Sep 13, 2022
Stafford Rangers put on a much improved display than of late but had to settle for a point from an entertaining game at Marston Road.
Disappointing defeats to Belper and Matlock Town had seen Rangers slip from top spot but they showed much more determination when they came up against a Warrington side that is likely to be competing around the top five by the end of the campaign.
Apart from Joe Kenton and Adam Livingstone switching shirts, it was an unchanged side from the starting XI that faced Matlock.
Warrington looked happy to play the ball across the back but, as Rangers fans may remember from the Jody Banim era, that can prove a dangerous tactic at Northern Premier League level and Tom Tonks almost hammered home the point when he robbed Bohan Dixon but couldn’t manage to find the target from 20 yards out.
Warrington always looked a threat going forward with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts proving a tricky opponent.
It was the Warrington number 9 who produced his side’s first shot on goal when he found space past Ethan Stewart but Cameron Belford was able to parry the shot out for a corner.
After another period of play across the back, Warrington launched a quick attack through James Harris who sent Stefan Mols away but, this time, Stewart was able to do his job and block the shot.
Kaiman Anderson was just unable to steer the ball past Anthony Thompson from Tonks’ free kick which still nearly ended up in the back of the net, going the wrong side of the post by a matter of inches.
Tonks placed another shot straight at the visiting keeper but it was Warrington who should have got themselves in front on the stroke of half time when Buckley-Ricketts was left unmarked but could only head wide of the goal.
Both sides had chances early in the second half with Buckley-Ricketts turning over a mis-hit shot from Dixon while Mols had to hurry the ball away before Kaiman Anderson pounced on an error from Thompson.
Belford then saved from Buckley-Ricketts before Thompson denied Adam Livingstone.
The game needed a goal and it was Rangers who got it on 57 minutes.
Not for the first time, Dixon was caught in possession and Jack Baxter advanced to the edge of the Warrington area. Harris’ defensive efforts only picked out Kenton on the edge of the area and he had the relatively simple task of rolling the ball into an unguarded net.
Buckley-Ricketts should have levelled soon after when he was put clear via a poor defensive header from Joe Willis. The Warrington man took the ball wide of Belford but then put his shot wide of the post and into the side netting.
Visiting sub Josh Amis almost scored with his first touch but Buckley-Ricketts finally got his goal to level the scores on 74 mins when he slid in to convert a dangerous ball across goal from Mikey Howard.
Howard himself went close to putting Warrington ahead as Rangers looked vulnerable at the back but they still posed a threat themselves at the other end and saw Livingstone, Tonks and Kenton all fail to test the keeper when well placed.
Both sides kept pressing for a winner to the end. Alex Kiwomya and Anderson had Rangers’ best chances – both in the final minute – but the former was kept out by Thompson and the latter fired wide.
Warrington almost punished a poor clearance from Belford when Buckley-Ricketts played in Amis. The Stafford keeper made an excellent save although the offside flag was already raised. In the final action, Stewart diverted a goalbound header from Howard out for a corner and it was a deserved share of the points for the two sides.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Harry Nevin, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Joe Kenton, 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Willis, 11 Adam Livingstone (14 Alex Kiwomya 84m) Unused Subs 12 Ntumba Massanka, 15 Darius Smith, 16 Nathan Caine, 17 Jaiden White
Warrington: 1 AnthonyThompson, 2 Joshua Seary, 3 Andy White, 4 Evan Gumbs, 5 Thomas Hannigan, 6 James Harris, 7 Stefan Mols (12 Josh Amis 68m), 8 Sean Williams, 9 Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, 10 Bohan Dixon (14 Matthew McDonald 88m), 11 Luke Duffy (15 Michael Howard 62m). Unused Subs 16 Declan Walker, 17 Teddy Mfuni
Cautions: Dunne (Stafford)
Ref: Richard Eley
Att: 406
Report: Chris Elsley
Sep 3, 2022
After a promising start to the campaign, Stafford Rangers’ season is threatening to come off the rails after another lacklustre display saw them dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.
There were few in the ground who would deny that visitors Newcastle Town were worthy of their victory – the looked the more determined of the two sides from the kick off although Cameron Belford in the Stafford goal wasn’t called into action until the 17th minute when he flung himself to his left to turn away Connor Russo’s close range header.
This came just a couple of minutes after Rangers themselves could have gone ahead. Joe Dunne linked with Jaiden White on the left before drilling the ball into the danger area. Ntumba Massanka was unable to make clean contact and Alex Kiwomya couldn’t get any touch at all.
A quick throw from Tom Tonks – back in a more familiar midfield role after filling in at right back – should have been converted by Massanka but once more he failed to find the target while Jack Baxter’s 18 yard drive struck the advertising boards on The Shed End roof.
In between, at the other end of the field, Luis Morrison-Derbyshire had to make a block to keep out Jack Van Der Laan.
Brother Tommy Van Der Laan missed out with two hacks at the ball but, as it looked like the two sides would go into the interval on level terms, James Askey was left free to plant a header beyond the reach of Belford after Baxter could only help on Russo’s long throw.
Newcastle made it 2-0 just four minutes after the interval. After two failed attempts from Russo, Ethan Vale delivered in a cross from the right and Jacob Lovatt steered his header past Belford.
Baxter went close to pulling one back with a fierce 25 yarder that was tipped over by Joe Slinn while Ethan Stewart headed wide from the resulting corner.
Penalty claims from the Boro were turned away when White went down claiming a push from Luke Dennis.
Kiwomya, Tonks and Morrison-Derbyshire were all off target with late efforts as Rangers’ hopes wilted away.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Joe Kenton, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya , 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Ntumba Massanka (16 Nathan Caine 79m), 10 Chris Clements (14 Adam Livingstone 82m), 11 Jaiden White (12 Kaiman Anderson 82m). Unused Subs 13 Ty Belford, 15 Joe Willis
Newcastle Town: 1 Joe Slinn, 2 Joe Hurst, 3 Oliver Ritchie, 4 Ethan Vale, 5 James Askey, 6 Luke Dennis, 7 Mike Conlon, 8 Tommy Van Der Laan, 9 Jacob Lovatt (18 Chris Smith 82m), 10 Jack Van Der Laan, 11 Connor Russo (16 Nathan Morley 70m). Unused Subs: 12 William Lloyd, 14 Jayden Hunter, 15 Ryan Baxter, 17 Callum Parker, 19 Oliver Torvussen
Cautions: Askey (Newcastle)
Ref: Matthew McQuillan
Att: 549
Report: Chris Elsley
Aug 29, 2022
Stafford Rangers surrendered their unbeaten record in a tame manner against a Belper Town side who came into the game winless from their opening five fixtures.
A bumper Bank Holiday crowd of 1,058 witnessed a disappointing display from the league leaders who seemed insistent on feeding the ball to Belper’s dominant central defensive pairing of Danny South and Derek Ubah.
The opening play had seen Rangers on a positive foot without threatening the visiting goal.
Belper created a couple of half chances as they settled into the game but the only effort that either keeper had to deal with was a looping header from Tom Wilson that Cam Belford took under the bar.
It was the visitors who made the breakthrough on the half hour through Luke Mangham who nodded in from close range after Joe Dunne had kept out the initial effort from South.
Adam Livingstone fired over as Rangers sought to get back on level terms and it was Tom Tonks who ensured that the home side would go in all square at the break when he pounced on a rebound in the 45th minute after Kaiman Anderson’s ball from the left had struck the far post.
Jack Baxter went wide in the early stages of the second half while Kaiman Anderson was unable to control a bouncing ball from Dunne’s long clearance.
Joe Kenton replaced Joe Willis and could have had his name on the scoresheet within a minute of coming on but he could only make a glancing contact with Tonks’ long throw.
Instead. it was Belper who grabbed the next goal – Alex Peterson attacked Harry Middleton’s right wing corner to head the Derbyshire side in front on 67 minutes.
The visitors were determined not to lose their lead again and went into defensive mode. Rangers did have chances but never tested keeper Max Culverwell.
The best chances fell to Livingstone. He blazed the first high over to end a promising position and though he did better with his second, it was an easy gather for Culverwell.
Despite the result, Rangers remain at the top of the table after six games.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Joe Willis (14 Joe Kenton 64m), 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya (16 Nathan Caine 90m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson , 10 Chris Clements (12 Ntumba Massanka 68m), 11 Adam Livingstone. Unused Subs 13 Ty Belford, 15 Jaiden White,
Belper Town: 1 Max Culverwell, 2 Amir Ariel, 3 Josh Woodcock, 4 Tom Wilson, 5 Danny South, 6 Derek Ubah, 7 Derry Robson, 8 Harry Middleton, 9 Alex Peterson (14 Jack Gibson 75m), 10 Luke Mangham (12 Tom Hewlett 85m), 11 Brodie Litchfield (17 Charlie Reaney 85m). Unused Subs 15 Todd Jordan, 16 Oliver Lobley,
Cautions: Willis, Baxter, Stewart (Rangers) Middleton, Gibson (Belper)
Ref: Matthew Perry
Att: 1,058
Report: Chris Elsley
Aug 23, 2022
Stafford Rangers came from behind to beat a classy Marine side on a thrilling night of football at Marston Road.
In a dramatic finale, Kaiman Anderson netted the stoppage time winner to maintain the Boro’s fine start to the season.
There was no quarter given as the two sides went at each other in a great advert for the Northern Premier League.
Referee Ben Cooke handed out a total of 11 yellow cards, including four to members of staff in the two technical areas. Marine’s defender Joseph Ferguson collected two of the yellows, resulting in a red card on 72 minutes.
Matt Hill made his first changes to the starting line up with four players making their first starts of the campaign but it was the visitors who did the early pressing.
Jake Burton was inches away from putting Marine ahead after a smart turn past Ethan Stewart created the space.
Burton then hit a half volley over while Joshua Wardle headed wide.
It took Rangers a good half an hour to settle. Jaiden White turned an effort goalwards but it lacked the power needed to worry Bayleigh Passant.
Ntumba Massanka had the ball in the Marine net but his effort was ruled out for a foul on the visiting keeper while a good header from Stewart was straight at the Marine custodian.
The best effort of the half came from Marine’s Alex Doyle who saw his first time shot fly inches over the bar.
Early in the second half, Rangers went close through Jack Baxter. In the build up Marine defender Joshua Solomon-Davies picked up an injury which brought an early end to his night.
Stafford born Hayden Campbell almost found his way through the home defence but found Stewart a solid wall at the last.
The contest was now an even battle. Tom Tonks hit the post after a centre from Alex Kiwomya then Massanka flicked one over his shoulder but also cleared the crossbar.
Ferguson was cautioned after getting frustrated by White’s clever skills just in front of the Marine dug out. Tempers flared and remained high for the remainder of the evening.
The opening goal fell to Wardle on 67 minutes. The Marine captain had been involved in a fascinating tussle to keep Massanka at bay but popped up at the opposite end to head home Mo Touray’s Cross.
Touray himself went just wide before Marine’s evening started to fall apart as Ferguson saw red for preventing a free kickbeing taken.
Rangers threw everything forward but there were just 7 minutes of normal time remaining when Baxter dispossed Touray and advanced to the edge of the area before firing home the equaliser.
Anderson curled one just over while Massanka couldn’t keep the ball down as he tried to divert Kiwomya’s shot past Passant.
The game was into the sixth minute of added time when Anderson headed in a dramatic winner following a long throw from Tonks.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andrew Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Alex Kiwomya, 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Ntumba Massanka, 10 Chris Clements (12 Kaiman Anderson 76m), 11 Jaiden White (14 Adam Livingstone 73m). Unused Subs 13 Aiden Jeynes, 15 Joe Wilis, 16 Nathan Caine
Marine: 1 Bayleigh Passant, 2 Joshua Solomon-Davies (16 Mo Touray 52m), 3 Sean Smith, 4 Mark Howarth, 5 Joshua Wardle, 6 Joseph Ferguson, 7 Jordan Lussey, 8 Alex Doyle, 9 Djavan Pedro, 10 Jake Burton (12 Luke Clark 73m), 11 Callum Harris (15 Hayden Campbell 9m). Unused Subs: 14 Kielen Adams, 17 Jack Dunn
Cautions: Burns, Morrison-Derbyshire (Rangers), Wardle, Pedro, Campbell (Marine)
Sent Off: Ferguson – two cautions (Marine)
Ref: Ben Cooke
Att: 786
Aug 13, 2022
Stafford Rangers got their season off to the perfect start with victory over Bamber Bridge at a scorching hot Marston Road.
Prior to kick off, players, officials and spectators stood for a minutes applause for he life of Stuart Chapman, the long serving Rangers’ legend who recently passed away.
After a bright opening, Rangers were left stunned when Brig opened the scoring on 7 minutes. There was an element of luck in the approach which saw the ball bounce into the path of Finlay Sinclair-Smith but the finish, from 20 yards out, was of high quality.
A good save from Cameron Belford prevented the Brig goalscorer from adding a second on 16 minutes.
It was a key moment as Rangers levelled matters just a couple of minutes later.
Joe Dunne started the attack on the left. Adam Livingstone and Jack Baxter played their part before Dunne whipped in a cross which was turned into his own net by Harvey Hughes under pressure from Joe Kenton.
Baxter tried his luck with a low drive that was comfortably saved by Felix Goddard as Rangers looked to take control.
At the other end powerful shot from Finlay Sinclair-Smith thumped into the body of Ethan Stewart.
The game received another twist on the stroke of half time when Brig captain Paul Dawson had a rush of blood and elbowed Boro defender in the face, just yards away from referee Richard Eley who had no hesitation in showing the red card.
After a couple of missed opportunities at the second half, Rangers made their numerical advantage tell on 53 minutes when Tom Tonks netted from the penalty spot after being fouled by Nathan Pond.
Goddard’s bravery denied Kenton after a solo run following an intercepted pass in midfield but Rangers made it 3-1 on 72 minutes through substitute Ntumba Massanka who latched on to a quick throw from Tonks before firing past Goddard with the outside of his right foot.
It was game over on 84 mins. Burns picked out Massanka who set up Alex Kiwomya with a neat back heal.
Brig did reduce the deficit on 89 mins with a Ghys Turner header after Dunne had blocked Noah Alabi’s initial shot on the line.
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andrew Burns, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Jack Baxter, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, 7 Joe Kenton (15 Jaiden White 83m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson (12 Ntumba Massanka 62m), 10 Joe Wilis, 11 Adam Livingstone ( 16 Alex Kiwomya 69m). Unused Subs 14 Chris Clements, 17 Nathan Caine.
Bamber Bridge: 1 Felix Goddard, 2 Matthew Thomson, 3 Harvey Hughes, 4 David Perkins (14 Chris Churchman 78m), 5 Nathan Pond, 6 Thomas Hoyle, 7 Aaron Skinner, 8 Luke Daly (12 Rhys Turner 46m), 9 Isaac Sinclair (16 Noah Alabi 68m), 10 Paul Dawson, 11 Finlay Sinclair-Smith.Unused Subs:15 William Riding, – only four Subs named
Cautions: Nathan Pond (Bamber Bridge)
Sent Off: Paul Dawson (Bamber Bridge)
Referee: Richard Eley
Att 614
Report by Chris Elsley
