Droylsden 1 Stafford Rangers 1
Blue Square Premier
At: Butchers Arms Ground
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 612
Weather: overcast, cold
The fans who travelled to the Butchers Arms Ground showed their full support for manager Phil Robinson and the team after Rangers fought with pride to earn a vital point. Djimi Sangare scored his first goal for the club on the stroke of half-time to put Rangers in front but Chris Denham equalised in the 58th minute. The point keeps Stafford in 22nd position but importantly takes us a small step near to fifth-from bottom Farsley Celtic who went down 1-0 at Grays Athletic.
Following a two-week break, Phil Robinson made two changes to the starting line-up. Richard Sutton returned from injury to replace suspended skipper Wayne Daniel in a reshuffled defence while David McNiven partnered Neil Grayson up front with Nathan Smith on the bench.
Only one of Droylsden's four ex-Rangers players was involved with Liam Murray playing in central defence. Ged Murphy and Alex Gibson had to be content with just a kick around after not even making the subs bench while Robin Gibson has been loaned to Nantwich Town. Referee Dean Mobarab was appointed at short notice and had an excellent game in charge.
Droylsden, who kicked off attacking the covered terrace at the soutern end of the ground, were the first side to go on the attack. Steve Daly got into the area from the left but his progress was cut short by Djimi Sangare's saving tackle. In the 12th minute, Kevin Street's shot was blocked inside the area. The ball ended up at Luke Potter on the left who delivered a great cross which Chris Flynn headed over.
The home side won the game's first corner which was wasted but soon after there was danger inside the Stafford area. Chris Denham's right-wing cross was aimed towards Terry Fearns inside the six-yard box and the ball was fortunately scrambled clear. Scoring opportunities were restricted though Rangers created two further openings just before the midpoint of the first half. Potter drove the ball across the face of goal with no one getting on the end and the lively Humphrey cut on from the right only to see his shot blocked.
Loach was called into action to make a comfortable save from Denham who latched onto a pass from Gareth Morris 20 yards out. Just before the half-hour mark David McNiven tried his luck from fully 35 yards out and the ball drifted wide of the right-hand post. Rangers continued to create chances. However, Samy Mawene limped off after firing over from 25 yards out. Before substitute David Oldfield could come on, Jody Bamin curled a shot over the bar from 25 yards out.
Stafford mounted a strong finish to the first half and were rewarded with a goal in stoppage time. Chris Humphrey hit a ferocious drive from the inside right channel which Phillips did well to turn round at the near post. And less than a minute before the half-time whistle, Oldfield recieved a headed clearance of his initial right-wing corner and drove the ball low from the right edge of the area to the far post where Sangare turned the ball home to score his first Stafford goal.
Less than a minute after the restart, Loach gathered up a low long-range drive from Banim. Neil Grayson tried to catch Phillips off guard with a lob which the keeper held on his line. Chris Humphrey burst down the right and got in a low cross which eluded unmarked McNiven inside the area. McNiven then chased a througball from Oldfield but Phillips raced off his line to boot the ball clear. McNiven turned provider from Humphrey who was again denied by a near-post save from Phillips.
Droylsden made a change in the 57th minute and equalised a minute later. Lee Roach, Jamie McGuire and Daly were all involved before Denham hit an unstoppable drive from just inside the area which gave Loach no chance.
The home side started to press forward. Daly received a pass from Danny Warner and fired over. Daly had another shot blocked inside the the area and a follow-up effort from McGuire took a deflection at the expense of a corner. Rangers survived and the game really came to life with both sides keep to secure maximum points. A moment of brilliance from Phillips prevented Rangers from regaining the lead in the 73rd minute. Nathan Smith, on for McNiven, broke down the right and pulled the ball back to Kevin Street. The midfielder hit a low drive from 20 yards that was destined for the net until Phillips, diving at full stretch turned the ball round with his left hand. From the corner, Grayson headed just wide.
Phillips was again at his best three minutes later saving at the near post from Humphrey. With time running out, Morris picked out unmarked Colin Cryan who saw his headed cleared by Grayson. The woodwork rescued Rangers in the 83rd minute. Banim got in a shot from the left which beat Loach and rebounded off the left-hand post to safety. In injury time at the end, Morris went for goal from fully 40 yards out. The ball bounced awkwardly in front of Loach who showed a safe pair of hands to save.
Droylsden (red/black/red) 1. Paul Phillips (capt); 2. Lee Roach, 4. Colin Cryan, 30. Liam Murray, 3. Danny Warner; 11. Chris Denham, 6. Gareth Morris, 8. Jamie McGuire, 12. Jody Banim; 10. Steve Daly, 9. Terry Fearns. Subs: 17. Kevin Lynch, 18. Phil Senior (gk), 20. Gavin Salmon (for Daly, 76), 23. Robbie Talbot (for Banim, 86), 39. Ashley Burbeary (for Fearns, 57)
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): 12. Scott Loach; 2. Richard Sutton, 6. Djimi Sangare, 25. Fred Murray (capt), 32. Luke Potter; 34. Chris Humphrey, 7. Chris Flynn, 22. Samy Mawene, 8. Kevin Street; 10. David McNiven, 9. Neil Grayson. Subs: 1. Danny Alcock (gk), 15. Nathan Smith (for McNiven, 69), 16. Tom Ingram, 24. Steve Hopkinson, 28. David Oldfield (for Mawene, 36)
Referee: Dean Moharab (Cheshire)
Attendance: 612
This match report was originally written for and published on the now defunct official Stafford Rangers website www.staffordrangers.co.uk
