Saturday 9th December 2006
Morecambe 1 Stafford Rangers 0
Nationwide Conference
At: Christie Park
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 1373
Weather: -
In a clash between the two sides with the best records in the Nationwide Conference over the previous six games, it was Morecambe who came out on top with a spectacular winning goal.
Stafford were unlucky not to return with a point after they hit the post, had a goal disallowed and were denied strong penalties appeals.
The winner came five minutes before the interval. Moments after Guy Madjo had struck the Morecambe woodwork, Garry Thompson picked up a pass 15 yards out from Adriano Rigoglioso and set an unstoppable shot past Rangers keeper Danny Alcock who could do nothing to keep the bal lout.
Phil Robinson made two changes to the side that started at Brighton with Dolapo Olaoye and Chris Basham coming in for Danny Edwards and Kevin Street.
The game’s main talking points of a game occurred at either end of the match.
Rangers thought they had taken the lead in the 4th minute. Basham was ruled offside while forcing a loose ball over the line after Steven Drench pulled off a save to keep out a header from Madjo. The on-loan midfielder also had a goal disallowed against St Albans at the end of last month.
Late in the game came the two strong claims for a penalty, both involving Morecambe skipper Jim Bentley. He appeared to handle inside the area and, in injury time, clearly pulled back Madjo. But referee Harwood ignored the pleas.
Stafford made a bright start with an attacking formation with Madjo leading the line supported by Neil Grayson and Dolapo Olaoye on his first Conference start.
Madjo set up Basham who fired wide before the young midfielder had a goal disallowed.
Morecambe enjoyed a good 15-minute spell leading up to the interval. Alcock did well to come off his line to block a shot from Thompson who also hit the post in the 34th minute.
Bentley should have scored from a corner but the defender slotted wide at close range when it was easier to find the net. Alcock then pulled off a fine save to keep out Craig Stanley’s low shot.
During this spell Rangers found it hard to get forward in this spell but almost took the lead in the 39th minute. Madjo got into the home area to fire a shot that beat Drench, only to see the ball rebound off the post.
A minute later, Morecambe scored what proved to be the winner.
Needing a goal, Stafford played well in the second half but their effort went unrewarded.
Basham threaded a pass into the area to Olaoye but Drench dived bravely at the feet of the striker.
Thompson kept the Stafford defence on its toes and curled a shot across the face of goal as well as firing over the bar.
With 20 minutes remaining, Grayson robbed full back Adam Yates and laid the ball back to Craig Lovatt. The midfielder, who played well, forced a good catch out of Drench to keep out a 25-yard drive.
Danny Edwards replaced Grayson and his mistake almost let Morecambe add a second goal. He lost possession in home territory and allowed Thompson to run over 50 yards to the Rangers area. Nathan Talbott got back to made an awesome saving tackle – any mis-timing would have seen a penalty and a red card.
Edwards should have also headed an equaliser in the 84th minute. He rose at the far post to meet a cross from the impressive Basham but directed the ball wide of the target.
Stafford kept pressing for a goal right up to the final whistle and were denied the chance to score in injury time by Mr Harwood’s inexplicable decision not to award a penalty when Madjo was pulled back.
Morecambe: Steven Drench, Adam Yates, Michael Howard, Jim Bentley (capt), Chris Blackburn, Craig Stanley, Fraser McLachlan, David Perkins, Adriano Rigoglioso (Jamie Burns 76), Michael Twiss, Garry Thompson. Subs not used: Jamie Davies, Wayne Curtis, Ged Brannan, David McNiven.
Stafford Rangers: Danny Alcock, Richard Sutton, Wayne Daniel (capt), Liam Murray, Nathan Talbott, Dolapo Olaoye, Chris Basham, Craig Lovatt, Ged Murphy, Neil Grayson (Danny Edwards, 73), Guy Madjo. Subs not used: Kevin Street, Robin Gibson, Brian Quailey, Matthew Barlow.
Referee: C. Harwood (Manchester).
Goals:
1-0 Garry Thompson (40)
