Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Tuesday 14 November 2017
Stafford Rangers crashed back down to earth with a mighty bump after suffering a heavy home defeat against bogey side Rushall Olympic.
Just three days after knocking up and coming side South Shields out of the FA Trophy, Rangers found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline that saw the Pics extend their league record against Rangers to seven wins and two draws with the Boro still searching for their first win over the Walsall based side.
Rangers made just one change to the starting line up with Richard Gregory returning with Dan Westwood replacing him on the bench.
The game was a slow starter with Rushall asking most of the early questions without really looking like causing too much damage although Jordaan Brown had to be alert to prevent Richard Brodie advancing on goal after Brad Caswell’s clearance failed to reach the half way line.
Rangers gradually came more into it and, in doing so, brought some life into the game though clear cut chances at wither end were still at a premium.
The Boro almost snatched a breakthrough either side of the half hour mark. Firstly, Alex Fletcher’s shot deflected off team mate Richard Gregory to wrong foot Rushall keeper Jahquil Hill but the ball rolled the wrong side of the post, then Saturday’s hat trick hero Massiah McDonald saw his shot cleared off the line by Joe Hull.
But as Rangers looked to take command, it was Rushall who struck the opening goal on 34 mins. Danny Waldren and Mohammed Hakeen exchanged passes on the left and Waldren cut inside before firing past Caswell from around the edge of the D.
Despite being a goal down at the break, Rangers were still very much in the contest and Gregory came close to levelling matters shortly after the restart but he dragged his shot wide after bringing down a deep centre from Kieran Morris.
Rushall, on the other hand, were far more clinical with the chances that came their way and extended their lead on 52 mins when Mathis Fonovich beat Caswell from 20 yards out, squeezing his shot just inside the keeper’s left hand post.
An error from Brown let in Rushall once more as Richard Brodie hooked the ball forward for Waldren to run on to but Caswell raced out of his area to clear the lines but a similar attack on the hour – this time launched by Sam Whittall – saw Caswell bring down Waldren and Brodie netted Rushall’s third from the penalty spot.
The was still some hope for the Boro and they may have been able to stage a fight back had subs Jack Sherratt and Dan Westwood – with his first touch – been able to profit from chances that came their way but Rushall wrapped things up on 75 mins with another counter attack, Jordan Sangha sending Waldren away to slot home his side’s fourth, completing a miserable night for the Boro.
Rangers: 1 Brad Caswell, 2 Alex Fletcher, 3 Kieren Westwood, 4 Kieran Morris, 5 Mat Bailey (16 Kai Davis 72m), 6 Jordaan Brown, 7 Izak Reid, 8 Josh Craddock (12 Jack Sherratt 62m), 9 Richard Gregory (15 Dan Westwood 74m), 10 Massiah McDonald, 11 Richard Batchelor. Unused subs 14 Sam Griffiths, 17 Louis Briscoe
Rushall: 1 Jahquil Hill, 2 Charlie Duke (12 AJ Adelekan 78m), 3 Jordan Liburd, 4 Sam Whittall, 5 Joe Hull, 6 Ollie Marx, 7 Danny Waldren, 8 Milan Butterfield, 9 Richard Brodie (14 Tyler Blake 82m), 10 Mathis Fonovich (16 Jordan Sangha 63m), 11 Mohammed Hakeen. Unused Subs 13 Jordan Brown, 15 Andre Landell
Cautions: Morris, Craddock, Caswell (Boro), Liburd, Fonovich (Rushall)
Referee: Simon Brown
Att: 406
Report: Chris Elsley
