Stalybridge Celtic — Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Manager Neil Kitching rung the changes again with six to the side beaten by Atherton Collieries. Three were enforced by due to injuries suffered by Zach Noble, Scott Wara and Dan Cockerline.

Kitching’s game plan was to frustrate Stalybridge but it was a plan that gave the home side plenty of possession and, with it, opportunity to shoot from distance.

Their first effort on goal came via Liam Tongue as early as the third minute when the home skipper fired just wide.

Rangers responded quickly with Joe Thomas going close as his shot was blocked by Jack Tinning.

Kitching’s tactic was working to a degree it was but not helped as his side gave away possession too easily.

But Rangers did create chances and good play from Kaiman Anderson allowed Thomas to put in a deep cross from the right but Logan Cousins’ volley high over.

At the other end, Celtic missed out when Ruben Jerome failed to attack a dangerous ball in from Mike Koral but the better chances fell to Rangers and Anderson probably should have put his side ahead on 35 mins when he broke through on the right but keeper Charlie Monks saved with his legs. Soon after, Jack Birch had a shot blocked on the line.

Stalybridge stepped up in the closing stages of the half. Arron Davies kept out a near post flick from Andy Scarisbrick then reacted well to save a close range effort from Jerome. A couple of minutes later, the Stalybridge forward was allowed to get in behind the defence but he headed wide.

Instead, it was Stafford who managed to get themselves ahead, a minute before the break.

Stalybridge half cleared a free kick from Birch but Max Leonard gifted possession to Jack Sherratt. He gave it back to Birch whose deep cross found Jadel Mushanhu and he had time to fire past Monks.

The first exchanges of the second half were evenly contested but Stalybridge hit Rangers with two goals in three minutes.

The equaliser came on 59 minutes via a well struck drive from Ellis Horan but Rangers’ disappointment will be how they failed to halt the attack down their left hand side.

The home side went ahead after a corner was not dealt with and the unmarked Aaron Chalmers beat Davies with a scuffed shot that went in off the post.

Rangers were given a boost when Stalybridge were reduced to 10 men on 76 minutes.

Anderson’s lay off allowed Thomas to surge forward but he was crudely brought down by Jack Tinning before he could reach the area. The Stalybridge man was sent off but he had done his bit as the free kick was put wide by Thomas.

Rangers pressed for the equaliser but a shot wide from sub James McQuilkin was as close as they got.

Stalybridge Celtic: 1 Charlie Monks, 2 Mike Koral, 3 Kyle Brownhill, 4 Aaron Chalmers, 5 Jordan Butterworth, 6 Jack Tinning, 7 Andy Scarisbrick, 8 Liam Tongue,  9 Ruben Jerome,  10 Max Leonard (12 Jack Byrne 78m), 11 Ellis Horan. Unused Subs 14 Sean Tse, 15 Greg Wilkinson, 16 Elliot Rokka, 17 Charlie Doyle

Stafford Rangers: 1 Arron Davies, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon (18 James McQuilkin 81m), 16 Jadel Mushanhu, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Joe Thomas (15 Che Ranger 88m), 8 Jack Sherratt, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Jack Birch, 11 Logan Cousins (12 Dylan Scott 72m). Unused Subs 14 Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi, 17 Mason Rees

Goals: Stalybridge Horan 59m, Chalmers 62m:

Stafford: Musanhu 44m

Referee: Lewis Atkinson 

Cautions: Monks 81m, Tongue 70m, Jerome 57m (Stalybridge) O’Hanlon 54m, Musanhu 12m (Stafford)

Sent Off: Tinning 76m (Stalybridge)

Att: 558

Report by Chris Elsley