Saturday 12th March 2005
Southport 0 Stafford Rangers 0
Nationwide North
At: Haig Avenue
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: ???
Attendance: 1343
Weather: Sunny, windy
Duration: first-half: 46:37; second-half: 47:25
Stafford Rangers bounced back from two-straight defeats by gaining a thoroughly deserved point at Southport. And, with a bit of luck, they could have returned from their trip to the Conference North leaders with a victory. Phil Robinson’s side survived thirty minutes of near constant pressure from the home side at Haig Avenue before being more than a match for Southport during the last hour. Rangers had headers cleared off the line just before the break from both Wayne Daniel, playing as a forward, and Craig McAughtrie. The latter also saw a second-half 25-yard free kick rebound off the bar. Former Stafford defender Farrell Kilbane missed an easy chance late in the game, heading over a Steve Pickford cross when unmarked.
With key players missing through injury and suspension, Stafford manager Phil Robinson drafted in Alex Gibson for his first league start since rejoining the club and played skipper Wayne Daniel in an unfamiliar forward-line role. Two promising youngsters, Bryon Benton and Richie Miller were named amongst the substitutes.
Southport got the game underway defending the covered terrace end in the first half – right to left in relation to my seat in the main stand press box. They went on the attack straight from the kick-off and totally dominated the opening half hour. Kevin Lynch, Kevin Leadbetter and Terry Fearns all had shots saved by Stafford keeper Will Smith. On 14 minutes, Leadbetter beat the diving Smith from 20-yards out but, fortunately for Stafford, the ball hit the right-hand post. The same player also volleyed wide and Neil Robinson sent a header wide under pressure from Craig McAughtrie.
But Stafford survived, and started to cause problems for the home side. Craig Wilding headed over before Daniel had a header cleared off the line by Carl Baker on 39 minutes. McAughtrie was went just as close shortly afterwards; his header also from a Robin Gibson corner was blocked on the line by Jerome Fitzgerald.
McAughtrie came to Stafford’s rescue in first-half injury time by heading an inswinging corner by Leadbetter off the line, which Smith had failed to claim.
Just like the latter stages of the first half, the second half either side could have won all three points. Leadbetter, Fearns, Daniel and Craig Lovatt all went close before Stafford almost took the lead on 59 minutes. McAughtrie beat home keeper Steve Dickinson with a curling 25-yard free kick, only for the ball to rebound off the bar.
Roared on by their biggest home crowd of the season, Southport once more put Stafford under pressure. But the tightest defence in Conference North was determined to record yet another clean sheet and Will Smith pulled off a great save to stop a close-range shot from Steve Pickford. Unmarked former Stafford defender Farrell Kilbane could have also won the game late on, heading a Pickford cross over the bar.
Phil Robinson was proud of the way his side played. He said: “I though the attitude and commitment from everyone on the pitch was excellent. It was a game that may be we could have got a little more out of.”
Southport (yellow/black/black): 1. Steve Dickinson, 2. Steve Pickford (capt), 3. Jerome Fitzgerald, 4. Farrell Kilbane, 5. Neil Fitzhenry, 6. Dominic Morley, 7. Carl Baker, 8. Kevin Lynch, 9. Terry Fearns, 10. Neil Robinson, 11. Kevin Leadbetter. Subs: 12. Ian Lowe (not used), 14. Earl Davis (not used), 15. Jimmy Williams (for Baker, 75), 16. Chris Price (not used), 17. Steven Daly (for Robinson, 75).
Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Will Smith, 2. Alex Gibson, 3. Alan Dodd, 4. Chris Smith, 5. Craig McAughtrie, 6. Craig Lovatt, 7. Nathan Talbott, 8. Robert Heath, 9. Wayne Daniel (capt), 10. Craig Wilding, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. David Norton (not used), 14. Richard Beale (for Heath, 75), 15. Gary Fife (not used), 16. Richie Miller (not used), 17. Byron Benton (not used).
Referee: Rick Wooton (Yorkshire).
Assistants: M. Beverley and M. A. Powell.
Goals: none
Cards:
Southport:
Stafford: Chris Smith (YC, 68)
