MATCH REPORT STAFFORD RANGERS 3 DROYLSDEN 1 EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2014 Rangers recorded back to back home wins in the league for the first time in over 12 months as they overcame Droylsden in the clash of the NPL’s bottom two. Dan Cope gave the Boro the perfect start on 4 mins. There didn’t look much of a threat when Cope collected a loose ball just inside the Droylsden half but he left Bloods keeper Craig Dootson helpless when he unleashed a 30 yard screamer into the top corner. It was all Rangers as debutant Ian Craney controlled midfield affairs and James McCarthy went close to adding a second when he shot across the face of the Droylsden goal. Dootson saved from Sean Kinsella on 16 mins but moments later Craney doubled the lead via the inside of the post following an excellent lay off from McCarthy. John Lynch prevented Cope extending the lead further and Matt Burke went wide from just outside the area. Finally, the visitors gave Jon Brain some work to do but the Rangers keeper proved he was up to the task when he kept out Sam Freakes. But Dootson remained the busier of the two keepers, diving to his left to deny McCarthy then making a brave save to keep out another McCarthy effort after he hold only been able to parry the initial shot from Kinsella. Droylsden’s Sam Madeley worked hard to create an opening and forced Brain into another good save low to his left while Cope should have put Rangers three up on the stroke of half time only to blaze over from 8 yards out. The visitors began the second half well but Rangers responded and McCarthy made it 3-0 on 57 mins when he ran on to a long ball from Jermaine Johnson to slot past Dootson. The visitors pulled a goal back on 69 mins when Madeley forced the ball home from close range following a powerful goalwards header from former Rangers midfielder Ged Murphy. The visitors threatened again but lacked where it mattered and after withstanding what Droylsden had to offer, Rangers finished the game the stronger of the two sides. Sub Alex Curtis did well on the left to beat Ben McNamara but neither of his fellow replacements was able to add the finishing touch as the ball flew past Karl Ashton and Jack Lees. Curtis was denied a first senior goal for the club in stoppage time when Dootson pushed his terrific shot on to the post. Report by Chris Elsley
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 22:29:38 +0000
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