Blue Square Premier
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 981
Stafford Rangers produced the battling performance demanded by manager Steve Bull MBE only to suffer a narrow defeat at the hands of runaway league leaders Aldershot Town.
Rob Elvins put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute but Nick Wellecomme netted his first Stafford goal just after the hour mark to level things up. However, John Grant scored what proved to be the winner three minutes later.
Both managers made four changes. For Stafford, compared to the side that started at Altrincham on Monday, Djimi Sangare was serving the first of a two-match ban, Marco Adaggio was missing with a hamstring injury, Matt Hazley has been released and Steve Hopkinson was amongst the substitutes. Coming into the starting line-up were Nathan Smith, Samy Mawene, Ishmale Reid and new signing Jonathan Loukes. Aldershot were able to start with midfielder Scott Davies after they have appealed against his red card at Droylsden two days ago.
Stafford chose to attack the Social Club end in the first half looking to take advantage of a strong wind which turned out to perhaps ber a hinderance to both sides particularly in the first half. Aldershot kicked off and in the 4th minute John Grant fired wide of the near post from the left-hand side of the area.
Mawene shot wide of the near right-hand post and in the 11th minute forced Nikki Bull to tip over a serving shot hit from 20 yards. Lewis Chalmers drove over the Stafford bar from 25 yards out from Louie Soares laid back.
On the quarter hour Mawene fired a wind-assisted 40-yard free-kick threw a populated area and wide of the left-hand post, hoping for a deflection. Grant fired wide as Aldershot broke forward and defender Rob Gier got up with the attack to pull a shot well wide of the left-hand post. The visitors created a good chance in the 24th minute. Elvins crossed from the left and Grant put his header wide.
Loukes on his debut was booked in the 31st minute just before Bull did well to turn round a rising shot from Reid at the expense of a corner. Danny Alcock raced off his line to block a shot from Ben Harding who got on the end of Scott Davies' throughball.
Aldershot took the lead in the 41st minute. Soares fed Elvins who curled a shot from the left side of the area past Alcock and into the opposite side of the net. In first-half stoppage time Harding thumped a free-kick straight at Alcock from 25 yards out.
The visitors made a change at the interval with Scott Donnelly replacing the injured Davies. Stafford had a go at the start of the second half and Reid sent a 30-yard free-kick over the bar. Richie Sutton also shot over as well. Alcock produced a fine save in the 53rd minute to tip over a dipping 35-yard volley from Elvins.
Stafford got back on level terms in the 62nd minute. Smith got space on the right to deliver a perfect cross for Wellecomme to power a header past Bull from no more than eight yards out.
Three minutes later, Aldershot won a corner which Donnelly delivered into the six-yard box for Grant to head home.
Rangers showed spirit in battling for an equaliser and in the 71st minute Mawene crossed from the right. Wellecomme dived bravely at the ball and sent a header inches wide of the right-hand post.
In the 78th minute, Damion Jarrett replaced Smith and Elvins was booked four minutes later for a foul on Alcock. Stafford didn't give up the fight. Jarrett fired over from Reid's pass and Bull dived to his left to hold a volley by Jarrett. Aldershot made a second change in stoppage time, Danny Hylton replaced Grant, Alcock prevented Elvins from adding a third Aldershot goal just before the end.
Teams
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Danny Alcock, 38. Alex Gibson, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 2. Richie Sutton, 7. Chris Flynn, 22. Samy Mawene 17. Ross Draper, 43. Jonathan Loukes, 30. Ishmale Reid, 42. Nick Wellecombe, 15. Nathan Smith. Subs: 35. Damion Jarrett (for Smith, 78), 18. Alan Dodd, 19. Seb Arnolin, 24, Steve Hopkinson, 33. Danny Allen (gk)
Aldershot Town (red / red / red): 1. Nikki Bull, 20. Rob Gier, 18. David Winfield, 5. Rhys Day (capt), 6. Anthony Charles, 7. Louie Soares, 8. Lewis Chalmers, 16. Scott Davies, 19. Ben Harding, 9. John Grant, 10. Rob Elvins. Subs: 24. Scott Donnelly (for Davies, ht), 14. Danny Hylton (for Grant, 90), 17. Kirk Hudson, 25. Junior Mendes, 33. Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz (gk).
Referee: M. Matadar (Lancashire)
Attendance: 981 (inc 417 away fans)
This match report was originally written for and published on the now defunct www.staffordrangers.co.uk
