FC United of Manchester 2 – 1 Stafford Rangers
Feb 20, 2020
Match Report
FC United of Manchester 2 – 1 Stafford Rangers
BetVictor Northern Premier League | Tuesday 18 February 2020 Report by Chris Elsley
Attendance | 1336
It was another case of what might have been for Stafford Rangers as they lost at in form FC United. After trailing at half time, Rangers deservedly got back on level terms ten minutes after the resumption only for Dan Burns to be sent off for clashing with the United keeper as his teammates celebrated. Rangers were without Joe Cuff who was unavailable while Josh Green was still suffering from the effects of a car accident last week. In came Matt Hill and Josh Burns as Rangers reverted to a back four while Lewis King replaced Jono Brown in goal. Jake Charles replaced Brad Grayson in the no 9 shirt while Jack Sherratt had to settle for a place on the bench. Rangers created the first real chance of the evening, but Josh Burns had his shot blocked. The home side immediately broke away and Tunde Owolabi shot over from just 15 yards inside the Rangers half after intercepting a poor clearance from King.
United took the lead on 11 minutes when Luke Griffiths fired in a free kick from around 30 yards out that deceived King. Rangers had a good chance to get back level a couple of minutes later but the trio of Berti Diau, Jaiden White and Josh Burns were unable to convert. Rangers kept pushing and Jake Charles saw his header saved by Cameron Belford’s feet after he had climbed high to reach a centre from Hill. The two sides traded chances as Chris Doyle headed wide for United when well-placed while Stafford’s Sam Coulson shot wide from around 30 yards out. Just after the half hour, Dan Burns picked up his first yellow card for an off the ball body check on Finlay Sinclair-Smith, but Rangers were still in contention at the end of the half. United’s Adam Dodd almost created a second goal for the home side soon after the resumption with a centre that went across the face of goal but lacked the necessary touch. Rangers’ lack of killer touch was again evident when Diau intercepted a poor pass from Matthew Elsdon, but Charles had his shot blocked and Diau lingered too long allowing Dodd to clear the immediate danger. But, on 55 minutes, they finally found the mark. Tom Thorley’s inswinging free kick from the left was knocked back across by Charles and Jon Moran hammered home from close range. But the celebrations were soon dampened when the referee showed Dan Burns a second yellow card for throwing the ball at Belford. Ten man Rangers defended their lines well with United restricted to shots from distance for around 20 minutes but, gradually, they pushed Rangers back deeper and deeper. Aaron Morris saw his header skim the top of the cross bar but United regained their lead on 79 minutes when Dodd’s deep ball found Morgan Homson-Smith and the substitute cut back inside Hill before firing past King. Although Rangers kept looking for a second equaliser, it was United who came closest to adding to the scoring with Josh Burns clearing off the line with Homson-Smith ready to pounce while Owolabi somehow shot wide with the goal at his mercy. Referee: Mark Ryder Cautions: Dan Burns x 2 (sent off)
FC United: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Aaron Morris, 3 Adam Dodd, 4 Luke Griffiths, 5 Chris Doyle, 6 Matthew Elsdon, 7 Kyle Hawley (12 Paul Ennis 54m), 8 Mike Potts, 9 Tunde Owolabi, 10 Michael Donohue (14 Jack Leneham 46m), 11 Finlay Sinclair-Smith (16 Morgan Homson-Smith 63m). Unused Subs: 15 Ben Kerr, 17 Mason Walker (gk)
Stafford Rangers: 1 Lewis King, 2 Josh Burns, 3 Matt Hill (16 Brad Grayson 81m), 4 Jon Moran, 5 Dan Burns, 6 Alex-Ray Harvey, 7 Jaiden White, 8 Sam Coulson, 9 Jake Charles (14 Jazz Luckie 86m), 10 Brandon Diau, 11 Tom Thorley (15 Jack Sherratt 79m). Unused Subs: 12 Paul Bignot, 17 Jono Brown (gk)

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