Jul 23, 2024
Stafford Rangers suffered the fourth defeat of their pre-season campaign but it was a closely fought encounter against fellow step 4 side Sutton Coldfield Town.
Rangers had an early half chance with a Jimmy O’Neill header but the visitors had a much better opportunity just a couple of minutes later only for Luke McGinnell to see his shot well saved by Jack Sandel.
Reece Gibson headed over for the visitors before one of the Stafford trialists placed a shot wide of the visitors’ goal.
Another effort for Sutton Coldfield was put wide then Sandel saved from Jack Lynch before making another good save to keep out McGinnell’s header just before half time.
Chances continued to come in the second half as Joe Morley was denied by the visiting keeper and Sandel made an excellent double save following a deflection off a Stafford defender and the follow up from Gibson.
The only goal came on 65 minutes when the ball was played into the near post and Gibson got in ahead of O’Neill to squeeze the ball home.
Stafford’s best opportunity for an equaliser came soon after when Aaron Opoku worked hard to create an opening only to see the Sutton keeper make a good save.
Multiple Stafford substitutions enabled the visitors to take control and only further saves from Sandel prevented Sutton from adding to the score.
Although it was another defeat, the were improved signs from Rangers and two trialists up front caught the eye.
Jul 16, 2024
Rangers came face to face with a strong Crewe Alex squad for their first home outing of the pre-season.
The Alex, beaten in last season’s League Two Play Off final, fielded two separate XIs in each half with a blend of first team and trial players and they proved too strong for Rangers winning 4-1.
Rangers fielded two triallists in the first half – both had featured in the win at Telford Town on Saturday – but otherwise it was a side that was not far off the strongest available to manager Dave Cooke.
After Joe Morley had forced a save from the Crewe keeper early on, the visitors were always in control of the game and Cam Belford was kept busy making saves from Max Sanders and Kane Hemmings.
Hemmings was involved in the build up to the Crewe opener on 17 minutes as Jack Lankester scored at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked.
Belford saved from Lewis Billington while the triallist in the Crewe goal did likewise to keep out Dan Cockerline.
It was Billington who doubled Crewe’s lead on 23 minutes with a simple finish after some good play on the right involving Sanders.
The all changed Crewe XI took less than a minute to impress at the start of the second half. Owen Lunt claimed the assist as Conor Thomas was left in space to make it 3-0.
Two minutes later, Cockerline pulled one back for Rangers as he poked the ball between the legs of Tom Booth but Shilow Tracey restored the three goal margin on 55 mins after linking with Fin Roberts.
Rangers made numerous substitutions in the final half hour which broke the flow of the game. The nearest either side came to adding to the scoring was when Omar Bogle hit the post.
Rangers were well beaten but it was still a good work out for them and they produced some good play but ultimately Crewe were too classy.
Apr 20, 2024
Stafford Rangers’ relegation from the NPL Premier Division was confirmed as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to play off hopefuls Ashton United.
The Boro’s survival was always an unlikely scenario after last week’s defeat at Atherton but this loss – coupled with Basford United’s late equaliser away to champions Radcliffe – was enough to condemn Stafford to step 4 football next season.
Manager Dave Cooke sprung a surprise by leaving out Jimmy O’Neill after the central defender had been outstanding against Whitby Town a couple of weeks earlier. Isaac Lee came in for his first start in four.
Rangers came within a whisker of making the perfect start when Kaiman Anderson hit the post inside the first minute. Sean Cooke played the ball over the top of Sam Baird to put Anderson in but, with the angle tight, the club’s leading scorer saw his shot crash against the goal frame.
It took some time for Ashton to create any sort of threat on the Stafford goal. Their first opportunity came via a corner which was headed high and wide by Sean Newton. They went closer when Kielen Adams caught Lee trying to shield the ball out for a goal kick. George Burroughs didn’t clear the subsequent cross with any degree of certainty allowing Alex Byrne to get in a shot which Cam Belford pushed up and over.
Chances were few but the best fell to Rangers and Kian Taylor probably should have done better when he fired over from around six yards out after AJay Leitch-Smith had done well to retain possession.
The latter’s participation came to an early end when he limped out of the game to be replaced by Jack Stafford and the sub almost marked his entrance with a goal only for Paul Cooper to make a decent save to his right following Andy Burns’ cross.
Ethan Stewart also missed out early in the second half following a counter attack launched after Jack Stafford had cleared a header from Baird off the line.
But it was Baird and his Ashton side who got what proved to be the winner on 50 minutes with a diving header from Byrne’s free kick.
After missing out on a couple of good chances in the first half, Rangers were restricted to less clear cut opportunities as the visitors put bodies behind the ball to preserve their lead.
Anderson, Cooke and Jack Stafford all had shots blocked before Connor Heath drilled his effort wide.
Stafford became more desperate in the final stages, pushing bodies forward and nearly paid the price when Nathan Lowe spotted Belford off his line but his long range effort went just wide.
When Jack Stafford’s deep cross just eluded the heads of both Heath and Anderson in the final minute of normal time, Rangers’ hopes of taking their battle to the final day went with it and next week’s long trip to Morpeth will be in search of little more than pride.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 George Burroughs, 4 Joe Willis, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Isaac Lee (12 Connor Heath 67m), 7 AJay Leitch-Smith (14 Jack Stafford 29m), 8 Owen German, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Sean Cooke, 11 Kian Taylor (16 Fletcher Rushbury 67m). Unused Subs: 13 Jack Sandel, 15 James O’Neill
Ashton United: 1 Paul Cooper, 2 Daniel Cowan, 3 Sean Newton, 4 Nathan Lowe, 5 Luke Burke, 6 Samuel Baird, 7 Alex Byrne (12 Bradley Abbott 76m), 8 James Hardy (15 Mitchell Rose 82m), 9 Jake Charles (17 Bernado Cuoto 69m), 10 Kielen Adams, 11 Warren Clarke. Unused Subs 14 Marcus Cusani, 16 Jason Caton
Referee: Keiran Forrest
Cautions: Lee, German (Stafford)
Att: 748
Report by Chris Elsley
Apr 6, 2024
Stafford Rangers are still clinging on to their NPL Premier Division status thanks to a hard fought victory over Whitby Town.
With a strong wind blowing against them, Rangers came out on full throttle and took a 12th minute lead with a quality finish from Kaiman Anderson – his 18th goal of the season – and outstanding performances from central defensive pairing Ethan Stewart and man of the match Jimmy O’Neill ensured that was to be enough.
It wasn’t just the back duo who stood out. Among others, Joe Willis kept running for the full 90 minutes while newcomer Kian Taylor once again showed that he has a bright future ahead of him.
Taylor missed out on an opportunity to notch his first Rangers goal when he lost out to visiting keeper Shane Bland in a one on one situation in the opening 5 minutes.
Soon after, it was Whitby’s turn to miss out on a one on one. Daniel Rowe’s header put Nathan Thomas clear but although he beat Cam Belford, he saw his shot come back off the post.
Sean Cooke was the next to waste a good opening as he spooned his effort high over the Shed End roof.
It was left to Anderson to show his team mates how it should be done. Willis dispossessed Coleby Shepherd who was charging up field on a counter attack. Owen German picked out Anderson who drilled his shot past Bland and in via the inside of the far post.
Belford had to be on his guard to keep his goal intact when a free kick from Thomas bounced towards goal off Stewart.
Rangers had a set back on 20 minutes when winger Tyreece Onyeka limped out of the game with a hamstring injury. Connor Heath came on as his replacement.
After a lively start, the pace of the game slowed. In the remaining 25 minutes of the half, Rangers’ best chance fell to Anderson who could only find the side netting from a tight angle.
At the other end, Junior Mondal fired straight at Belford and, just before the break, hit another into a crowd of defenders.
Rangers were first to show after the break with a hooked shot from Anderson being held by Bland while a 20 yard drive from Cooke was easily dealt with by the visiting keeper.
Chances were few and far between as the two sides got involved in a midfield battle with neither goal coming under serious threat.
In added time, Whitby subs Aaron Haswell and Stephen Walker linked with Mondal before Haswell sent a low centre flashing across the Stafford goal mouth.
With three games to play, Rangers are now three points from safety although their goal difference remains a key factor which could count against them.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 George Burroughs, 4 Joe Willis, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Kian Taylor (16 Jack Stafford 89m), 8 Owen German, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Sean Cooke, 11 Tyreece Onyeka (15 Connor Heath 19m). Unused Subs: 12 AJay Leitch-Smith, 14 Isaac Lee, 17 Luke Draysey
Whitby Town: 1 Shane Bland, 2 Connor Smith, 3 Coleby Shepherd, 4 Josef Wheatley, 5 Daniel Rowe, 6 Harrison Beeden, 7 Lewis Hawkins, 8 Alfie Doherty (15 Aaron Haswell 80m), 9 Max Howells (12 Bradley Fewster 63m), 10 Nathan Thomas (17 Stephen Walker 68m), 11 Junior Mondal. Unused Subs 14 Jacob Gratton, 16 Adam Gell
Referee: Dave Constable
Cautions: Cooke (Stafford), Wheatley (Whitby)
Att: 589
Report by Chris Elsley
Mar 30, 2024
Stafford Rangers made it two wins out of two with a hard fought victory over Workington at a sunny Stan Robinson Stadium.
The game was watched by a number of former players who had been invited to witness the unveiling of a mural commemorating some of the club’s past successes.
Rangers were unchanged from the side that defeated Bamber Bridge with new signing Kian Taylor taking a place on the bench with Ben Woods having left the club to join Avro FC.
Despite not having the best of seasons themselves, Workington are safe from relegation but any hopes that they may give Stafford an easy time of it were soon quashed.
The visitors almost took an early lead in bizarre circumstances. A long punt forward from Sam Hetherington looked to be overhit but Stafford keeper Cam Belford appeared dazzled by the sunlight. The ball struck the intersection of post and cross bar before dropping on to the goal line. Goal appeals from Workington went unanswered as none of the officials were in a good position to judge if the whole of the ball had crossed the line.
Rangers eventually began to show more promise but while some of the approach play was promising, the final delivery into the area was often not good enough.
When Tyreece Onyeka did get in a good delivery in the 28th minute, Kaiman Anderson fluffed his lines in front of goal. Fortunately Sean Cooke was on hand but even then the ball crept apologetically over the line – not that anyone from Stafford cared how it went in.
Minutes later, an attempted clearance from Finlay Wallbank struck Anderson but Stafford’s leading scorer was unable to take advantage of the situation then a strong run from George Burroughs resulted in a well struck drive from Cooke that was well caught to his left by James Atkinson.
Rangers now looked the stronger of the two sides but Workington almost levelled on the stroke of half time with another speculative effort as Conor Tinnion gained possession 15 yards inside the Stafford half and, seeing Belford off his line, tried his luck forcing the Boro keeper to scramble across and turn the ball out for a corner.
Rangers made two half time substitutions with Jimmy O’Neill replacing Isaac Lee and Connor Heath coming on for AJay Leitch-Smith.
Atkinson prevented Joe Willis from doubling the lead before Heath sent in a low drive which was comfortably gathered by the visiting keeper.
Restricted to long range efforts, Workington made a number of changes in an attempt to salvage something from their visit.
O’Neill had to scramble the ball away from danger following a flick on from Stephen Rigg. Rangers immediately launched a counter attack which was ended by Tinnion bringing down Cooke – earning the Workington man a caution.
The visitors’ best chance of the afternoon fell to Hetherington as the game entered the final 10 minutes. A good header from Rigg found the midfielder in space but he rushed his chance and volleyed wide.
Rangers had two further chances to wrap the game up. Owen German put Anderson clear but Wallbank got back to make an excellent intervention, then, in added time, Taylor was presented with an opportunity to mark his debut with a goal but Atkinson stood his ground to save with his left foot.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cam Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 George Burroughs, 4 Joe Willis, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Isaac Lee (12 Jimmy O’Neill 46m), 7 A-Jay Leitch-Smith (12 Connor Heath 46m (14 Kian Taylor 78m)), 8 Owen German, 9 Kaiman Anderson 10 Sean Cooke, 11 Tyreece Onyeka. Unused Subs: 16 Jack Stafford, 17 Lewis Porter
Workington: 1 James Atkinson, 2 Gregory McCarragher, 3 Finlay Wallbank, 4 Jordan Little, 5 Sam Smith, 6 Ceiran Casson (14 Aidan Roxburgh 67m), 7 Kitt Nelson (12 Jake Allen 73m), 8 Sam Hetherington, 9 Lewis Reilly (16 Scott Allison 60m), 10 Stephen Rigg, 11 Conor Tinnion. Unused Subs 15 Sam Christian, 17 Daniel Eccles.
Referee: James Tewson
Cautions: O’Neill (Stafford), Casson, Tinnion (Workington)
Att: 771
Report by Chris Elsley
