Newtown AFC
Stafford Rangers v Chasetown FC
Stafford Rangers ended their pre-season programme with a disappointing defeat at home to Chasetown.
It was not far off a full strength side that started the game for Rangers but by half time, they found themselves two goals in arrears – both scored by former Stafford man Jack Edwards. With 10 new faces introduced for the second half – many of them triallists – the final outcome wasn’t in much doubt and it was Chasetown who added to their first half tally when Luke Yates scored a third with 9 minutes remaining.
Rangers played the better football in the opening stages with Theo Bailey-Jones and Tom Tonks forcing saves from Curtis Pond but the visitors damped Stafford’s early enthusiasm when Edwards put Chasetown in front in the 10th minute with a 22 yard free kick that beat Cameron Belford via the underside of the cross bar.
Bailey-Jones and Tonks missed out on chances to level the scores but a dreadful piece of defending involving Joe Dunne and keeper Belford allowed Edwards to double the Scholars’ lead on 21 minutes.
The two Stafford players left each other to deal with a long ball from Ryan Wynter. Edwards took advantage as he nipped in between them and gave himself an easy finish.
One of the positives of the afternoon was the performance of Jaiden White who showed some neat touches and frequently beat his man on the left.
The wholesale changes – only Academy product Taylor Draper played all 90 minutes – meant the second half was a flat affair. A couple of the trial players who had featured in previous games showed flashes of promise without reward but Chasetown sat comfortably on their lead.
Yates added his side’s third late on when he was allowed to convert Corey Burke’s near post centre.
Stafford Rangers:
First Half: Cameron Belford, Andy Burns, Joe Dunne, Jack Baxter, Taylor Draper, Luis Morrison, Theo Bailey-Jones, Tom Tonks, Kaiman Anderson, Joe Willis, Jaiden White
Second Half: Triallist A, Triallist B, Triallist C, Will Holt, Taylor Draper, Joe Kenton, Triallist D, Triallist E, Ryan-jAy Malbon, Triallist F, Triallist G
Chasetown: Curtis Pond (Callum Hayward 81m)Luke McGinnell (Jakob Burroughs 46m), Jordan Evans (Zak Foster 56m), Tom Unwin (Kris Taylor 56m), Ryan Wynter (Luke Cox 46m), Olli Hayward, Jack Edwards (Jordan Evans 82m), Mitch Botfield, John Letfold (Corey Burke 56m), Luke Yates, Ben Lund (Liam Kirton 56m)
Att 289
Report Chris Elsley
Stafford Rangers v Hednesford Town
Stafford Rangers picked up a moral boosting victory over their close rivals after the reverse fixture nine days earlier had ended in favour of The Pitmen.
Rangers have not been too prolific in front of goal during their pre-season campaign – this was an area where many placed the blame for their failure to reach the play offs last season – but they wasted no time in finding a way through the Hednesford defence.
There were just six minutes played when Tom Tonks’ ball back into the Hednesford area took a deflection off a visiting defender and Kaiman Anderson reacted quickest to stab the ball past Lewis Gwilliams.
Claims for a Hednesford penalty just before the half hour mark received no support from the man who mattered – referee Ben Stott – before Cam Belford was called into action to tip away a shot from Andre Landell.
Rangers were the better organised of the two sides with Hednesford not giving their fans much to cheer. The experience of Leroy Lita in their attack failed to flourish as the home defence did a better job of containing him than on the last showing.
It was still very much Rangers after the interval. Jaiden White, back ijn action after picking up an injury at Coleshill, hit the side netting following a cross from Andy Burns then a long range effort from Tonks was well saved by Gwilliams.
Rangers had a number of corners and it was from a Jack Baxter flag kick that the deserved second goal eventually came on 70 minutes as Ethan Stewart climbed highest to head home from Jack Baxter’s ball in from the right.
The two sides exchanged further chances without adding further to the scoring. For Hednesford, Riley O’Sullivan was denied by Belford while one of the Boro’s triallist players sent an effort high over the Social Club roof.
Stafford Rangers: Cameron Belford, Andy Burns, Joe Dunne, Jack Baxter, Ethan Stewart, Luis Morrison, Theo Bailey-Jones (Triallist B 67m), Tom Tonks, Kaiman Anderson (Triallist C 83m), Joe Willis, Trialist A (Jaiden White 57m)
Hednesford Town: Lewis Gwilliams (Rhys Willias 70m), Lewis Hayden (Chay Tilt 59m), Harvey Portman Carter Lycett 59m), Martin Riley, Lewis Ison, Luke Rowe, Riley O’Sullivan, Todd Parker, Leroy Lita, Cameron Ebbutt (Numair Rashad 70m), Andre Landell (Harry Manton 59m). Unused Subs: Romehl Seraton, Trialist, Joe Morley
Ref Ben Stott
Att 463
Hanley Town v Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers were on the end of a heavy beating by big spending Hanley Town in their latest pre-season fixture.
Although the scoreline will not be what Rangers wanted, defeat wasn’t totally unexpected after manager Matt Hill announced that he would be fielding a side with a number of triallists. Hanley, meanwhile, fielded a side packed with experience, including Carl Dickinson, Louis Dodds and Danny Glover.
The hosts dictated play from the early stages and Glover forced a save from Cameron Belford who then denied Reece Jones.
Glover put Hanley ahead in the 13th minute after a bit of luck helped him bring Chris Dagnall’s long ball under control and take it past Belford.
One of Rangers’ more familiar faces – Joe Kenton – had his evening cut short when he twisted his knee after being fouled by Charlie Walford.
Rangers created a smattering of first half chances for their triallist players – the no 11 fired over after being set up by Jack Baxter while the best came from the no 9 who forced his way through the Hanley defence only to see his shot come back off the post.
Rangers started the second half well with players switching positions but a howler at the back from the no 5 gifted Hanley their second goal on 51 minutes – Dodds converting after the defender had failed to cut out a long ball.
Chris Dagnall made it 3-0 on 59 minutes before Dodds added a fourth when the Stafford no 5 was again at fault having failed to stop the former Port Vale man.
Hanley had chances to score again before Glover wrapped things up at the second attempt in the 87th minute.
It was a night where Hill will have made more decisions about players who will not feature further in his plans rather than potential signings.
Hanley Town: 1 Kieran Harrison, Rhys Thompson, Charlie Walford, Jake Twyford, Jayden Cottrell, Carl Dickinson, Reece Jones, Chris Dagnall, Danny Glover, Louis Dodds, James Lawrie (Ryan Campbell-Gordon 66m).
Rangers: Cameron Belford, Andy Burns (Taylor Draper 73m), Triallist A, Jack Baxter (Theo Bailey-Jones 73m), Triallist B, Ben Forrest, Joe Kenton (17 Ryan-Jay Malbon 26m), Triallist C, Triallist D (Triallist F 46m), Joe Willis (Will Holt 81m), Triallist E
Report: Chris Elsley
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