Tuesday 19th April 2005
Moor Green 0 Stafford Rangers 1
Nationwide North
At: Damson Park, Solihull Borough FC
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: ???
Attendance: 300
Weather: cloudy, dry after pre-match rain
Duration: first-half: 50:42; second-half: 46:39
Stafford Rangers bounced back from Saturday’s heavy defeat with a well-deserved victory against old rivals Moor Green. And it was central defender Chris Smith who scored the vital winner at the end of the first half, his first goal for the club.
With striker Neil Grayson still missing through injury, skipper Wayne Daniel led the attack with Alan Dodd and Dennis Pearce recalled into a reorganised side for Rob Heath and Jamie Phoenix. Phil Robinson was forced to make another change just before the half-hour mark when Gary Fife replaced the injured Craig Wilding. Moor Green included three former Stafford players – Ben Petty, Darren Middleton and unused substitute David Foy.
Stafford got the game underway attacking the ‘covered end’ in the first half.
Neither goalkeeper was troubled until Adam Rachel came off his line to block a shot from Nathan Talbott. The Moor Green goalkeeper also saved bravely at the feet of Craig Wilding, a collision that eventually forced the Rangers striker out of the game.
The impressive Talbott sent a shot flashing past the right-hand post before Middleton wasted a great chance to put his side in front. He blasted over the bar with just Joe Anyon to beat.
In a match played at Solihull Borough’s Damson Park, Rangers broke the deadlock in first half injury time. Fife won the ball on half way before finding Danny Edwards inside the area who saw a shot deflected wide. Edwards delivered the resulting corner and Smith fired home at close range.
Just before the interval, Craig McAughtrie cleared off the line from Petty and Neil Davis fired the loose ball inches over.
Stafford rarely looked like losing their lead in the second half and, perhaps, should have extended their lead. Craig Lovatt should have buried a Talbott cross but kicked ‘thin air’ in front of goal. And Rachel made a fine one-handed diving save from Talbott and also tipped over a Fife volley to keep his side in with a chance.
Near the end, Daniel chased the ball down the left and pulled it back for Lee Downes to drive inches wide.
Moor Green (navy blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Adam Rachel (capt), 2. Phillip Midworth, 3. Richard Follett, 4. Lee Collins, 5. Guy Sanders, 6. Ben Petty, 7. Peter Faulds, 8. Darren Middleton, 9. Neil Davis, 10. David Bridgwater, 11. Phil Trainer. Subs: 12. Jae Martin (for Petty, 76), 14. Sean Canham (for Davis, 76), 15. Mark Owen (for Middleton, 69), 16. David Foy (not used), 17. Junior English (not used).
Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Joe Anyon, 2. Alan Dodd, 3. Dennis Pearce, 4. Chris Smith, 5. Craig McAughtrie, 6. Craig Lovatt, 7. Nathan Talbott, 8. Lee Downes, 9. Wayne Daniel (capt), 10. Craig Wilding, 11. Danny Edwards. Subs: 12. Richard Miller (not used), 14. Alex Gibbons (not used), 15. Alex Gibson (not used), 16. Richard Beale (not used), 17. Gary Fife (for Wilding, 29).
Referee: P. A. Caswell (Leicester)
Assistants: ???
Goals:
0-1 Chris Smith (47)
Cards:
Moor Green: none
Stafford: Wayne Daniel (YC, 40), Chris Smith (YC, 50), Nathan Talbott (YC, 90+1)
