Stafford Rangers Youth 1 Kettering Town Youth 3

Wednesday 12th October 2005
Stafford Rangers Youth 1 Kettering Town Youth 3
FA Youth Cup Second Qualifying Round
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: free teamsheet
Attendance: 71
Weather: rain
Duration: first-half: 45:38; second-half: 51:45

Stafford Rangers produced a brave batting performance at rain-soaked Marston Road but ended up going out of the FA Youth Cup at the Second Qualifying Round stage. They took an early lead through Richard Haynes and held it until the last fifteen minutes when the visitors scored three late goals.

Kettering (in blue) got the game underway attacing the town end in the first half.

In what was an attacking start by the young Rangers side, Darryll Johns tested Kettering keeper Aaron Cuff who failed to hold a well-struck rising shot from 20 yards. Nick Oxley got on the end of the loose ball but put it over the bar.

Rangers, however, were soon celebrating in the 12th minute. Haynes drilled a low shot though a crowd into the bottom-left corner after receiving a tapped free-kick on the edge of the area.

The lead could have been extended in the 26th minute. Full back Mike Weston dribbled into the Kettering area only to be denied a shot on goal by a tackle from Adam Randall. Cuff made a brave save at the feet of Johns as Boro continued to press forward.

Just before the interval, Johns cleverly stayed onside to latch on to a pass from Kent but sent the resulting shot wide of the target.

Kettering, who tested Rangers keeper Sam Winstanley with a couple of long-range efforts in the first half, posed plenty of problems for Boro straight from the restart. And Winstanley made a good diving save to turn round a shot from Callum Padworth.

Joe Cooper, Padworth and Andy Gould all fired wide for the visitors, and Boro skipper Ben Henderson made a great saving tackle to deny Matt Middleton a clear shot on goal.

Eventually, Kettering got back on level terms in the 77th minute. Randall crossed low into the area from the left and the dangerous Matt McCumont slid in to deflect the ball past Winstanley.

The visitors broke Rangers’ hearts by taking the lead seven minutes later when substitute Jack Hollmoore headed home a left-wing cross from Middleton. Winstanley prevented both Padworth and Emmanuel Adesico from making it three in the 88th minute.

With nothing to lose, Boro pressed forward for an equaliser and in injury time Ben Plime, on for the injured Cuff, pulled off a fine save to keep out a shot from Haynes. The resulting corner was hammered out of defence to McCumont who got clear and slotted the ball past Winstanley to put the result beyond doubt.

Stafford Rangers (black and shite stripes / black / black): 1, Sam Winstanley, 2. Will Reid, 3. Mike Weston, 4. Will Poulton, 5. Ben Henderson (capt), 6. Nick Oxley, 7. Richard Haynes, 8. Tom Kent, 9. Darryll Johns, 10. Paul Whatmough, 11. Jordan Gale. Subs: 12. Matt Marsh (not used), 14. Karl Gardinder (for Oxley, 82), 15. Craig Hulme (for Reid, 86), 16. Tom Williams (for Weston, 56), 17gk. Matt Sargeant (not used).

Kettering Town (blue/blue/blue): 1. Aaron Cuff, 2. Stuart McClarty (capt), 3. Craig Peace, 4. Callum Noble, 5. Adam Randall, 6. Craig Attwood, 7. Andy Gould, 8. Joe Cooper, 9. Matthew McCumont, 10. Matthew Middleton, 11. Callum Padworth. Subs: 12. Anish Kitinder (not used), 14. Jack Hollmoore (for Cooper, 68), 15. Emanuel Adesico (for Peace, 76), 16. Curtis Jacob-Taylor (not used), 17gk. Ben Plime (for Cuff, 68).

Referee: T. Turner (Dunston)
Assistants: I. Wylie (Burntwood) and R. Powell (Stoke).

Goals:
1-0 Richard Haynes (12)
1-1 Matthew McCumont (77)
1-2 Jack Hollmoore (84)
1-3 Matthew McCumont (90+3)

Cards: none

Totnes & Dartington SC 3 University of Exeter 1

Saturday 8th October 2005
Totnes & Dartington SC 3 University of Exeter 1
Axworthy Devon League
At: Foxhole Sports Ground
Kick-off: 2-00 pm
Admission: £2-50
Attendance: 28
Weather: rain
Duration: first-half: 46:52; second-half: 49:14

Stafford Rangers didn’t have a game today as they were knocked out of the FA Cup in an earlier round so we headed to Devon for the weekend.

Totnes & Dartington SC (blue/blue/blue): 1. Matt Congdon, 2. Gary Amart, 3. John Payne (capt), 4. Richard Whatman, 5. John Potter, 6. Aaron Palfrey, 7. Phil Atkins, 8. Mike Bishop, 9. Tom Comyn, 10. Chris Hooper, 11. Andy Widdecombe. Subs: 12. Chris Fisher (for Wiidecombe, 73), 14. Richard Gomm, 15. Neil Johansen (for Hooper, 78).

University of Exeter (green/black/black): 1. Richard Mockford, 2. Mark Griffin, 3. Craig Rimmer, 4. Adam Howe (capt), 5. Richard Lewis, 6. Ted Jennings, 7. Steven Bell, 8. Mark Chester, 9. Andrew Forward, 10. John Blundell, 11. John Hewitt. Subs: 12. Tom Howe (for Bell, 18), 14. Alex Austrabury (for Rimmer, 80).

Referee: ???

Goals:
0-1 John Blundell (53)
1-1 Chris Hooper, (64)
2-1 Tom Comyn (68)
3-1 John Payne (89 pen)

Cards:
T&D: none
University: Ted Jennings (YC, 43), Adam Howe (YC, 90)

Hednesford Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2

Saturday 1st October 2005
Hednesford Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2
Nationwide North
At: Keys Park
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: ???
Attendance: 1452
Weather: sunny, windy, dry
Duration: first-half: 45:48 second-half: 48:19

Stafford Rangers moved up into third spot in the Nationwide Conference North table with a comfortable victory at local rivals Hednesford Town. Watched by the biggest Conference North crowd of the season of 1,452, both the goals came in quick succession early in the second half. Peter Thomson and 20-year-old Nathan Smith making his first start in Rangers’ colours both found the net within the space of two minutes.

Stafford (in red), who got the game underway attacking the seated Hednesford end in the first half, weathered some early pressure during which Lee Downes cleared a header off the line from former Stafford skipper Lee Barrow. But Rangers soon got more into the game and created the majority of the scoring opportunities in a tense first half.

The lively Smith, signed from Rushall Olympic during the summer, made an impressive start and volleyed against the bar on the quarter hour. Further chances fell to Kevin Street, Thomson and Paul Groves as Rangers gained the upper against their midtable neighbours.

Just before the break, however, former Stoke and Stafford midfielder Robert Heath drove an increasingly rare chance for Hednesford straight at Dean Williams.

Stafford noticeably upped the tempo at the start of the second half. Within a minute of the restart, Barrow pulled down Smith inside the area but referee Mellor turned down appeals for a penalty.

Robin Gibson curled a shot wide of the near righ-hand post and Grayson fired over from 30 yards out before the visitors turned pressure into an opening goal scored in the 55th minute. Thomson cleverly stayed on-side to latched onto a throughball from Gibson, got clear and slotted home after rounding goalkeeper Tommy Whittle.

The lead was extended within two minutes. Thomson turned provider for Smith who lashed home an unstoppable right-foot shot into the bottom left corner which Whittle had no chance of stopping.

Groves got on the end of a Gibson corner and shot wide and Whittle tipped over a rising 25-yard shot from Gibson as Stafford went close to scoring a third.

Hednesford threw on Paul MacMahon in a bid to get something out of the game and the introduction of Hednesford player-manager Chris Brindley as an extra striker forced Stafford to defend during the last twenty minutes.

Brindley, a former Stafford player who excelled as a determined central defender, saw a header cleared off the line by Nathan Talbott in the closing stages, arguablt the Pitmen’s best chance of the whole game.

Manager Phil Robinson considered this an excellent result and performance. He added: “In derbies you have got to be brave and strong, and play with passion and pride, which we did. I think the Rangers fans can be proud of the effort the players put in.

“I felt we had just a little bit too much quality for them and going forward we always looked like we could create (scoring opportunities). We had a number of efforts on goal, had a good penalty claim turned down and a few other incidents went against us as well. I’m delighted with the 2-0 victory and thought we were worth another goal.”

Robinson highlighted the contribution of two players at Keys Park. He said: “I though Craig McAughtrie was excellent at the heart of the defence and Nathan Smith was a livewire up front. He created a lot of opportunities for himself and scored a goal that he thoroughly deserved.”

Hednesford Town (white/black/black): 1. Tom Whittle, 2. Ross Adams, 3. Mark Branch, 4. Lee Barrow (capt), 5. Richard Teasdale, 6. Lee Williams, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Rob Heath, 9. Steve Anthrobus, 10. Andy Bell, 11. Colin Hunter. Subs: 12. Paul McMahon (for Anthrobus, 60), 14. Steve Brannan (not used), 15. Tom Marshall (not used), 16. Chris Brindley (for Hunter, 67), 17. Craig Marshall (for Bell, 80).

Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Neil Grayson, 7. Lee Downes, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Peter Thomson, 10. Nathan Smith, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Alan Dodd (for Daniel, 85), 14. Phil Robinson (for Smith, 77), 15. Dave Walker (not used), 16. Liam Murray (not used), 17. Danny Edwards (for Gibson, 77).

Referee: G. Mellor (Derby).
Assistants: J. G. Adcock and C. J. Marshall.

Goals:
0-1 Peter Thomson (55)
0-2 Nathan Smith (57)

Cards:
Hednesford: Steve Anthrobus (YC, 28)
Stafford: none

Stafford Rangers 2 Hucknall Town 0

Saturday 13th August 2011
Stafford Rangers 2 Hucknall Town 0
Nationwide North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £2 (48 pages)
Attendance: 634
Weather: Rain
Duration: first-half: 46:38; second-half: 47:30

Two goals scored in four minutes midway through the second half against a spirited Hucknall Town side gave Stafford Rangers their first opening day victory since 2001.

New signing Vill Powell converted a penalty in the 69th minute then kept a move alive that led to Neil Grayson heading home the second goal.

The visitors could have taken the lead inside the first minute. Mark Ward got a powerful free-kick on target which Stafford’s on-loan goalkeeper Joe Anyon failed to hold but the ball was scrambled clear.

Kevin Street, on his Stafford debut, fired inches over the bar though Hucknall put the home side under pressure winning three corners in quick succession. Hucknall’s new striker Robert Gill drove across the face of goal as chances continued to be created in what was a lively and sometimes frantic start.

However, Hucknall suffered a major blow when striker Gary Ricketts limped off after just 19 minutes and their reorganised forward line posed less of a threat.

Stafford gradually got on top and almost took the lead in the 25th minute. Powell got the better of Alistair Asher down the left and found Nathan Talbott inside the area who forced a near-post save out of James Lindley.

As the interval approached, Street set up Robin Gibson who beat Lindley with a clever lob only to see the ball shave the top of the bar.

Stafford dominated after the break and unmarked Grayson couldn’t quick get his head to Street’s long ball. Lee Downes also saw a low drive kept out by the diving Lindley.

Eventually Stafford turned their dominance into a goal midway through the second half. Grayson was brought down inside the area by Phil Rowland Powell buried the resulting penalty.

Powell’s determination to prevented the ball going out for a goal kick led to Stafford extending their lead in the 73rd minute. Neil Grayson gave Lindley no chance with a close-range header to convert the resulting cross delivered by Downes.

Stafford continued to press and substitute Peter Thomson was unlucky not to mark his debut with a goal. He twice drilled low shots inches wide and also narrowly missed with a header from Street’s corner.

Lively Hucknall replacement Tom Groves should have reduced the deficit when unmarked the area. But, after getting on the end of a Rowland’s cross, he sliced a shot wide.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Joe Anyon, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Levi Reid, 7. Lee Downes, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Vill Powell, 10. Neil Grayson, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Peter Thomson (for Gibson, 65), 14. Liam Murray (not used), 15. Alan Dodd (not used), 16. Dave Walker (for Powell, 90), 17. Craig Lovatt (not used).

Hucknall Town (sky blue with claret sleeves / claret / sky blue): 1. James Lindley, 2. Alistair Asher, 3. Chris Beech, 4. Phil Rowland, 5. Chris Timons (capt), 6. Russell Cooke, 7. Mark Ward, 8. Steve Palmer, 9. Gary Ricketts, 10. Robert Gill, 11. Mark Smith. Subs: 12. Chris Davies (for Ricketts, 20), 14. Tom Groves (for Davies, 69), 15. Curtis Mellars, 16. Tom Carter (for Smith, 66), 17. Eugene Francis.

Referee: P. I. Thompson (Chesterfield).
Assistants: S. R. Gerrard (Shrewsbury) and M. G. Myatt (Telford).

Goals:
1-0 Vill Powell (69 pen)
2-0 Neil Grayson (72)

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Nathan Talbott

Stafford Rangers 2 AFC Telford United 0

Saturday 6th August 2005
Stafford Rangers 2 AFC Telford United 0
Pre-season Friendly
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: 20p (4 pages)
Attendance: 517
Weather: sunny spells
Duration: first-half: 47:16; second-half: 46:08

Stafford Rangers rounded off their pre-season friendly programme with a comfortable two-goal victory. New signing Vill Powell put them ahead on 28 minutes and Robin Gibson put the outcome beyond doubt with a second goal just past the hour mark.

In a lively start to what was an entertaining friendly, Lee Downes lifted an early shot over visitors’ bar. Stafford continued to press and Neil Grayson deep left-wing cross was headed down to Peter Thomson who saw a goalbound shot blocked by a defender. Levi Reid also got in a looping header that United goalkeeper Steve Taylor comfortably held.

United took a while to settle but when they did Roy Jordan sent a couple of shots over the bar and Stafford goalkeeper Lewis Solly bravely gathered Glenn Tolley’s free-kick at the feet of Duane Courtney.

Powell was unlucky not to find the target with a shot across the face of the United goal in the 28th minute but the former Grays Athletic striker made no mistake a minute later. Latching onto a throughball down the left, he got past Gary Price and drilled a low shot into the opposite bottom right corner of the net.

Rangers quickly got on the attack at the start of the second half. Substitute Alex Gibson found Powell who hit a speculative rising shot that Taylor comfortable held.

However, Telford who included our ex-Boro Tom Griffin, started to cause a few problems. On 49 minutes, a quickly-taken free-kick released Darren Alexander and the former Rocester centre-forward hit a low shot which Solly did well to keep out at the near post. Damien Charie headed over and Tolley fired wide as United continued to try and get back on level terms. Substitute Alfie Carter, caused problems for his former club, and he delivered a dangerous low cross that Alex Gibson cleared at the expense of a corner.

However, Stafford survived and scored a second goal in the 62nd minute. Powell fed Robin Gibson and the resulting shot may have lacked power but deceived Taylor on its way into the net with the aid of a deflection off Tom Barnett.

Stafford though they had added a third three minutes later. Thomson put the ball into the bet only to be denied by a raised assistant referee’s flag for offside.

Despite substitutions at regular intervals, the game remained non-the-less entertaining. Dave Walker sent a low ball across the face of the United goal which Leon Drysdale cleared as unmarked Danny Edwards ran in at the far post. From the resulting corner, Liam Murray turned and fired inches over.

Near the end, Stafford could have added a third goal. Found by Walker, Edwards crossed low towards unmarked Nathan Talbott in front of goal who was denied a clear shot by Damian Charie’s tackle.

Stafford Rangers (black and white strips / black / blakc): 1. Lewis Solly, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Liam Murray, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Levi Reid, 7. Lee Downes, 8. Neil Grayson, 9. Vill Powell, 10. Peter Thomson, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Danny Edwards (for Thomson, 71), 14. Dave Walker (for Grayson, 77), 15. Alex Gibson (for Daniel, 43), 16. Alex Gibbons (for Reid, 62), 16. Gary Fife (for R. Gibson, 77), 17. Nathan Smith (for Powell, 77), 17. Chris Milliard (not used), 18. Dave Woodvine (not used), 19gk. Will Smith(not used).

AFC Telford United (sky blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Steve Taylor, 2. Leon Drysdale, 3. Tom Griffin, 4. Duane Courtney (capt), 5. Gary Price, 6. Tom Barnett, 7. Roy Jordan, 8. Damien Charie, 9. Kyle Perry, 10. Darren Alexander, 11. Glenn Tolley. Subs: 12. Bruce Wheeler (for Tolley, 68), 14. Craig Ryan (for Jordan, 68), 15. Liam Turner (for Perry, 73), 16. Dale Williams (for Griffin, 68), X. Alfie Carter (for Alexander, 59), X. Neil Howarth (for Price, ht).

Referee: Terry Holbrook (Wolverhampton).

Goals:
1-0 Vill Powell (29)
2-0 Robin Gibson (62)

Cards:
Stafford: none
AFC Telford: none

Sutton Coldfield Town 0 Stafford Rangers 3

Tuesday 2nd August 2005
Sutton Coldfield Town 0 Stafford Rangers 3
Pre-Season Friendly
At: Coles Lane
Kick-off: 7-30 pm
Programme: none
Attendance: 110 (headcount)
Weather: bright, mild
Duration: first-half: 45:05; second-half: 46:50

Stafford Rangers got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory at Coles Lane. Peter Thomson and skipper Wayne Daniel both found the net during the opening 16 minutes and substitute Gary Fife added a third goal shortly before the full-time whistle.

With several key players resting injuries, including new signing Vill Powell, Stafford player-manager Phil Robinson named an experimental side which included former Port Vale midfielder Levi Reid. Liam Murray, a trialist from Shrewsbury Town, also played the whole game as Daniel’s partner in the heart of the defence.

Sutton, from the Southern League Western Division outfit, were lacking their injured former Stafford midfielder David Berks.

Rangers got the game underway attacking the social club end in the first half and survived a couple of early scares. Will Smith got down to turn round a narrow-angled shot from Damian Markham and Darren Mashingham headed wide at the far post from the resulting corner.

However, Stafford took the lead in the 12th minute. Danny Edwards delivered a deep cross which Neil Grayson headed down for Peter Thomson to stab home his first Boro goal at close range.

Further chances followed. Daniel headed against the Sutton bar and Grayson sent another header wide but it was no surprise when the lead was extended in the 17th minute. Home keeper Tony Breedon turned round Levi Reid’s low 25-yard drive and captain Wayne Daniel put away a first-time header from the resulting corner.

Rangers continued to dominate with Dave Walker and Reid narrowly missing the target. Breedon pulled off another good save to keep out a long-range effort from Lee Downes.

Sutton made a bright start to the second half against an unchanged Stafford line-up. And despite Robinson calling for his side to “buzz again”, the home side almost reduced the deficit 11 minutes after the restart. Rory May hit a spectacular shot from outside the area which flew over Will Smith only for the ball to rebound off the bar. Nathan Moran also sent a header inches over.

Rangers finished the game on the attack and the lively Nathan Smith forced a save out of Sutton’s replacement keeper Dale Belford. Eventually in the 89th minute, good work from Nathan Smith set up Gary Fife who slotted home from a narrow angle.

Sutton were denied a consolation goal in injury time when Chris Milliard pulled off an amazing goal-line clearance to keep out a header from Darren Massingham.

Sutton Coldfield Town (blue/blue/blue): 1. Tony Breedon, 2. Jon Branch, 3. Craig Hancox, 4. Lucan Spittle, 5. Nathan Moran (capt), 6. Danny Haines, 7. Craig Owen, 8. Darren Massingham, 9. Rory May, 10. Damian Markman, 11. Liam Hibbert. Subs: 12. Justin Rowe (for Markman, 63), 14. Trialist (for Owen, 73), 15. Trialist (for Hibbert, 71), 16. John Daniels (for Haines, ht), 17. Trialist (for Branch, ht), X. Andy Ling, GK. Dale Belford (for Breedon, 54), 11. Liam Hibbert (returned for May, 85)

Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Will Smith, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Liam Murray, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Levi Reid, 7. Lee Downes, 8. Neil Grayson, 9. Peter Thomson, 10. Dave Walker, 11. Danny Edwards. Subs: 12. Fife (for Thomson, 63), 14. Alex Gibson (for Groves, 63), 15. Nathan Smith (for Walker, 63), 16. Chris Milliard (for Edwards, 77), 17. Alex Gibbons (for Reid, 68), X. Dave Woodwine (for Grayson, 81), GK. Lewis Solly (not used).

Referee: Danny Gratton.

Goals:
0-1 Peter Thomson (12)
0-2 Wayne Daniel (17)
0-3 Gary Fife (89)

Cards:
Sutton: none
Stafford: none

Fegg Hayes 1 Holt JCB 1

Saturday 14th May 2005
Fegg Hayes 1 Holt JCB 1
Staffordshire Senior League Division 1
At: High Lane
Kick-off: 2-30pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Attendance: 40 (headcount)
Weather: warm and sunny, strong wind
Duration: first-half: 45:57; second-half: 48:08

Division One champions Fegg Hayes rested several players as they wrapped up their successful 2004/05 season with a 1-1 draw over Holt JCB. They needed a very late equaliser from Kane Brookes to cancel out an opening goal scored for the visitors midway through the second half by Mark Adams.

Fegg Hayes play at a open recreation ground on High Lane near Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. The pitch ran lengthways from the car park at the south end with portable dugouts positioned down the right-hand touchline closest to the road.

With photographer Malc Hampton also at the game, Holt JCB (in blue) got the game underway attacking the car park end in the first half. The best chance of the first half fell to Holt’s Tom Pope who burst through and saw his resulting shot blocked by the boot for Fegg Hayes goalkeeper Richard Harrison.

Following the goalless first half, Holt’s goalkeeper Andrew Cooper produced a decent save to turn round a header from Michael Ibinson.

The visitors took the lead in the 67th minute. Mark Adams picked up the ball inside the area on the left and sent a low shot into the far corner of the net via the post.

Fegg Hayes salvaged a point with a 90th minute equaliser, scrambled home at close range by Kane Brookes.

Fegg Hayes (grey with black sleeves / black / white): 1. Richard Harrison, 2. John Johnson, 3. Gavin Wood, 4. Chris Oakes (capt), 5. Steven Harrison, 6. Kane Brookes, 7. Michael Ibinson, 8. Bjorn Ormond, 9. Kyle Brookes, 10. Carl Mountford, 11. Neil Seadon. Subs: 12. Scott Wiggins (for Ormond, 59), 14. Steve Cole (for Harrison, 78), 15. Darren Rawlings (not used), 16. Ashley Mountford (not used), 17. Jimmy Deacon (for Mountford, ht).

Holt JCB (blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Andrew Cooper, 2. Lee Bloor, 3. Mark Alcock, 4. Eddy Bloor, 5. Darren Harding, 6. Phil Foreman (capt), 7. Darren Colclough, 8. Steve Parker, 9. Tom Pope, 10. Mark Adams, 11. Chris Mason. Subs: 12. Dave Thomas (for Mason, 87), 14. Glyn Pattinson (for Lee Bloor, 85), 15. Dan Brassington (not used), 16. John Anstey (not used), 17. Robert Shirley (for Harding, 90+3).

Referee: Mr Clews (Chell).

Goals:
0-1 Mark Adams (67)
1-1 Kane Brookes (90)

Cards:
Fegg Hayes: John Johnson (YC, 61), Michael Ibinson (YC, 81)
Holt JCB: none