Witton Albion — Stafford Rangers

REPORT

The Stafford boss made just one change to the side that beat Darlaston with Jack Sherratt coming in for Osaze Okuonghae who had returned to Rushall.

After Witton had shaded the opening exchanges, Rangers responded to produce an even contest but neither side provided much of a threat on goal.

That changed on 19 minutes when Rangers broke the deadlock through John Atherton. Play had switched quickly from end to end, firstly as Witton counter attacked from a Stafford corner.

This was well cut out by Andy Burns who picked out Kaiman Anderson on the half way line. Good play from Anderson enabled him to send Atherton clear to fire past Cameron Terry.

Witton almost levelled a minute later when the dangerous Joe Edwards cut inside Callum Wilson but struck the cross bar with his curling shot from around 20 yards out.

Anderson missed a chance to double the lead when he fired over following a poor defensive header from Geffry Ebhote while chances for Witton also went begging with Wilson half blocking a shot from Edwards and Ebhote volleying over following Scott Moloney’s punch clear.

Half Time: Witton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 1

Rangers extended their lead within two minutes of the start of the second half when Ebhote fired into the roof of his own net as he attempted to cut out a low cross from Anderson.

A third goal followed on 56 minutes when Jack Birch converted another penalty in clinical fashion after Matt Hearsey had been fouled by Ebhote.
It was not yet game over and Witton’s Joe Duckworth was given space for a free header but it lacked the power to beat Moloney.

The Stafford keeper was beaten on 62 minutes when a deep centre from Tom Hoyle found its way in at the far post. The Witton sub had only been on the pitch a minute and came close again soon after when he forced a save from Moloney.

But Rangers defended resolutely to protect their goal. Deakin introduced Jimmy O’Neill to bolster the back line with Dan Cockerline the lone man up front and it was a policy that worked.

Cockerline’s ability to hold the ball allowed the likes of Joe Thomas and James McQuilkin to get up in support.

It was the latter who had the best chance to add to score when he cut out an ineffective clearance from Terry but his effort, struck from from a couple of yards inside the Witton half, went wide of the vacant goal.

Full Time: Witton Albion 1 Stafford Rangers 3

Witton Albion: 1 Cameron Terry, 2 Jack Walls, 3 Damola Sotona (14 Ben Lowe 74m), 4 Jacob Hamman (15 Aaron Fleming 57m), 5 Geffry Ebhote, 6 Ben Dufton-Kelly, 7 Joe Edwards, 8 Alfie Bairstow, 9 Joe Duckworth (16 Tom Hoyle 61m), 10 Freddy Garbutt, 11 Deji Sotona. Unused Subs 12 Harry Brazel, 17 Adam Bott

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon, 5 Harry Flowers, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 John Atherton (14 James O’Neill 79m), 8 Jack Sherratt (16 James McQuilkin 57m), 9 Kaiman Anderson (12 Dan Cockerline 61m), 10 Jack Birch (15 Dylan Scott 90+1m), 11 Matthew Hearsey (17 Joe Thomas 67m).

Goals:

Witton: Hoyle 62m
Stafford: Atherton 19m, Ebhote og 47m, Birch pen 56m

Referee: James Garsrud

Cautions: Hoyle 67m, Bairstow 85m, Deji Sotona 90+4m (Witton); Flowers 53m, O’Hanlon 88m (Stafford)

Att: 379

Report by Chris Elsley

Graham Deakin Interview