Aldershot Town 4 Stafford Rangers 2
Nationwide Conference
At: Recreation Ground
Kick-off 3-00 pm
Attendance: 1734
Weather: sunny
Stafford Rangers suffered a third-straight defeat, this time in the Bank Holiday sunshine at Aldershot Town.
Striker Guy Madjo got Rangers back on level terms twice during a pulsating first half but Aldershot scored two unanswered goals during the second half to claim the points.
Stafford almost took an early lead when Robin Gibson saw a close-range shot cleared off the line following good work by Madjo and Levi Reid.
But the home side soon got in from with a spectacular strike in the 6th minute. The impressive Ryan Williams, who caused problems all afternoon sent a dipping volley from the left dipping over the helpless Robbie Duggan.
Aldershot continued to relentlessly press forward and created a host of further chances with Louis Soares and Mike Molesley going closest with shots flying just over the bar.
At times this season Stafford haven’t enjoyed much luck but they got back in contention with the help of two controversial decisions.
In the 28th minute, Aldershot had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Craig McAughtrie, the last defender, and John Grant tangled inside the Stafford area.
Home fans had hardly simmered down when Madjo looked to latch onto Reid’s long ball in an offside decision a minute later. The striker proceeded to round keeper Nikki Bull and slot into an empty net.
The game momentarily became scrappy as referee Mr Ford showed three yellow cards in quick succession before there was further controversy surrounding Aldershot second goal scored in the 35th minute. Williams left Nathan Talbott on the ground clutching his face before whipping in a far post cross from the right which Grant slotted home.
A statuesque Rangers defence allowed Kirk Hudson to volley inches wide as Aldershot kept up the unrelenting tempo.
However, Madjo again got his side back on level terms during first-half injury time. Reid’s left-wing corner was cleared upfield for Richie Sutton to loft back into the home area. McAughtrie flicked the ball into the path of Madjo who somehow squeezed the ball home from a narrow angle to net his 12th goal of the season.
Phil Robinson made a tactical change at the interval with Neil Grayson replacing Reid and for a while Rangers appearing to be coping better with Aldershot’s threat.
Ricky Newman thought he’d scored in the 59th minute when a rising 30-yard drive bounced down off the underside off the bar onto the line but home fans were celebrating two minutes later.
Hudson cut in from the right and laid the ball back for Williams to score again at close range.
With the game still played at a frantic pace, it was no surprise that Rangers’ part-timers tired during their second game in three days.
And a good move involving Grant, Louis Soares and Hudson led to Aldershot putting the outcome beyond doubt in the 70th minute. Dixon did well to finish from eight yards despite the close attention of two defenders.
Duggan pulled off a fine save to turn round a low 20-yarder from substitute Mark Prichard as Aldershot looked to find the net again.
Danny Edwards replaced Andy White and set up a good chance for Madjo to complete his hat-trick. However, the striker headed over and Rangers were left stunned.
Aldershot Town (red and blue quarters/red/blue): Bull, Soares, Charles, Day, Barnard, Hudson, Molesley, Newman, Williams, John Grant, Dixon (Pritchard, 72). Subs not used: Wells, Winfield, Hylton, Beckford.
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Talbott, R. Gibson, Griffith, Lovatt (A. Gibson, 85), Reid (Grayson, 46), Madjo, White (Edwards, 79). Subs not used: Alcock, Murray.
Referee: D. Ford (Reading).
Attendance: 1,734.
