Stafford Rangers 2 Halifax Town 3
Nationwide Conference
At: Marston Road
Attendance: 1062
Three first-half goals did the damage as Halifax Town recorded a ‘double’ over Rangers. After David McNiven had put Stafford ahead, Darryn Stamp, Felix Bastians and Neal Trotman all found the net for the visitors before the interval. McNiven reduced the deficit in the second half but Boro couldn’t find an equaliser.
Stafford quickly took the lead in the 7th minute shortly after Halifax central defender Adam Quinn’s departure. Visiting goalkeeper Craig Mawson failed to make contact with Richie Sutton’s hanging right-wing cross and left McNiven the task to slot home at close range.
Chances were scare during the opening quarter with the Stafford defence proving difficult to penetrate. However, that all changed in the 25th minute when Halifax got back on level terms. Stamp drilled home his fourth goal in five game since joining the Shaymen following goof work down the left by Bastians.
Halifax unlocked the Stafford defence again seven minute later. Defender Liam Murray blocked an initial shot from Danny Forrest and Bastians steered the rebound wide of the diving Danny Alcock.
Anthony Griffith saw a well-struck shot cannon off Trotman for a corner in a good spell of pressure from Stafford. And were awarded a penalty in the 44th minute. Mawson brought down Guy Madjo inside the area but kept out McNiven’s spot kick.
Halifax further extended their lead in stoppage time. Trotman ran in to head home direct from Tom Kearney’s corner.
McNiven found the net again with a second goal in the 69th minute. Levi Reid, Madjo and Nathan Talbott were all involved in the move which the striker finished off by hooking the ball home via the right-hand post.
Rangers continued their fight all the way to the end with McNiven having a shot blocked and Ryan Cresswell doing well to thwart Madjo.
Phil Robinson said: “(After trailing 3-1 at the interval) the players gave it everything to try and get back. They dominated the second period, created a number of chances, scored one goal but couldn’t manage to get the other one.”
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): Danny Alcock, Alex Gibson, Wayne Daniel (capt), Liam Murray, Nathan Talbott, Richie Sutton, Anthony Griffith, Ged Murphy, Levi Reid, David McNiven, Guy Madjo. Subs: Robin Gibson (for A. Gibson, 60), Neil Grayson (for Griffith, 60), Dean Williams, Sean Ridgway, Danny Edwards.
Halifax Town (orange/white/white): Craig Mawson, Gus Uhlenbeek, Neal Trotman, Adam Quinn, Matt Doughty, Lewis Kileen, Tom Kearney (capt), Tyrone Thompson, Felix Bastians, Danny Forrest, Darryn Stamp. Subs: Ryan Cresswell (for Quinn, 6), Shane Smeltz (for Stamp, 60), Chris Billy (for Bastians, 81), Steve Haslam, Lionel Ainsworth.
Sponsors Man of the Match: David McNiven
Referee: Colin Harwood (Manchester).
Attendance: 1,062 (inc 276 away fans).
