Knot another Staffordshire story

retired_arlene · 03-28-2007, 12:06 AM

www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk

Tuesday 29th August
Slater deflater sinks Stafford

Their maiden visit to Clarence Park saw Rangers unable to return with the spoils as a fortuitous bounce enabled St Albans City to taste victory. Although despondant after the game, a return of seven points in five games – three of them away from home - isn’t a disaster for Rangers. In fact, Staffordshire neighbours Burton Albion are yet to pick up a point, and Tamworth are still to score a goal this season!

St Albans put Stafford on the back foot early on, and Leon Archer outpaced Craig McAughtrie, but Dean Williams rushed out to deny the danger. A break by Stafford saw debutant Carl Motteram blast over the bar up the other end.

It was very much a case of defences on top, though in the 25th minute, Faly Basse deflected a Iwan Roberts shot behind for a corner. The dominant striker was in the thick of the action soon after, heading over from a Nathan Talbott centre.

Guy Madjo nearly added to his season’s tally of three when he hit the post from a cleverly worked corner routine. For all their pressing, Stafford couldn’t capitalise and perhaps with a sense of inevitability, the home side went in front on 53 minutes. Elaborate build up play saw a low cross from the left turned goalwards by Matt Hann. Williams got a hand to the ball, but it cannoned off Chris Slater and rebounded into his own net.

The game opened up and it wasn’t long before Hann flashed a low drive across the face of goalmouth, although it was Stafford who laid siege to the City penalty box in for the remainder of the game.

Chances for Madjo and Motteram failed to yield an equaliser so in desperation, a triple substitution was used to seek a change in fortunes. One of the trio of new arrivals, Ged Murphy, saw a curling free kick tipped to safety. The resultant scramble should have seen an equaliser but Wayne Daniel saw his goalbound attempt knocked off the line.

St Albans City 1 (Slater og 53)
Stafford Rangers 0

Stafford line up: Williams, McAughtrie, Slater, Daniel, Gibson (Murray), Reid, Lovatt (Murphy), Motteram, Talbott, Roberts (Olaoye), Madjo. Subs not used: Alcock, Rickards

retired_arlene · 03-28-2007, 12:07 AM

www.staffordrangers.co.uk

Thursday 31st August

Reserves come close against strong Blues side

A brilliant performance from Stafford’s second string saw the go narrowly down to a star studded Birmingham outfit. The Blues fielded DJ Campbell, Rowan Vine and Mikael Forssell amongst others but it was Scott Rickards who opened the scoring for the home side. Campbell hit back with a brace but Stafford could have earned a share of the spoils had Neil Grayson’s header not been ruled out by a marginal offside flag.

Stafford 1
Birmingham 2

Player of the month named

Stafford Rangers striker Guy Madjo has been named as Stafford’s fans player of the month, largely due to having three goals to his name already.

The Nationwide Conference have named Aldershot Town veteran Marcus Gayle as the divisional winner of the player of the month award, with young Dagenham and Redbridge full back Scott Griffiths named as the Conference young player for August.

Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale picks up the managerial award.

retired_arlene · 03-28-2007, 12:07 AM

Latest table:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Exeter | | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 13 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Gravesend | | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 12 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Aldershot | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 10 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Woking | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 10 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Halifax | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 10 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Stevenage | | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 9 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Forest Green | | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 9 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Cambridge | | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 9 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Dag & Red | | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 8 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Morecambe | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 7 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Oxford | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Northwich | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Stafford | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 7 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Rushden | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 7 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Southport | | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 6 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | York | | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 6 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Altrincham | | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 6 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | St. Albans | | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 6 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Weymouth | | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 5 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Grays | | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 4 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Kidderminster | | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 3 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Tamworth | | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 1 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Burton | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 0 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Crawley | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | -3 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10 points deducted from Crawley | | | | | | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

retired_arlene · 03-29-2007, 11:10 PM

Sporting Star

Saturday 2nd September

Rangers wise for Morecambe visit

Stafford Rangers prepare for a clash with highly fancied Morecambe at Marston Road this afternoon in the knowledge that Southport man Mark Duffy will not be joining the club. The former Prescot Cables winger has agreed a short term deal with his former Unibond League employers in a bid to regain sharpness.

Rangers boss Jay Jenkins showed frustration at the decision.

Quote:

“You have to question his ambition and desire. He’s dropped two leagues because the travelling is more convenient. It’s a real pity because we thought he could fit into our side really well and we made him a decent offer. I’m always looking at players who can come in and improve what we’ve got so the hunt goes on.”

Crewe Alexandra defender Richie Sutton has seen his spell with Rangers cut short. The young centre half lost his place on the bench for Monday’s defeat at St. Albans City and so his release frees up funds elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Stafford have been rocked by the news that young winger Danny Edwards has suffered a cruciate ligament injury and there are fears for his career – it’s only twelve months since he returned from a similar injury.

retired_arlene · 03-29-2007, 11:13 PM

Sunday Mercury

Sunday 3rd September

Rangers in dull stalemate
A fairly moribund encounter saw both sides cement their place in the middle of the Conference, although neither had the guile to underline any promotion credentials.

Sammy McIlroy’s side had the first opportunity of the game as a wickedly curling left footed shot from Michael Twiss was tipped behind by Dean Williams. The resultant corner was cleared and a mazy Carl Motteram run was finished with a sublime pass into the path of Guy Madjo, and although he found the corner of the net, the goal was ruled out due to an offside flag.

A crucial passage of play arrived in the 16th minute. Iwan Roberts was felled by an innocuous challenge and as the burly Welshman lay in a crumpled heap, the visitors burst forward. Jason Walker saw his effort thwarted by Williams as the Rangers players, bench and fans alike made their feelings known in vociferous fashion.

Roberts was replaced by Scott Rickards as the hosts abandoned measured build up play by attacking early and with pace. Madjo was too quick even for himself as he stumbled in the box under the faintest of tackles, and received a caution for unsporting behaviour for his troubles.

Neil Sorvel went close for the visitors in an evenly contested second period, but in the end both sides had to make do with a point.

Stafford Rangers 0
Morecambe 0

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

retired_arlene · 03-29-2007, 11:16 PM

www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk

Monday 4th September

Grayson to answer SOS

With the news that player-coach Iwan Roberts will be missing for a few weeks with a troublesome ankle, you could be forgiven for thinking that his invaluable experience will be irreplaceable.

However, forgotten man Neil Grayson, three years Roberts’ senior at the ripe old age of 41, has vowed to answer the call to arms to fill the void in attack. Scott Rickards or Dolapo Olaoye seem the most likely candidates to partner Guy Madjo up front although there certainly seems a space in the sixteen for Grayson to challenge for.

Manager Jay Jenkins explained,

Quote:

“It’s a blow to lose Iwan even though he can still influence the goings on from the sidelines in his coaching role, but he’s been immense up front for us. We’ve got a big squad and Neil is sharp and experienced. He’s done ok in pre-season and has kept himself fit in the reserve team that he’s helping to run. I’ve no qualms about him stepping back into the first team picture if we need him. I’d rather have his experience than dip into the loan market. With Iwan out, it gives the other lads a chance but Neil is the next best player in the squad at holding the ball up, and his link up play, awareness and experience may be vital. Similarly, my other strikers have good qualities and can cause defenders problems so although we’re one striker down, I’ve still got a selection headache which for a part time club competing at this level is a nice thing to have.

We’ve gone over two and a half games without scoring, so none of my strikers can get complacent. Plus, we’ve got a few midweek games coming up so we’ll need to keep things nice and fresh.”

retired_arlene · 03-29-2007, 11:16 PM

www.staffordrangers.co.uk

Thursday 7th September

Grayson shuts door on Walsall fightback

Stafford’s second string chalked up an impressive win against a strong Walsall side at Rushall Olympic’s Dales Lane ground.

Within five minutes Scott Rickards and Neil Grayson had netted for Stafford, but the Saddlers hit back quickly to level at two all. Grayson headed home a corner, and Courtney Shaw made the game safe late on when Walsall were reduced to ten men following Troy Denney’s dismissal after an angry confrontation.

Walsall 2
Stafford 4

retired_arlene · 03-29-2007, 11:17 PM

Express and Star

Friday 8th September

Stafford bid to shoot down Shots

Stafford have Aldershot in their sights as they bid to return to winning ways, following a run of two draws and a loss from their last three outings.

Iwan Roberts joins Kevin Street, Danny Edwards and Nathan Smith on the long term injury list though Stafford’s sizeable squad will visit Hampshire to find their opponents in a similar predicament with five players unavailable, included Marcus Gayle and Rhys Day.

Alex Gibson, Andre Francis and Courtney Shaw have all been spending Saturday afternoons playing for other clubs lower down the pyramid this season, but all are on stand-by to travel as Rangers bid to inflict a first home defeat of the season on the Shots.

retired_arlene · 03-30-2007, 10:40 PM

The Non League Paper

Sunday 10th September

Clinical Shots claim victory

Stafford dominated the statistics apart from the only one that mattered as Aldershot taught them a lesson in finishing to maintain their unbeaten home record and climb into the top six. Rangers on the other hand are now four games without victory but can console themselves with the fact that their next three fixtures are all at home as they bid to make their mark on their new division.

Aldershot were slow out of the blocks and were caught napping when a hopeful punt out of the Stafford box put the hosts on the back foot as Guy Madjo showed fine anticipation to chase a seemingly lost cause. His effort was venomously blocked by Mark Molesley to avert the danger. The Shots responding in kind, with Dean Williams at full stretch to parry a fierce Shaun Ross drive.

Williams was then tested again as lively Luton Town loanee Ross tried another angled drive, only for the Stafford stopper to avert the danger at the concession of a corner. The Rangers keeper then turned from hero to villain as his hesitancy allowed John Grant to reach a hopeful Sam Rents ball, with the former Shrewsbury striker slotting home expertly after arriving first to a ball that he had no right to get to.

The home side began to rest on their laurels, and the defence was again exposed by the lively Rickards. A low cross found Carl Motteram, but he inched a shot just wide under pressure from gathering defenders. Former Birmingham man Motteram then turned provider as he slipped a delightful through ball to Rickards, but he was unable to squeeze his shot beyond Nikki Bull.

Any hopes of a Stafford revival were dashed when Rents had the ball returned to him from a quick throw in, and a first time cross found the head of Molesley who made no mistake to double the advantage.

Grant shot wide from an acute angle but Stafford dominated after the break. Rickards found himself clean through but Bull was quick off his line and managed to smother the ball. Despite having less of the play, Aldershot added a third when veteran Ricky Newman thundered home a 30 yard free kick.

The visitors finally regained their goalscoring touch late on when popular veteran Neil Grayson came off the bench to stroke a left footed effort into the far corner following good work from Madjo. And although it was a forgettable day for his side, the consolation was the 200th league goal of the 41 year old strikers illustrious career.

Aldershot Town 3 (Grant 21, Molesley 44, Newman 64)
Stafford Rangers 1 (Grayson 82)

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

retired_arlene · 03-30-2007, 10:41 PM

www.nonleaguedaily.com

Monday 11th September

Stafford set to ring the changes

Rookie Stafford Rangers boss Jay Jenkins has threatened to shake his squad up for a vital week in the club’s Conference return. They host Woking on Wednesday for the first of three consecutive games on home turf.

With influential and experienced duo Kevin Street and Iwan Roberts out injured, potentially youthful deputies may offer an alternative style of play to dig the club out of a rut where just two points have been picked up in the past four outings. Of those games, just two goals have been scored, and one of those was a meaningless consolation on Saturday following the defeat at Aldershot Town.

Former Bromsgrove man Courtney Shaw has impressed for the reserves and although he travelled to Hampshire he didn’t make the sixteen. A change to the system could be in the offing as Jenkins said,

Quote:

“We conceded some poor goals at Aldershot. The extra protection of a third central defender didn’t help us as we were exposed in other areas and never got at them enough.

Although I don’t like to publicly set targets, our home form is key to our success this season so we’ve got some massive games coming up. Woking were doing great up until Saturday when Burton snatched a win, but before that they’d won four in a row. We need to watch out for a potential backlash from that.

They’re a quality side and Glenn Cockerill has assembled a good squad. It will be a tough game but despite our recent form we’re well up for it and it’s a big test for me as a manager to make sure I get my team selection and tactics spot on. We’ve had then watched so we know what to expect.”

Knot another Staffordshire story

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Knot another Staffordshire story