Stafford Rangers v Sutton Coldfield Town
Stafford Rangers suffered the fourth defeat of their pre-season campaign but it was a closely fought encounter against fellow step 4 side Sutton Coldfield Town.
Rangers had an early half chance with a Jimmy O’Neill header but the visitors had a much better opportunity just a couple of minutes later only for Luke McGinnell to see his shot well saved by Jack Sandel.
Reece Gibson headed over for the visitors before one of the Stafford trialists placed a shot wide of the visitors’ goal.
Another effort for Sutton Coldfield was put wide then Sandel saved from Jack Lynch before making another good save to keep out McGinnell’s header just before half time.
Chances continued to come in the second half as Joe Morley was denied by the visiting keeper and Sandel made an excellent double save following a deflection off a Stafford defender and the follow up from Gibson.
The only goal came on 65 minutes when the ball was played into the near post and Gibson got in ahead of O’Neill to squeeze the ball home.
Stafford’s best opportunity for an equaliser came soon after when Aaron Opoku worked hard to create an opening only to see the Sutton keeper make a good save.
Multiple Stafford substitutions enabled the visitors to take control and only further saves from Sandel prevented Sutton from adding to the score.
Although it was another defeat, the were improved signs from Rangers and two trialists up front caught the eye.
Whitchurch Alport
Brocton FC v Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers suffered another set back in their pre-season programme as they were well beaten by Brocton.
The Badgers took less than two minutes to move ahead. A mix up in the Stafford defence followed long ball from Tony Allsop and Will Whieldon was left with a simple tap in.
Whieldon went close to a second shortly after before Rangers had their first look in – Joe Morley’s header going just over.
As the half hour ticked over, Aaron Opoku tried a spectacular overhead kick which struck the Brocton cross bar.
But it was Brocton who were to add to the scoring when Whieldon’s free kick was met by the head of the diving Ben Haddaway to beat Jack Sandel.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Morley went close again for Stafford but he fired wide.
Brocton were the liveliest at the start of the second half as Lucas Green-Birch saw his shot graze the top of the Stafford bar but Whieldon made it 3-0 when he had time to pick his spot – choosing the top right hand corner.
Lewis Porter and one of the Stafford trialists both missed chances to put their team on the scoresheet before Morgan Payne made it 4-0 in the 80th minute as he converted a low cross from Charlie King.
Stafford Rangers v Crewe Alexandra
Rangers came face to face with a strong Crewe Alex squad for their first home outing of the pre-season.
The Alex, beaten in last season’s League Two Play Off final, fielded two separate XIs in each half with a blend of first team and trial players and they proved too strong for Rangers winning 4-1.
Rangers fielded two triallists in the first half – both had featured in the win at Telford Town on Saturday – but otherwise it was a side that was not far off the strongest available to manager Dave Cooke.
After Joe Morley had forced a save from the Crewe keeper early on, the visitors were always in control of the game and Cam Belford was kept busy making saves from Max Sanders and Kane Hemmings.
Hemmings was involved in the build up to the Crewe opener on 17 minutes as Jack Lankester scored at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked.
Belford saved from Lewis Billington while the triallist in the Crewe goal did likewise to keep out Dan Cockerline.
It was Billington who doubled Crewe’s lead on 23 minutes with a simple finish after some good play on the right involving Sanders.
The all changed Crewe XI took less than a minute to impress at the start of the second half. Owen Lunt claimed the assist as Conor Thomas was left in space to make it 3-0.
Two minutes later, Cockerline pulled one back for Rangers as he poked the ball between the legs of Tom Booth but Shilow Tracey restored the three goal margin on 55 mins after linking with Fin Roberts.
Rangers made numerous substitutions in the final half hour which broke the flow of the game. The nearest either side came to adding to the scoring was when Omar Bogle hit the post.
Rangers were well beaten but it was still a good work out for them and they produced some good play but ultimately Crewe were too classy.
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