Stalybridge Celtic v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers won on the road for the first time since 5 November as they saw off the challenge of Stalybridge Celtic in the NPL equivalent of Glasgow’s Old Firm derby.

Rangers were unchanged for the third consecutive game but there was a new face on the bench in the form of Nathan Blissett, a 6′ 5″ striker signed following his release by Telford United.

In a positive start, Stafford saw Andy Burns shoot high over the bar following Tom Tonks’ long throw.

Those throws caused the home side problems all afternoon and it was from another trademark launch into the Celtic area that resulted in Stafford taking the lead in the 5th minute – Joe Kenton got the final touch after a scramble in the box.

Soon after, Kaiman Anderson had a shot blocked as Stafford looked to extend their lead.

Rangers continued to have the better of things and the game was approaching the 15 minute mark before keeper Cameron Belford got his first touch of the ball as he comfortably collected a shot from Harry Benns.

Celtic started to pose more of a threat on the Stafford goal and Godwin Abadaki beat two defenders but failed to generate enough curl on his shot to trouble Belford.

A couple of minutes later, Abadaki – brother of former Stafford player Osebi – fired over after an exchange with Ciaran Summers.

The two teams traded chances as Kenton shot over while it needed all of Ethan Stewart’s height to block the threat of DJ Pedro’s shot.

Play continued to switch ends and, before the half time whistle, Stafford’s Jack Baxter missed the target by some distance while, at the other end, Benns fired over.

Early in the second half, Benns found the side netting after cutting in from the left..

Benns was one of three former Stafford players in the home line up with Theo Bailey-Jones and Dan Burns also up against their old club. The latter was making his debut after joining up with Celtic earlier in the week.

The trio were unable to get one over on their old club and it was Rangers who were to add to the scoring on 63 minutes.

Confusion in the Stalybridge back line allowed Anderson in but home keeper Greg Hall hauled him to the ground before he could get in a shot. Tonks put away the penalty – his third successful penalty in as many matches.

After Stewart had gone close with a header, Anderson should have added a third when a poor back pass from Burns fell short of Hall but the Stafford no 9 delayed his shot and allowed the home keeper the opportunity to grab the ball.

Tonks also went close with a shot that swung a foot wide after some good approach play involving Burns and Tyreece Onyeka.

Stalybridge went close to pulling one back with an overhead kick that Belford did well to keep out before a brave header from Burns cleared the danger.

Belford was in action again a minute later to hold on to a header from Tom Miller and the Stalybridge challenge came to harmless end as Rangers recorded back to back wins in the league for the first time since August.

Stalybridge: 1 Greg Hall, 2 Ciaran Summers (17 Alfie Henderson 70m), 3 Luke Barlow, 4 Kyle Harrison, 5 Danny Burns, 6 Tom Miller, 7 Theo Bailey-Jones (16 Ben Richardson 70m), 8 Godwin Abadaki, 9 DJ Pedro, 10 Chris Dagnall, 11 Harry Benns (12 Raul Corriea 56m). Unused Subs 14 Ethan Padden, 15 Dahrius Waldron.

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Alex-Ray Harvey, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 James O’Neill, 7 Joe Kenton (12 Tyreece Onyeka 70m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson (15 Nathan Blissett 90m), 10 Joe Willis, 11 Jack Baxter (16 Ethan Morgan 85m). Unused subs 14 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 17 Callum Saunders

Referee: Matthew Bacon

Cautions: Pedro (Stalybridge)

Att : 563

Report by Chris Elsley