Trafford v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers left it late before securing a vital win in their battle against relegation from the NPL Division One West.

Trafford took an early lead before Rangers levelled the scores through Joe Thomas before Jimmy O’Neill fired home a 90th minute winner.

There were three changes to the side beaten by Chasetown a week earlier. Ackeme Francis-Burrell was suspended while Joe Morley and John Atherton dropped to the substitutes bench, along side newcomers Mason Rees and Zac Scott.

But it was a slow start from Rangers and, as with their visit to Vauxhall Motors a couple of weeks earlier, they conceded from a set piece as Cian Donohue unchallenged as he headed in a centre from Brad Byrne following a 6th minute corner.

Dan Cockerline had Stafford’s first effort on goal just before the half hour mark when he won the battle to get on the end of James McQuilkin’s corner but his header lacked power and was an easy take for Ollie Culkin in the Trafford goal. Culkin was a late replacement for Sam Booth and Trafford’s pre-match plans were further hit by an injury to Toba Obitayo in the warm up.

Trafford went close to a second after some good play from the impressive Rio Clegg. Good footwork enabled him to get away from three Stafford players. His shot deflected off Ben O’Hanlon but Stafford keeper Leon Phillips was alert and flicked the ball away for a corner.

Stafford began to establish a foothold in the game and created another opportunity with Liam Brazier’s deep centre but Kaiman Anderson’s header went the wrong side of the keeper’s right hand post.

Trafford missed a couple of good openings early in the second half as Hilal Khan sent a free kick over the bar and Ryley Smith shot wide after being played in by Clegg.

But Stafford were getting stronger and Thomas levelled the scores on 67 minutes when his deep cross from the right found its way in via the inside of the far post.

From then on, Rangers looked the most likely victors. Anderson did well to get in a shot on the turn but couldn’t beat Culkin then Rees – on for Thomas – rattled the Trafford cross bar with a good strike from 20 yards out.

As the clock moved into added time, O’Neill struck the all important winner. He got his head to McQuilkin’s corner but the ball came back off a Trafford defender. His left footed follow up also came back but, at the third time of asking, O’Neill’s less favoured right foot proved effective as his shot beat Culkin’s dive.

The result takes Rangers to a season high 13th but, more importantly, opens up a 7 point gap on Kidsgrove Athletic who currently sit in the fourth relegation spot.

Trafford: 1 Ollie Culkin, 2 Sean Higgins (14 Matty Lusakueno 83m), 3 Ryley Smith (12 Jack Higginbottom 77m), 17 Jordan Fagbola, 5 Harry Norris, 6 Brad Byrne, 7 Cian Donohue (16 Taylor Dyson 77m), 8 Hilal Khan (15 George Unsworth 77m), 9 Kevin Spinelli, 10 Jerome Wright, 11 Rio Clegg. Unused Subs – none

Stafford Rangers: 1 Leon Phillips, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 James McQuilkin, 5 Michael McGrath, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Liam Brazier (16 John Atherton 85m), 8 Ashley Fallon, 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Joe Thomas (12 Mason Rees 71m), 11 Kaiman Anderson. Unused Subs 14 Max Barlow, 15 Joe Morley, 17 Zac Scutt
Referee: Jacob Viera

Cautions: Donohue, Wright, Higginbottom (Trafford) McGrath, Fallon, Atherton (Stafford)

Attendance: 654

Report by Chris Elsley