First half
Stalybridge started the better and they were able to get the ball down and play which caused Rangers quite a few problems. Rangers found it very difficult to get up the pitch and never really got going on a damp Saturday afternoon. It didn’t take Stalybridge long to break the deadlock in the 34th minute they made it 1-0 after a cross down the left found its way to Marcus Dackers. Stalybridge were in full control of the first half – Rangers never looked like troubling the home side 1-0 at the break.
Second Half
In truth things didn’t get any better for Rangers in the second half. They failed to pick up second balls and their number 9 Jake Charles was left isolated up front on his own. Stalybridge were much better in every department. In the 61st minute the home side doubled their lead from a free kick which ran through to Marcus Dackers where he was given far too much time and space and he punished Rangers by making the score line 2-0. Rangers did push forward in the final few minutes and were rewarded with a consolation goal in the 90th minute from Luca Navarro. The damage was unfortunately already done for Rangers and the game ended 2-1.
Teams
Stalybridge Celtic: Isherwood, Nyupembe, Smith-Brown, Wedgbury, O’Grady, Quansah, Fitzmartin, Harris, Dackers, Doyle, Johnson.
Stafford Rangers: Pilling, Burns, Endall, Alex-Ray Harvey, Moran, O’Neil, Kenton, Tonks, Charles, Fletcher, Woods.
Report completed by Luke Buckley