Warrington Town v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

It was a familiar story for Stafford Rangers whose struggles in front of goal condemned them to a fifth consecutive defeat on the road.

There was little to choose between Rangers and a Warrington side who once again appear to be heading for the end of season play offs – in fact Rangers were arguably playing the better football until Stefan Mols put the home side ahead just before the hour mark.

From then on, it was the home side who looked the stronger and a second goal with just under 20 minutes remaining saw them to victory.

Matt Hill went with the same XI that started in last week’s win against Marske but they were unable to build on their solitary success of 2023.

Warrington were first to show as Sean Williams picked out Josh Amis with a free kick but Joe Dunne blocked Jordan Buckley on the line.

Rangers responded immediately forcing home keeper Tony Thompson off his line to clear the danger from Kaiman Anderson.

After Mols had struck a free kick straight at Cam Belford, Rangers missed out at the opposite end when the trio of Ethan Stewart, Joe Kenton and Jimmy O’Neill all had chances blocked in a scramble following Tom Tonks’ throw.

Amis had a couple of opportunities that came his way but failed to test Belford while Buckley also produced a tame effort that was easily gathered up by the Stafford keeper.

Warrington’s opener on 58 mins came with a slice of luck.

Bohan Dixon outfoxed Tonks on the Warrington left and squared for the oncoming Mols who appeared to slice his shot and it swung away from Belford and in via the underside of the bar.

The goal gave Warrington the boost they needed and they began to enjoy some freedom in midfield with Dixon finding more space.

The home side added their second on 72 minutes from a corner. Jay Harris put the ball back into the danger area where Hannigan, on the ground following the initial skirmish, fired home.

Belford prevented Isaac Buckley-Ricketts from adding a third, saving with his legs after the Warrington sub broke through.

Warrington had to play out the final 10 minutes a man down after Harris picked up a second yellow card for a trip on Stafford debutant Tyreece Onyeka. His first had come when confronting the referee after the half time whistle.

Tonks put the resultant free kick wide and any lingering hopes of a comeback vanished as Stewart saw his late header hit the bar and Thompson punch away the rebound.

Warrington Town: 1 Tony Thompson, 2 Mitch Duggan, 3 Andy White, 4 Tom Hannigan, 5 Evan Gumbs, 6 Jay Harris, 7 Jordan Buckley (12 Isaac Buckley-Ricketts 68m), 8 Sean Williams (15 Declan Walker 90+2m), 9 Josh Amis, 10 Bohan Dixon, 11 Stefan Mols (16 Matty Mcdonald 79m). Unused Sub 14 Luke Duffy – only four subs named

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Joe Kenton (17 Tyreece Onyeka 79m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson (15 Callum Saunders 62m), 10 Alex-Ray Harvey, 11 Ethan Morgan (16 Alex Kiwomya 57m). Unused subs 12 Joe Willis, 14 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire

Referee: Mark Reeves

Cautions: Thompson, Williams (Warrington) Burns (Stafford)

Sent Off: Harris (Warrington) – 2 cautions

Att: 576

Report by Chris Elsley