Wythenshawe v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

A late goal saw Stafford Rangers beaten at Wythenshawe but, for the second week running, it was the performance of the referee that was the main talking point.

Match official Dan McDonald had a poor game and incensed the Stafford camp with a number of questionable decisions, notably sending off defender Michael McGrath on the half hour.

At the time Rangers were comfortably on top with a 1-0 lead given to them by John Atherton as early as the third minute.

The goal came from the back with a long ball from Cam Belford taken down by Dan Cockerline. The ball found its way to Atherton via Joe Morley and he slotted past Kyle Haslam to the delight of the travelling fans.

The Wythenshawe keeper was forced to come out of his area to prevent Cockerline from adding a second while further efforts from Atherton saw one deflected for a corner and a second saved by Haslam low to his right.

After Morley had headed wide, Kaiman Anderson did get the ball in the Wythenshawe net but play was pulled back for a Stafford free kick despite the referee initially playing an advantage.

The key moment came on 30 mins when McGrath challenged Darrhyl Mason – an act that McDonald deemed a red card offence. Mason had been clearly offside but play was allowed to continue.

With McGrath off, Rangers had to adopt a more defensive approach allowing Wythenshawe more time on the ball and this led to their first effort on goal but Ryan Tioffo went wide at the back post.

The referee should have levelled the numbers up when Michael Monaghan deliberately stood on Ashley Fallon but neither he nor his better placed assistant took any action.

It was a similar story after the interval – Cockerline was cautioned after being fouled by Fraser Goodwin and a wrestling match between Cam Belford and Mason went unnoticed.

Wythenshawe started to ask more questions of the Stafford defence who found themselves sitting deeper and Belford did well to turn over a well struck drive from Monaghan. Soon after, the Stafford keeper held on to a shot from Adam Owen.

The equaliser came on 79 minutes. Belford appeared to misjudge a 25 yard shot from Abdullahi Ahmed which found its way into the keeper’s top right corner.

Back on level terms and a man up, Wythenshawe looked the most likely winners and that goal came 8 minutes later when Michael Phenix somehow managed to beat Belford from a tight angle.

By that time, the home side had lost their numerical advantage as Arron Hevingham was sent off for a poor challenge on Morley.

Despite 11 minutes of time being added on at the end of the game, Rangers were left frustrated and beaten but not disgraced as they once again put in a display that will surely see them start to rise up the table before long.

Wythenshawe: 1 Kyle Haslam, 2 Alastair Brown (16 Jacques Etia 72m), 3 Ryan Tioffo (17 Ryan Shenton 85m), 4 Fraser Goodwin, 5 Luke Worth, 6 Arron Hevingham, 7 Michael Monaghan, 8 Cameron Annis-Wade (12 Adbullahi Ahmed 52m), 9 Darryhl Mason, 10 Michael Phenix (14 Benjamin Mail 90+1m), 11 Abiola Obasoto (15 Adam Owen 60m).

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon, 5 Michael McGrath, 6 Scott Wara, 7 John Atherton, 8 James McQuilkin, 9 Dan Cockerline (16 Aaron Opoku 71m), 10 Kaiman Anderson, 11 Joe Morley, Unused Subs 12 Sean Lawton, 14 Luca Whitney, 15 Sean Cooke, 17 Jacob Edwards

Cautions: Goodwin, Worth, Monaghan, Phenix (Wythenshawe), Fallon, Wara, Cockerline, Anderson (Rangers)

Sent Off: Hevingham (Wythenshawe) – McGrath (Stafford)

Referee: Daniel McDonald

Attendance: 468

Report by Chris Elsley