STAFFORD RANGERS V SOUTH SHIELDS – MATCH REPORT
Nov 12, 2017

Stafford Rangers South Shields

Buildbase FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round  Saturday 11 November 2017

A hat trick from Massiah McDonald saw Stafford Rangers progress to the next round of the FA Trophy at the expense of South Shields.

The game sprung to life with two goals in quick succession in the opening ten minutes, one for each side.

Shields had already gone close through Gavin Cogdon who forced his way into the Stafford area before sending his shot rising over the bar. But Shields were soon in front through Robert Briggs who clipped the ball over Brad Caswell from a tight angle in the 7th minute.

Stafford’s response was immediate. Just a minute later, a cross field ball was played first time into the danger area by Kieren Westwood and Josh Craddock’s square ball was finished by Massiah McDonald to level the scores.

Having observed one minute silence for Remembrance Day before kick off, fans from both sides burst into applause on 10 mins as a tribute to 10 year old Shields fan Jak Fada who passed away during the week.

Mat Bailey went close for Stafford as Shields failed to clear Izak Reid’s free kick, but the Stafford captain saw his first shot blocked and his follow up saved by Shields’ keeper Liam Connell. At the other end, Carl Finnigan fired just wide from the edge of the area then Barrie Smith forced a good save from Caswell after the Stafford keeper had blocked from Michael Richardson and Cogdon had failed to connect with Richardson’s feed from the rebound.

Chances kept coming at both ends and Stafford’s Dan Westwood was next to try his luck, shooting wide on the turn.

In the final exchanges of the half, Shields  saw Briggs send a well struck volley over then Cogden fire wide of Caswell’s left hand post.

McDonald should have put Stafford ahead shortly after the restart sending a free header over.

An underhit back pass from Kieran Morris gave Finnigan an opening for Shields but he sent his shot over then Darren Lough’s back post header was blocked by Izak Reid as Shields kept up the pressure .Cogdon fired at Caswell but the tide began to turn Stafford’s way.

Bailey was denied again by Connell before Alex Fletcher sent the rebound over. Richard Batchelor headed inches wide then Connell made an outstanding save to deny Richard Gregory.

Julio Arca cleared off the line from Morris and Gregory went wide but the pressure finally paid off as McDonald fired Stafford in front on 78 mins following Kieren Westwood’s long ball down the left.

Batchelor nearly made it three with a well struck drive before Shields stepped up their search for an equaliser and Caswell made an excellent catch to deny Arca. Seconds later, Stafford were on the counter and Batchelor picked out McDonald to complete his hat trick on 83 mins.

Caswell and Morris respectively prevented Briggs and Cogdon from reducing the arrears for Shields as Stafford booked their place in the next round.

Rangers: 1 Brad Caswell, 2 Alex Fletcher, 3 Kieren Westwood, 4 Kieran Morris, 5 Mat Bailey, 6 Jordaan Brown, 7 Izak Reid, 8 Josh Craddock, 9 Dan Westwood (15 Richard Gregory 65m), 10 Massiah McDonald (12 Jack Sherratt 90+2m), 11 Richard Batchelor (14 Sam Griffiths 87m). Unused subs 16 Kai Davis, 17 Louis Briscoe

South Shields: 1 Liam Connell, 2 Craig Baxter, 3 Darren Lough (14 Alex  Nicholson 79m), 4 Jon Shaw, 5 Dillon Morse, 6 Julio Arca, 7 Barrie Smith (12 Louis Story 65m) , 8 Robert Briggs, 9 Gavin Cogden, 10 Carl Finnigan, 11 Michael Richardson (16 Jamie Holmes 59m). Unused subs 15 Andrew Stephenson, 20 Jack Norton

Cautions: Morris (Boro)

Referee: Rob Hathaway

Att: 955

Report: Chris Elsley

Next Match

(Sat)
3:00 pm
NPL Premier Division

Stafford Rangers v Workington AFC

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