Warrington Rylands v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers picked up a satisfactory point from their trip to Warrington Rylands.

Manager Matt Hill kept faith with the XI that started in Saturday’s defeat at Marske with the addition of Ntumba Massanka to the substitute’s bench the only change.

Pre match rain added some extra zip to the playing surface and it was the home side who looked to take the advantage in the opening exchanges and saw Callum Dolan send a shot over.

Rangers soon settled and got their first opening when Tom Tonks intercepted a poor pass from James Neild. Kaiman Anderson eventually put the ball in the net but was flagged offside.

Ethan Stewart headed over from a Tonks throw as Stafford began to boss proceedings but the home side always posed a threat and Cam Belford needed two goes to keep out Kane Drummond.

Joe Kenton fired into the side netting after beating John Hunt to a Joe Willis pass but it was Warrington who broke the deadlock on the half hour when Jak McCourt picked out Drummond on the left. Belford got a hand to the shot but was unable to keep it out.

The goal gave the home side a boost and Dolan wasted an opportunity to extend the lead when he fired over after an exchange with Harry Pratt.

Ryan Brooke also missed out when well placed but the home side were dealt a blow when goal scorer Drummond’s night ended early due to injury.

Brooke could only find Belford following a corner as Warrington were first to show at the start of the second half.

Rangers also got a look in but Kaiman Anderson’s header was blocked by a crowded goalmouth.

Andy Burns got in a crucial tackle after just winning a race with Brooke – any misjudgement from the Stafford defender would surely have ended his night.

McCourt missed another chance for the home side before Hill made a double substitution with Massanka and Jaiden White adding an extra dimension to Stafford’s approach play.

Although neither were involved in the goal, Rangers were level within four minutes of the change.

Tonks launched the ball from the left touchline and Anderson rose to head home with 18 minutes remaining.

Both sides pressed for a winner but neither was able to find the vital goal.

Warrington created the clearer chances but  Dolan flashed one shot over then struck another that Belford clung on to.

The Stafford keeper turned away a shot from Rylands’ sub Niah Payne before Jaiden White almost capped a fine run with a goal but shot straight at Sam Tickle in the home goal.

Warrington: 1 Sam Tickle, 2 James Neild, 3 John Hunt, 4 Joshua Langley, 5 Sam Egerton, 6 Jak McCourt, 7 Callum Dolan, 8 Dean Furman, 9 Harry Pratt, 10 Ryan Brooke (14 Stephen Irwin 83m), 11 Kane Drummond (15 Niah Payne 38m). Unused Subs 12 Kayle Hayde, 16 Jordan Mustoe – only 4 subs named

Stafford: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya, 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis (16 Ntumba Massanka 68m), 11 Joe Kenton (14 Jaiden White 68m). Unused Subs 12 Nathan Caine, 13 Tyrell Belford, 15 Darius Smith

Referee: Alexander Beckett

Cautions: Langley (Warrington) Burns (Rangers)

Att: 287

Report by Chris Elsley