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Express and Star

Friday 3rd November

Stafford set for a-Wey day

Tomorrow’s hosts Weymouth lie in the lower reaches of the Conference, with rookie manager Jason Tindall having only his assistant Roy O’Brien as an injury doubt for the cash-strapped Terras.

All may not be well off the field, reasonable home form has kept the Dorset club away from the drop zone.

Stafford look set to continue a familiar trend as they have the opportunity to once again name an unchanged line up, although Scott Rickards is pushing for a recall to the sixteen. New coach Mark Cooper, a registered player, will take place in the dugout but will not be involved on the playing side for several weeks at least. With six wins in their last seven games, Rangers head south brimming with confidence.

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Sporting Star

Saturday 4th November

Winger so Shaw his future lies with Stafford

Exciting young winger Courtney Shaw has been rewarded for his endeavours with an 18-month contract at Marston Road. The tricky former Bromsgrove Rovers prodigy has forced his way up from the reserves to take the Conference by storm.

The Birmingham-based twenty year old has had scouts flocking to Stafford in recent weeks, and the relatively smooth process in getting him on contract terms has allowed Stafford to command a fee for his services should Shaw be tempted to jump ship.

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Sunday Mercury

Sunday 5th November

Tindall-town performance gives Terras the points

Glitzy and glamorous it wasn’t, but Weymouth had an inspired performance from player-manager Jason Tindall to thank as they battled hard to grab a narrow win against in form Rangers. It has to be said that the side with the best home record in the league just cannot turn it on away from Marston Road. Not that Weymouth will care, for them it was all about standing up and being counted – which they did to a man, although getting their noses in front in the first minute surely helped.

Stafford slipped back into their bad habits from the off as a hopeful long ball from Tony James was not dealt with. Nick Crittenden had time and space to tee up Stuart Beavon for an easy finish. Similar confusion in the Terras box allowed Stafford an immediate response, but Nathan Talbott dragged his shot wide.

Weymouth should have extended their lead when hesitancy from Dean Williams allowed Beavon room, but he fired his shot into the side netting. The end to end action continued as Courtney Shaw burst into the box, but again Stafford were just off target.

Craig Lovatt was lucky to stay on the pitch after an apparent punch on James Coutts but a rejuvenated Rangers emerged after the interval. James slipped and Guy Madjo raced into the box to clinch his eleventh of the season. A fine Neil Grayson headed landed on the roof of the net as Weymouth began to wobble.

Weymouth weathered the storm and made Stafford pay. A long goal kick found Crittenden and his cross was poorly cleared by Wayne Daniel. Curtis Allen came racing in and thundered the ball home.

Stafford made a double substitution and offered a more attacking outlook. One on breakaway, Ged Murphy rattled the bar and Madjo somehow contrived to steer the rebound wide.

Sustained late pressure wasn’t enough to give the visitors an avenue back into the game.

Weymouth 2 (Beavon 1, Allen 68)
Stafford Rangers 1 (Madjo 51)

Line up: Williams, McAughtrie, Slater, Daniel, Murray, Shaw, Murphy, Lovatt, Talbott (Motteram), Grayson (Olaoye), Madjo. Subs not used: Alcock, Reid, A Gibson

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www.staffordrangers.co.uk

Thursday 9th November

Reserves triumph over neighbours

Former Tamworth manager Mark Cooper played 45 minutes against his old club but it was another member of Stafford’s coaching staff who stole the glory in this game. Iwan Roberts twice netted in the first half to put Rangers on their way to a comfortable victory.

Stafford 2
Tamworth 0

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The Sentinel

Friday 10th November

Jenkins issues rallying call

Stafford Rangers manager Jay Jenkins has encouraged his players to “go for it” tomorrow as the Conference surprise package take on League Two outfit Bury at Gigg Lane. The only fresh injury doubt is Scott Rickards who has sustained a rib injury whilst playing for the reserves.

Bury are sat in 12th place in their division, but just three points off the automatic promotion places. Chris Casper is without no fewer than seven of his squad due to injury and suspension, with his two senior goalkeepers both expected to be sidelined. Youngster Aaron Grundy is likely to deputise.

Stafford’s hopes rest on their goal threat. They’ve scored in their last fourteen outings, and have found the net in every away game since the defeat to St Albans in August. Jenkins said,

Should Stafford get through the tie, they will reach the second round for the first time since 1992.