Stafford Rangers — Wythenshawe Town

REPORT

With five league games to play, Stafford moved to strengthen the back-room team by appointing familiar face Alex Meecham to the staff during the week to bring experience, enthusiasm, motivation, and coaching capabilities.

Manager Graham Deakin was pleased with his side’s response after some indifferent performances in recent weeks which had seen them lose their last four league games.

Deakin threw in a surprise selection with defender Jimmy O’Neill playing in attack. It was a role that he has performed with some degree of success in the past but it was his trademark throw ins that produced an early reward.

There were just three minutes gone when a long throw into the goal area landed at the feet of Matt Hearsey and he forced the ball home to put Rangers ahead.

Matt Hearsey celebrates after opening the scoring

The goal eased any early nerves in this “must win” game for Rangers and they doubled the lead on 11 minutes.

Again O’Neill was involved. Excellent control of a high ball allowed him to pick out Dan Cockerline who turned his man to create the space that enabled him to shoot past Greg Hall.

Dan Cockerline beats Wythenshawe’s Greg Hall for 2-0

Rangers dominated the opening stages with Wythenshawe looking likely to concede at any time but the balance changed when the visitors pulled one back on 20 minutes.

Wealth Dasilva collected a long ball from Charlie Martin then took advantage of a slip by Andy Burns to cross for Kobe Mc Williams to hook home.

A revitalised Wythenshawe went close to an equaliser a minute later but Eoin Hogan failed to connect with Daniel Dolling’s cross.

At the other end, Hall made a good double save as he kept out a low drive from Marsel Tola then Cockerline’s follow up.

Rangers’ task became tougher when Tola was sent off on 27 minutes after kicking out at McWilliams when the two players tangled just outside the Stafford penalty area. Referee James Owen had no hesitation in producing the red card and there were no complaints from the Stafford camp.

Despite the moment of madness from Tola, Rangers created a number of chances to restore the two goal margin.

The unmarked Cockerline headed goalwards only for Hall to save to his left, then, minutes before the interval, Ash Fallon’s header put Cockerline clear but the strong wind took the ball away from him and the best he could manage was a toe poke that Hall saved.

Adisa Osayande was another who failed to take a chance that came his way.

The half came to an end with a chance for the visitors that was sent wide of the target by Sajjad Elhassan.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 2 Wythenshawe Town 1

A man down and facing the wind, Rangers were always going to be facing a battle to keep hold of their lead.

Wythenshawe, knowing defeat would virtually condemn them to relegation, took the game to Rangers.

Dominic Rouse headed wide at the back post, a curler from Elhassan drifted just wide and a cross from Demi Rhami was, somehow, missed by all and drifted across goal

The opportunities kept coming but Scott Moloney wasn’t really tested. The Rangers keeper did push away a free kick from Elhassan with Astley Mulholland blasting the loose ball high over.

In the closing stages, Callum Wilson blocked a back post volley from Adam Abbas while another chance for Kaylan Wilkinson was hacked away.

Almost 9 minutes of time were added on before the referee’s whistle sparked a roar of relief from the Stafford fans – and a bizarre reaction from Wythenshawe keeper Hall who was trying his best to get a reaction from the home crowd.

Rangers staff celebrate at the final whistle

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 2 Wythenshawe Town 1

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon (15 Ben Woods 82m), 4 Marsel Tola, 5 Adisa Osayande, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 Regan Riley (14 Ashley Fallon 31m), 8 Joe Thompson, 9 James O’Neill (16 Jack Birch 56m), 10 Dan Cockerline (12 Kaiman Anderson 64m), 11 Matthew Hearsey (17 Devarn Green 72m).

Wythenshawe Town: 1 Greg Hall, 2 Eoin Hogan (14 Kaylan Wilkinson 82m), 3 Daniel Dolling, 4 Domaine Rouse, 5 Charlie Martin (12 Demi Rhami 46m), 6 Jack Taylor, 7 Sajjad Elhassan, 8 Astley Mulholland, 9 Wealth Dasilva, 10 Kobe McWilliams, 11 Kris Smith (15 Adam Abbas 72m). Unused Subs: 16 Zeke Eme, 17 Jake Parsisson.

Referee: James Owen

Cautions: Thompson 35m, Anderson 78m, Fallon 90+8m (Stafford); Taylor 51m, McWilliams 90+5m (Wythenshawe)

Sent Off: Tola 27m (Stafford)

Goals:

Stafford: Hearsey 3m, Cockerline 11m
Wythenshawe: McWilliams 20m

Att: 1,014

Report by Chris Elsley

Interview: Graham Deakin

Match Highlights