Stafford Rangers 2 Halifax Town 3
Blue Square Premier
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Attendance: 927 (inc 127 away fans)
Weather: mild and dry
With the video set to record the action, I set off early eager to sample the Setanta TV experience in the flesh. On arrival on Marston Road there were the expected satellite and productions vans on the car park. Inside the ground there were three camera gantries on the Lotus side and a large Blue Square logo in the centre circle.
This game was originally scheduled for Tuesday and Stafford went into it keen to record their first victory of the season – and it nearly happened. Trailing to a first-half goal from Lewis Kileen, Stafford came out fighting after the interval and scored twice within seven minutes of the restart through Matt Hazley and David McNiven. But hopes of that elusive first win were ended when Jon Shaw netted two late goals.
With Djoumin Sangare returning from his groin injury, Phil Robinson faced a difficult decision over who to leave out at the back; Craig McAughtrie was the unlucky player. Sebastian Arnolin returned in midfield in place of Kevin Street who was fit enough only for the bench.
Halifax had ex-Stafford loan player, Anthony Griffith, in midfield with Cortez Belle, who has faced Rangers before with Merthyr Tydfil and Chester City, as a central defender.
The visitors made a bright start and Sangare made a fine tackle to prevent Shaw from getting in a shot. Adam Quinn headed over in the 13th minute from a near-post free-kick. Tom Kearney also sent a well-struck shot flashing past the Boro goal.
Rangers went close to breaking the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when Adaggio headed Richard Sutton's long ball over the bar.
However, it was Halifax who took the lead in the 35th minute. They were awarded another corner when Steve Torley's low shot from the left took a deflection of Wayne Daniel. Robert Duggan failed to hold the ball delivered by the right by Torpey. Andy Campbell, at the far post, volleyed towards goal and Killeen to stooped to head home from a couple of yards out.
Rangers thought they had equalised just before the interval in the 42nd minute. Greg Stones' free-kick played forward into the went in via Adaggio's hand. The referee initially awarded a goal but changed his mind on the say so of his assistant.
There was still time for Rangers to create another chance before the whistle. Adaggio's angled shot from the right took a deflection on it's way out for a corner.
Phil Robinson made two changes at the interval with Matt Hazley and Kevin Street replacing Sebastian Arnolin and Steve Hopkinson.
And the bold move almost immediately paid dividends when Street fired over from just outside the area.
But Boro fans didn't have to wait long for an equaliser, scored 144 seconds into the second half. Adaggio exchanged passes with Street and volleyed into the bottom-right corner from 15 yards out.
Rangers were rewarded for their improved showing with a second goal scored in the 51st minute. Adaggio stayed onside to latch onto a throughball from Chris Flynn. The lively Italian crossed low into the six yard box when McNiven couldn't make clean contact with the ball. Hazley, at the far post, got in a shot which McNiven forced over the line, while laying on the ground, from a couple of yards out.
The visitors drew level in the 75th minute, again from a corner. Torpey delivered the ball which Shaw volleyed towards goal. Duggan tried to make a save but the ball crossed the line despite the efforts of Street to hook it clear.
It was Shaw who scored what proved to be the 80th-minute winner. Torpey fed Campbell on the left who crossed deep to the far post where unmarked Shaw slotted home.
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): 27. Robert Duggan; 2. Richard Sutton, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Djoumin Sangare, 25. Fred Murray; 24. Steve Hopkinson, 23. Greg Stones, 7, Chris Flynn, 19. Sebastian Arnolin; 10. David McNiven, 20. Marco Adaggio. Subs: 8. Kevin Street (for Hopkinson, ht), 22. Matt Hazley (for Arnolin, ht), 9. Neil Grayson (for Street, 88), 4. Craig McAughtrie, 1. Danny Alcock (gk)
Halifax Town (yellow/yellow/yellow) 1. Craig Mawson; 12. Ryan Toulson, 18. Cortez Belle, 5. Adam Quinn, 14. Jake Wright; 10. Lewis Killeen, 19. Anthony Griffith, 6. Tom Kearney (capt), 20. Steve Torpey; 8. Andy Campbell, 11. Jon Shaw. Subs: 2. Rob Scott (for Quinn, 89), 4. Steve Bushell (for Torpey, 90), 3. Matt Doughty, 7. Danny Forrest, 9. Darryn Stamp
Referee: Andy Hendley (Halesowen)
Attendance: 927 (inc 117 away fans)
The match report was originally written for and published on the now defunct www.staffordrangers.co.uk
