Stafford Rangers — Clitheroe

Apr 18, 2026

Knowing a victory could confirm survival, dependent on Sporting Khalsa and Congleton Town’s results, Graham Deakin named an unchanged side from the eleven who beat Lower Breck last Saturday, and with a bumper crowd in attendance again, the home side were required to start on the front foot.
The first chance though fell to the visitors in the 3rd minute following a foul by Jimmy O’Neill which resulted in Scott Moloney punching out a dangerously whipped free-kick by Ross Dent.

Moments later, the breakthrough arrived and it fell to Stafford. O’Neill found himself with time on the left hand side to send a cross into the box which found the onrushing Jack Birch, and he sent his shot past Zachariah Hadi and into the back of the net to give the home side an early lead with just five minutes gone on the clock.

Birch (grounded) opens the scoring against Clitheroe

However, before any chickens could be formally counted, the Rangers’ fans were brought back down to earth just three minutes later when Sekouba Sanogo found himself inside the box on the right hand side. He lifted the ball into the area where Joshua Briggs met the ball with a downward header that bounced into the ground before looping over the scrambling Moloney and into the net to quickly restore parity.

Rangers almost found themselves back in front in the 11th minute when John Atherton raced into the box, but his heavy touch allowed Clitheroe to get bodies around the ball, which eventually fell to Ash Fallon who fired at goal from six yards out, however Hadi was equal to it, diverting the ball over the crossbar.

As the game started to settle down, Rangers continued to have the better chances of a well-contested game, Joe Thompson coming closest to scoring in the 24th minute when he connected with an O’Neill throw-in, however his header went agonisingly wide of Hadi’s far post and to safety.

With a notably tense feeling around the ground, and the game heading to half time, there was still time for more incident, with the visitors going down to ten men following a rash challenge by Dent, who went through Fallon right in front of the home dugout, with all but three Clitheroe players getting involved in a melee which resulted in referee Daniel McDonald giving the Clitheroe captain his marching orders minutes before the break.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 1 Clitheroe 1

With a man advantage, Deakin turned to his bench to introduce Dylan Scott, who replaced John Atherton for the second half, however Clitheroe settled back into the game quickly despite the shortage in numbers.

Attacking the Shed End, Stafford started to find opportunities, first in the 52nd minute, with Matt Hearsey sending his shot wide of the target, and then a minute later, Fallon lashed a shot into the side netting of the visitors goal.

Clitheroe put pressure on the home goal with a succession of corners, with home captain Andy Burns literally throwing his body everywhere to keep the visitors at bay, and then in the 66th minute, with Moloney beaten by a cross from Jake Carroll, Ben O’Hanlon found himself in his six yard box where his diving header almost sent the ball into the back of his own net, having the crossbar to thank and save any embarrassment to keep the scoreline level.

Andy Burns repels a Clitheroe attack

Regan Riley was introduced in the 68th minute, replacing the tireless Joe Thompson, and he was to be involved moments later as the home side looked to find the winning goal. It was fellow substitute Scott, who excellently controlled a ball over the top, before combining with Riley and then Hearsey who found himself in dangerous territory to the left of goal.

Matt Hearsey attacks down the left

He perfectly teed up that man Birch, who stroked the ball into the back of net yet again to score his 17th goal of the season, and sending the Stafford fans into raptures, with the lead once again regained.

Birch scoring the winner

A jubilant Jack Birch runs away to celebrate the winner

The drama was far from over though, first the home physio was cautioned in the 76th minute for delaying the restart of play, taking a shove from Carroll in the process, due to not returning the ball to the away side. Eight minutes later. Scott almost secured the victory when Birch found him in the area and he sent a shot inches wide, swerving just past Hadi’s post.

With two minutes left Deakin once again turned to his bench with Harry Flowers introduced to reinforce the backline, however his return lasted just ninety seconds when lining up to defend a free-kick he found himself in an altercation with visiting defender Baba Fernandes, and McDonald once again brandished his red card, and restoring the level playing field for the six minutes of added time which were to follow.

Those six minutes were to feel like sixty for the home fans, and you could have been fooled into thinking it was the visitors who were desperate for the points, sending every player including goalkeeper Hadi up for two set-pieces which came to nothing.

McDonald eventually brought the play to an end which resulted in jubilation from the home crowd with many fans entering the field of play, and home players lay out on the ground after an exhausting afternoon which still had time to spark back into life, when Fernandes reacted extremely angrily to something that happened, and McDonald showed the Clitheroe player successive yellow cards, and a red, meaning the visitors end the afternoon with nine men.

Players celebrate with fans in front of the Shed End after the final whistle

With results elsewhere going Rangers way, it means they secure survival before the final league game of the season at Vauxhall Motors next Saturday..

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 2 Clitheroe 1

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon (15 Regan Riley 90m), 5 Adisa Osayande, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 John Atherton (16 Dylan Scott 46m), 8 Joe Thompson (15 Regan Riley 68m), 9 James O’Neill (12 Dan Cockerline 58m), 10 Jack Birch (14 Kaiman Anderson 90+3m), 11 Matthew Hearsey (17 Harry Flowers 87m).

Clitheroe: 1 Zach Hadi, 2 Jordan Windass (14 Michael Bartley 86m), 3 Jake Carroll, 4 Ross Dent, 5 Baba Fernandes, 6 Noah Halford, 7 Leon Creech (15 Lewis Trickett 86m), 8 Adam McCoy, 9 Harry Scarborough, 10 Josh Briggs, 11 Sekouba Sanogo (12 Luke Gill 78m). Unused Subs 15 Kaleb Parkinson, 17 Sean McConville

Referee: Daniel McDonald
Cautions: O’Neill 28m(Stafford) Carroll 90+3m (Clitheroe)
Sent Off: Flowers 89m (Stafford), Dent 42m, Fernandes (after final whistle) (Clitheroe)

Goals:

Stafford: Birch (2) 49m, 71m

Clitheroe: Briggs 8m

Att: 1031

Report by Craig Cartwright

Interview: Graham Deakin

Stafford Rangers — Lower Breck

Apr 11, 2026

While Rangers were defeating Play Off hopefuls Lower Breck, fellow strugglers Sporting Khalsa were causing a shock by defeating form side Stalybridge Celtic.

The other team in the mix – Congleton Town – were beaten at Witton Albion, meaning that just two points separate the three clubs with two games to play.

With Marsel Tola suspended, Graham Deakin recalled John Atherton to the squad after the midfielder had been left out of the two games over Easter.

Rangers elected to play into the strong wind that was blowing towards the Social Club end and they started well with Atherton looking keen to make an impression but visiting keeper Theo Roberts wasn’t tested.

John Atherton was back in the starting lineup

Instead, it was the Merseysiders who got the first shot on goal when Samuel Burns tried his luck from around 25 yards but his shot was straight at Scott Moloney.

Rangers responded a minute later with Jack Birch’s free kick which was inches ahead of the reach of Atherton.

Jack Birch free kick just evades John Atherton

Liam Morris sent in a low drive that skimmed the rain dampened surface before going just wide of Scott Moloney’s right hand post before the Stafford keeper kept out Patrick Kay with an excellent save after the Breck no11 had created the opening with a smart turn.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 0 Lower Breck 0

Breck had two great chances in a matter of seconds at the start of the second half, firstly when Adisa Osayande blocked a shot from Lewis Buckley then

Moloney pushed away a good strike from Jordan Barrow.

It was Rangers who got the breakthrough on 49 minutes. A goal kick from Roberts held up in the wind and Joe Thompson’s header put Matt Hearsey clear.

Hearsey overcame the challenge of Roberts to record his 6th goal since joining the club at the end of January.

Hearsey scores the winner after getting past the keeper

Breck’s main threat came via Alex Cherera and he came close to an equaliser soon after Hearsey’s opener while Buckley fired over following a quick throw from Morris.

Midway through the half, the visitors enjoyed a prolonged period of possession which culminated in a corner, met by the head of Barrow but Moloney was well positioned.

At the other end, Rangers had chances to extend their lead but Adisa Olayande sent a looping header over and a drive from Ash Fallon also cleared the bar.

Sub Dan Cockerline missed a gilt edged chance to make sure of the win when an error from James Cooper left him with just the keeper to beat but his attempted lob went over.

Cockerline went some was to making amends a couple of minutes later when he made a vital clearance inside the Rangers’ 6 yard box then Moloney saved from Cherera.

Moloney saves from Cherera

Moloney was given the sponsor’s man of the match award and he showed why with a great save in the final minute of added time as he kept out Barrow’s thumping volley. Cherera put the loose ball into the side netting and Rangers were able to celebrate three points.

A jubilant management team celebrate the vital win

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 1 Lower Breck 0

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon (14 Regan Riley 90m), 5 Adisa Osayande, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 John Atherton (12 Kaiman Anderson 68m), 8 Joe Thompson, 9 James O’Neill (15 Dan Cockerline 72m), 10 Jack Birch, 11 Matthew Hearsey (17 Ben Woods 85m). Unused Sub 16 Devarn Green

Lower Breck: 1 Theo Roberts, 2 Liam Morris, 3 Daniel Lowey, 4 Frazer Cookson (15 Daniel McKenna 75m), 5 James Cooper, 6 Connor Millington (12 Connor Murphy 83m), 7 Alex Cherera, 8 Jordan Barrow, 9 Lewis Buckley (17 William Edmondson 83m), 10 Samuel Burns (16 Nathan Corness 73m), 11 Patrick Kay (14 Michael Fitzgerald 70m).

Referee: Thomas Viles
Cautions: Wilson 34m, Anderson 82m, Cockerline 90+4m (Stafford); Barrow 44m, Cookson 71m, Edmondson 87m (Lower Breck)

Goals: Hearsey 49m (Stafford)

Att: 718

Report by Chris Elsley

Interview Graham Deakin

Stafford Rangers — Wythenshawe Town

Apr 4, 2026

With five league games to play, Stafford moved to strengthen the back-room team by appointing familiar face Alex Meecham to the staff during the week to bring experience, enthusiasm, motivation, and coaching capabilities.

Manager Graham Deakin was pleased with his side’s response after some indifferent performances in recent weeks which had seen them lose their last four league games.

Deakin threw in a surprise selection with defender Jimmy O’Neill playing in attack. It was a role that he has performed with some degree of success in the past but it was his trademark throw ins that produced an early reward.

There were just three minutes gone when a long throw into the goal area landed at the feet of Matt Hearsey and he forced the ball home to put Rangers ahead.

Matt Hearsey celebrates after opening the scoring

The goal eased any early nerves in this “must win” game for Rangers and they doubled the lead on 11 minutes.

Again O’Neill was involved. Excellent control of a high ball allowed him to pick out Dan Cockerline who turned his man to create the space that enabled him to shoot past Greg Hall.

Dan Cockerline beats Wythenshawe’s Greg Hall for 2-0

Rangers dominated the opening stages with Wythenshawe looking likely to concede at any time but the balance changed when the visitors pulled one back on 20 minutes.

Wealth Dasilva collected a long ball from Charlie Martin then took advantage of a slip by Andy Burns to cross for Kobe Mc Williams to hook home.

A revitalised Wythenshawe went close to an equaliser a minute later but Eoin Hogan failed to connect with Daniel Dolling’s cross.

At the other end, Hall made a good double save as he kept out a low drive from Marsel Tola then Cockerline’s follow up.

Rangers’ task became tougher when Tola was sent off on 27 minutes after kicking out at McWilliams when the two players tangled just outside the Stafford penalty area. Referee James Owen had no hesitation in producing the red card and there were no complaints from the Stafford camp.

Despite the moment of madness from Tola, Rangers created a number of chances to restore the two goal margin.

The unmarked Cockerline headed goalwards only for Hall to save to his left, then, minutes before the interval, Ash Fallon’s header put Cockerline clear but the strong wind took the ball away from him and the best he could manage was a toe poke that Hall saved.

Adisa Osayande was another who failed to take a chance that came his way.

The half came to an end with a chance for the visitors that was sent wide of the target by Sajjad Elhassan.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 2 Wythenshawe Town 1

A man down and facing the wind, Rangers were always going to be facing a battle to keep hold of their lead.

Wythenshawe, knowing defeat would virtually condemn them to relegation, took the game to Rangers.

Dominic Rouse headed wide at the back post, a curler from Elhassan drifted just wide and a cross from Demi Rhami was, somehow, missed by all and drifted across goal

The opportunities kept coming but Scott Moloney wasn’t really tested. The Rangers keeper did push away a free kick from Elhassan with Astley Mulholland blasting the loose ball high over.

In the closing stages, Callum Wilson blocked a back post volley from Adam Abbas while another chance for Kaylan Wilkinson was hacked away.

Almost 9 minutes of time were added on before the referee’s whistle sparked a roar of relief from the Stafford fans – and a bizarre reaction from Wythenshawe keeper Hall who was trying his best to get a reaction from the home crowd.

Rangers staff celebrate at the final whistle

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 2 Wythenshawe Town 1

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon (15 Ben Woods 82m), 4 Marsel Tola, 5 Adisa Osayande, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 Regan Riley (14 Ashley Fallon 31m), 8 Joe Thompson, 9 James O’Neill (16 Jack Birch 56m), 10 Dan Cockerline (12 Kaiman Anderson 64m), 11 Matthew Hearsey (17 Devarn Green 72m).

Wythenshawe Town: 1 Greg Hall, 2 Eoin Hogan (14 Kaylan Wilkinson 82m), 3 Daniel Dolling, 4 Domaine Rouse, 5 Charlie Martin (12 Demi Rhami 46m), 6 Jack Taylor, 7 Sajjad Elhassan, 8 Astley Mulholland, 9 Wealth Dasilva, 10 Kobe McWilliams, 11 Kris Smith (15 Adam Abbas 72m). Unused Subs: 16 Zeke Eme, 17 Jake Parsisson.

Referee: James Owen

Cautions: Thompson 35m, Anderson 78m, Fallon 90+8m (Stafford); Taylor 51m, McWilliams 90+5m (Wythenshawe)

Sent Off: Tola 27m (Stafford)

Goals:

Stafford: Hearsey 3m, Cockerline 11m
Wythenshawe: McWilliams 20m

Att: 1,014

Report by Chris Elsley

Interview: Graham Deakin

Match Highlights