Saturday 28th April 2007

Stafford Rangers 0 Forest Green Rovers 1
Nationwide Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 1791
Weather: warm and sunny

Tuesday 24th April

Stafford Rangers Reserves 5 Bromsgrove Rovers Reserves 2
Central Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Attendance: 58
Weather: -


Kevin Street scored twice in the first half as he returned to action following a long injury layoff. The midfielder gained 90 minutes of valuable match practice, as did manager Phil Robinson. Street headed Rangers into the lead in the 6th minute when he got on the end of a cross from Ed Booth. Bromsgrove scored twice in 12 minutes through Kalan McNally (25) and Adam Hooper (37 pen) but Street finished off a fine move in injury time to level things up at the interval. Stafford dominated the second half, scoring three unanswered goals from Steve Bibby (66), Booth (83) and Richard Haynes (90).

Stafford Rangers: Sargeant, Francis, Skinner, Dacres, Richards, Booth (capt), Hopkinson, Linford, P. Robinson, Street, Reid. Subs: Haynes (for Reid, 55), Bibby (for Francis, 63), Riley (for Richards, 73), Hathaway, Allen.

Saturday 21st April

Oxford United 2 Stafford Rangers 0
Nationwide Conference
At: Kassam Stadium
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 7007
Weather: -


It was always going to be a difficult task to take points off second-placed Oxford United and so it proved.

Rangers were undone by Chris Zebroski’s opener scored just before the interval and an unfortunate own goal from skipper Wayne Daniel on the hour.

Neil Grayson finished the game in goal after Robbie Duggan was forced off midway through injury in the second half.

With an unchanged starting line-up for the third straight game, Rangers had the first attempt on goal. From a short tapped free kick, Craig McAughtrie forced a straight-forward save out of Oxford ’keeper Billy Turley, once on the books of Stafford during the early 1990s.

Once they got in gear, Oxford played some delightful passing football with Rangers impressing as well. Carl Pettefer drove over while Luke Foster narrowly missed with two left-foot strikes.

At the other end, Turley needed to tip over from Ged Murphy direct from a free-kick.

Duggan was initially hurt on the half-hour when falling awkwardly after punching clear a long throw.

Oxford took the lead in the 40th minute with big slice of luck. Barry Quinn’s weakly-struck free kick hit the wall, fell to Luke Foster who went for goal and the ball was turned in by Zebroski.

Luck played a part in Oxford’s second goal on the hour. Andy Burgess’ low left-wing cross hit both Daniel and Nathan Talbott inside the six-yard box before crossing the line. Daniel was officially credited with an own goal.

Stand-in keeper Grayson pulled off a couple of useful saves, first from Zebroski and another diving stop to deny Yemi Odabade.

Oxford United (yellow/navy blue/navy blue): Turley, Corcoran, Quinn, Day, L. Foster, Pettefer, Hargreaves, M. Foster, Burgess, Duffy, Zebroski. Subs: Anaclet (for Quinn, ht), Johnson (for Pettefer, 77), Obabade (for Duffy, 77), Tardiff, Robinson.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/red/red): Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Talbott, Griffith, Lovatt, Murphy, R. Gibson, Madjo, Grayson. Subs: Lorougnon (for Murphy, 55), Edwards (for R. Gibson, 60), White (for Duggan, 67), Reid, A. Gibson.

Bookings: Burgess, Quinn (both Oxford); Murphy, Grayson (both Rangers).

Referee: Russell Fletcher (Derbyshire).
Attendance: 7,007 (inc 268 away fans).

Tuesday 17th April

Stafford Rangers 2 Northwich Victoria 0
Nationwide Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Attendance: 1049
Weather: -


Stafford Rangers gave their survival hopes a real boost with a victory over a Northwich side in the middle of a hectic end-of-season schedule. Guy Madjo scored both goals in the second half to take his tally to 14 for the season.

The visitors made a bright start and Robbie Duggan pulled off a good diving save to turn round a low drive from Kevin Townson.

But Stafford got on top and dominated the final hour. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 73rd minute. Substitute Ange Lorougnon fed Guy Madjo who powered a shot past Ben Connett who couldn’t keep the ball out despite getting a touch.

Rangers need a second goal and there was huge relief around Marston Road when it came in the 87th minute. Madjo and Lorougnon chased a long ball, both got past the last defender, Gareth Griffiths, and the former fired home.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Talbott, Griffith, Lovatt, Murphy, R. Gibson, Madjo, Grayson. Subs: Lorougnon (for Murphy, 67), Reid, Edwards, Murray, White.

Northwich Victoria (green and white hoops/white/white): Connett, Roberts, Griffiths, Charnock, Battersby, Mayman, McCarthy, Carr, Smart, Dean, Townson. Subs: Shaw (for Dean, 77). Byrne (for Smart, 80), Brown (for Griffiths, 88), Brayson, Roca.

Bookings: Sutton (Rangers); Battersby, Dean (both Northwich).

Referee: Jake Collin (Liverpool).
Attendance: 1,049 (inc 137 away fans).

Saturday 14th April

Stafford Rangers 0 York City 0
Nationwide Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 1297
Weather: sunny


The general consensus was ‘a point gained rather than two dropped’ after Stafford Rangers held play-off chasing York City to a goalless draw at a sun-baked Marston Road.

Few chances were created in a game which was tight from start to finish. Play was by and large a midfield battle with defences very much on top when the ball got forward into the final third.

Stafford keeper Robbie Duggan pulled off a fine save to keep his side on level terms. He tipped over a well-struck drive from Neal Bishop.

In the second half, Neil Grayson volleyed wide while Guy Madjo was denied by Danny Parslow’s well-timed saving tackle inside the area.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Talbott, Griffith, Lovatt, Murphy, R. Gibson, Madjo, Grayson. Subs: White (for Grayson, 83), Reid, Edwards, Murray, Lorougnon.

York City (yellow/blue/blue): Evans, Purkiss, McGurk, Parslow, James, Woolford, Panther, Bishop, Bowey, Farrell, Donaldson. Subs: Brodie (for Bowey, 25), Convery (for Brodie, 57), Gamble, Greenwood, Lloyd.

Bookings: Griffith, Murphy (both Rangers); Purkiss (York)

Referee: Colin Harwood (Manchester).
Attendance: 1,297 (inc 497 away fans).

Wednesday 11th April

Stafford Rangers Reserves 4 Burton Albion 0
Central Conference League Cup
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Attendance: -
Weather: -



Two goals each from Ange Lorougnon (26, 70) and Danny Edwards (54, 71) made sure Stafford Rangers Reserves rounded off their League Cup round-robin games in style. Dolapo Olaoye came on as a second-half substitute as he continued his recovery from injury.

Stafford Rangers: Alcock, A. Gibson, Murray, Hopkinson, Richards, Booth, Francis, Linford, Lorougnon, Oldfield, Edwards. Subs: Haynes (for Lorougnon, 80), Olaoye (for Oldfield, 76), Dacres (for Hopkinson, 51), Hathaway, Thompson.

Monday 9th April (3-00 pm)

Aldershot Town 4 Stafford Rangers 2
Nationwide Conference
At: Recreation Ground
Kick-off 3-00 pm
Attendance: 1734
Weather: sunny


Stafford Rangers suffered a third-straight defeat, this time in the Bank Holiday sunshine at Aldershot Town.

Striker Guy Madjo got Rangers back on level terms twice during a pulsating first half but Aldershot scored two unanswered goals during the second half to claim the points.

Stafford almost took an early lead when Robin Gibson saw a close-range shot cleared off the line following good work by Madjo and Levi Reid.

But the home side soon got in from with a spectacular strike in the 6th minute. The impressive Ryan Williams, who caused problems all afternoon sent a dipping volley from the left dipping over the helpless Robbie Duggan.

Aldershot continued to relentlessly press forward and created a host of further chances with Louis Soares and Mike Molesley going closest with shots flying just over the bar.

At times this season Stafford haven’t enjoyed much luck but they got back in contention with the help of two controversial decisions.

In the 28th minute, Aldershot had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Craig McAughtrie, the last defender, and John Grant tangled inside the Stafford area.

Home fans had hardly simmered down when Madjo looked to latch onto Reid’s long ball in an offside decision a minute later. The striker proceeded to round keeper Nikki Bull and slot into an empty net.

The game momentarily became scrappy as referee Mr Ford showed three yellow cards in quick succession before there was further controversy surrounding Aldershot second goal scored in the 35th minute. Williams left Nathan Talbott on the ground clutching his face before whipping in a far post cross from the right which Grant slotted home.

A statuesque Rangers defence allowed Kirk Hudson to volley inches wide as Aldershot kept up the unrelenting tempo.

However, Madjo again got his side back on level terms during first-half injury time. Reid’s left-wing corner was cleared upfield for Richie Sutton to loft back into the home area. McAughtrie flicked the ball into the path of Madjo who somehow squeezed the ball home from a narrow angle to net his 12th goal of the season.

Phil Robinson made a tactical change at the interval with Neil Grayson replacing Reid and for a while Rangers appearing to be coping better with Aldershot’s threat.

Ricky Newman thought he’d scored in the 59th minute when a rising 30-yard drive bounced down off the underside off the bar onto the line but home fans were celebrating two minutes later.

Hudson cut in from the right and laid the ball back for Williams to score again at close range.

With the game still played at a frantic pace, it was no surprise that Rangers’ part-timers tired during their second game in three days.

And a good move involving Grant, Louis Soares and Hudson led to Aldershot putting the outcome beyond doubt in the 70th minute. Dixon did well to finish from eight yards despite the close attention of two defenders.

Duggan pulled off a fine save to turn round a low 20-yarder from substitute Mark Prichard as Aldershot looked to find the net again.

Danny Edwards replaced Andy White and set up a good chance for Madjo to complete his hat-trick. However, the striker headed over and Rangers were left stunned.

Aldershot Town (red and blue quarters/red/blue): Bull, Soares, Charles, Day, Barnard, Hudson, Molesley, Newman, Williams, John Grant, Dixon (Pritchard, 72). Subs not used: Wells, Winfield, Hylton, Beckford.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Talbott, R. Gibson, Griffith, Lovatt (A. Gibson, 85), Reid (Grayson, 46), Madjo, White (Edwards, 79). Subs not used: Alcock, Murray.

Referee: D. Ford (Reading).
Attendance: 1,734.

Monday 9th April

Sheerwater 1 Chobham 2
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Div 2
At:
Kick-off:
Attendance:
Weather: sunny

Saturday 7th April

Stafford Rangers 0 Crawley Town 1
Nationwide Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 967
Weather: -


An early deflected goal from Stephen Evans was the difference between the sides.

In only the eight minute, the midfielder, recalled in place of the suspended Tony Scully fired the towards goal from just outside the area. The ball hit defender Richie Sutton, who was blameless, and completely wrong footed Rangers goalkeeper Robbie Duggan.

Stafford dominated for long periods of the second half but were unable to find a way back into the game.

The early goal from Evans, which proved sufficient for the visitors, came during a bright start by Stafford.

In the 13th minute, Guy Madjo got on the end of a cross from Sutton but his shot lacked power.

However, there was danger for Rangers to dealt with. A smart move involving Elliott Benyon and Tyrone Berry was thwarted when the latter’s low cross into the area towards Marcus Richardson was cut of by Wayne Daniel. Richardson also stabbed a low shot wide from the edge of the area.

Duggan pulled off a smart save on the half hour at the expense of a corner to turn round a deflected shot from Dannie Bulman at the expense of a corner.

Stafford responded with Guy Madjo seeing a low shot gathered up by Ben Hamer. Levi Reid, back in side with Ged Murhy starting a two-match ban, also headed just wide.

As the interval approached, Madjo controlled a pass from Sutton and volleyed just over.

Madjo was thwarted just after the restart by a double save from Hamer, who pulled off another fine stop to keep out a close-range effort from Craig Lovatt.

With Stafford pressing forward in search of an equaliser, Crawley almost doubled their lead on the hour. Duggan tipped over a curling free kick hit by Evans from 27 yards out.

Robinson brought on Andy White for Reid and played the last half hour with three strikers.

Madjo forced a good near-post save out of Hamer but Rangers ended up enduring a frustrating afternoon in from of goal. Neil Grayson sent a dipping shot just over who also fired over following good work by Madjo. White sent another effort inches over the Crawley bar in injury time. Just before the full-time whistle, Danny Edwards and White combined to set up Madjo who couldn’t get in a clean shot inside a crowded area.

Crawley substitute Scott Marshall almost put the outcome beyond doubt late on when he drove just wide from Scott Rendell’s pass.

The new stands at either end of the ground were used for the first time.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Talbott (Edwards, 82), R. Gibson, Lovatt, Griffith, Reid (White, 63), Grayson, Madjo. Unused subs: Alcock, A. Gibson, Murray.

Crawley Town (red/red/red): Hamer, Hiley, Okuonghae, Woozley, Bull, Berry (Marshall, 86), Bulman, Blackburn, Evans, Richardson (Rendell, 75), Benyon. Unused subs: Judge, Charles, Obersteller.

Sponsors Man of the Match: Robin Gibson.

Referee: Roger Vaughan (Somerset).
Attendance: 967 (inc 47 away fans).