Stourbridge FC v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

The Rangers succumed to their first pre-season defeat, losing 1-0 to Stourbridge at the War Memorial Athletic Ground.

In a game which didn’t set the world on fire, Matt Hill’s side were unable to maintain their 100% winning start to the new season. Although the defeat means nothing in hindsight, and will only benefit all involved as Jake Moult made his first apperance since re-joining the club.

Alex Prosser scored the only goal in the game midway through the second half slamming it through Cameron Belford’s legs along the floor. The good finish just one of few on target with a quiet evening for both goalkeepers.

The game started lively as the two step three non-league sides battled it out. This fixture against the Southern Central Premier side Stafford’s toughest so far after wins against Stafford Town and more recently Eccleshall – both of the North West Counties League Division One South.

Belford held his first test easily early on before Tyreece Onyeka’s shot across goal ricocheted off the left post in the second minute. Then, Dexter Walters fired over for the home side a minute later prior to a Stourbridge free-kick leading to nothing.

Luke Benbow shot wide for Stourbridge in the 20th minute as the floodlights were flicked on at the half-hour mark. And, Ethan Stewart’s header was off-target from skipper Alex-Ray Harvey’s free-kick before Benbow saw his shot blocked by burns at close-range on stroke of half time.

The sides entered the break goaless after a close battle in the first half.

Joe Wills’ effort was held early on and Ethan Morgan saw his header saved easily by the Stourbridge keeper diving to his right. The home sides’ number 11 caused havoc with a header wide and shot blocked at close-range after good work cutting onto his left.

Nathan Blissett’s ball across goal found nobody as the Boro struggled to work a way through. The hour mark approached and on stepped Kaiman Anderson and Tom Tonks for his return to the side. However, their presence couldn’t prevent Prosser from powering it home with a great strike to give Stourbridge the lead. The midfielder looked for his second soon after with a long-range free-kick, and forced a good save from Belford diving to his right.

Tyreece onyeka brought out a save from the home side’s keeper with his shot across goal in the 72nd minute before Anderson dragged his effort well wide 12 minutes later.

Ben Woods’ late free-kick went into the wall before the corner that followed came to nothing, and that was it with Stourbridge taking the win.