance of pre season

It was the visitors who settled in the opening stages, forcing a corner in the opening minute which Joe Thompson defended well, before having their first effort when Tom Sang saw his effort blocked inside the box.

Home fans then had their first moment to cheer when Tom Tonks, returning to the club following his release from Tamworth, took to the byline on the Marston Road side to launch a trademark throw into the box, although on this occasion the visiting goalkeeper did well to claim the ball.

Despite their being five divisions difference in the football pyramid, Stafford did well to compete with The Shrews, with Bebeto Gomes finding his home down the right hand flank, at times tormenting his opposite number as he hustled and harried for the ball, looking certain to quickly become a fan favourite.

Beto Gomes imposed himself down the right flank

Leon Phillips in the home goal was called into action a couple of times in the first half, however he wasn’t to be beaten as he kept out efforts from two of Shrewsbury’s new signings, Isaac Fletcher, and then Arkell Jude-Boyd.

Both sides made changes at the break with the visitors bringing on a fresh eleven players, and it was the away side who was to have the first opportunity when their Trialist player took on the Rangers defence down the left before seeing his shot diverted wide for a corner.

Kyle Sambor then showed persistence up front as he closed down Harry Burgoyne in the Shrews goal, and his backpass almost went straight to Jack Birch for what would have been a great chance to score inside the area.

However the best chance was to come with twenty minutes remaining when Wealth Da Silva won a corner after showing great strength and skill to weave down the left hand side, with Clarke finding himself at the back post from the resultant set-piece, but agonisingly saw his header parried away by Burgoyne in goal.

Wealth da Silva leaves his opponent in a heap as he drives forward

Burgoyne parries Clarke’s header

Shrewsbury were to have the final chance in the 90th minute when Jay Turner-Cooke dragged his shot wide of Russell Saunders goal, keeping the scoreline at a stalemate, meaning The Boro’ remain unbeaten from their opening three pre-season friendlies, and are yet to concede a goal, with a trip to North Staffordshire side Leek Town up next at the weekend.

The game finished even with the Boro’ acquitting themselves excellently against league opposition

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