Stafford Rangers 0 Eastwood Town 2
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £11; Programme: £2
Attendance: 338
Weather: mild, dry
Duration: first-half: 46:00; second-half: 49:06
The last home league game at Marston Road this season and another defeat. And, it looks like Stafford Rangers will need to win both of their two remaining games to have any chance of avoiding relegation, and hope that Hyde fail to win any of their last three games. Boro’ remain two points from safety with an inferior goal difference after another tame performance allowed Eastwood to ease to a 2-0 victory. With a starting line-up showing five changes from Saturday, they started brightly playing with passion fight and spirit though that all changed when the visitors took the lead in the 15th minute with a Jermaine Johnson own goal. Up to half-time, Eastwood could have scored again as defender David Haggerty twice headed against the bar and man-of-the-match Lee Evans produced a couple of good saves. Rangers’ best effort all game was a well-struck left foot shot from Marco Addagio on the half-hour which was tipped over by John Danby. In the second half, Ben Mills twice went close to scoring an equaliser and Eastwood wrapped up the win with a spectacular strike in the second minute of stoppage time from substitute Peter Knox.Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Lee Evans, 2. Andre Francis, 3. Craig Reid, 4. Jermaine Johnson, 5. Craig McAughtrie (capt), 6. Mark Dudley, 7. Niall Maguire, 8. Luke Keen, 9. Ben Mills, 10. Marco Adaggio, 11. Sean Kinsella. Subs: 12. Callum Wright (not used), 14. Danny Edwards (for Adaggio, 62), 15. Martyn Naylor (not used), 16. Fabrice Kasiama (for Reid, 68), 17gk. Tom Turner (not used).
Eastwood Town (red/red/red): 1. John Danby, 2. Russell Cooke, 3. Chris Shaw, 4. Michael Simpson (capt), 5. David Haggerty, 6. Adie Hawes, 7. John D’Laryea, 8. Lee Stevenson, 9. Lindon Meikle, 10. Matt Rhead, 11. Andy Todd. Subs: 12. Peter Knox (for Meikle, 76), 14. Anton Foster (not used), 15. Adam Muller (not used), 16. Paul Riley (not used), 17. Emeka Ndwakie (for Simpson, 90+3).
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Ashton-under-Lyme).
Assistants: Simon Mather and John Walton (both Droylsden).
Goals:
0-1 Jermaine Johnson (15 og)
0-2 Peter Knox (90+2)
Cards:
Stafford: none
Eastwood: Russell Cooke (YC, 9), Michael Simpson (YC, 43), Lee Stevenson (YC, 73)
