Monday 10th April 2023 - Nantwich Town 1 Stafford Rangers 1
Stafford Rangers battled for a point away from home against a struggling Nantwich side fighting for their survival in the Northern Premier League, writes Luke Powell.
Callum Saunders’ opener for the Rangers was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time by Dan Cockerline as the Rangers moved to four league games unbeaten.
Matt Hill’s side are now mathematically safe as they move up to 13th in the table. The two sides also battled the strong wind blowing at the Swansway Stadium, causing havoc throughout the 90 minutes.
In the first half Saunders was off target early on with his effort blown out for a throw-in before Cockerline headed wide for the home side. Steven Hewitt found the side netting with his free-kick from the left edge of the box before Saunders then gave Hill’s side the lead against the Dabbers, converting at the back-post from Ethan Morgan’s cross.
The two wide men who Hill brought into the side combined well for the lead after a good Rangers move. Belford then kept out Tom Scully from his header, but was unable to deny Dan Cockerline heading home from a cross on the left to level the match in additional time.
A thrilling second 45 then followed, as Nantwich found the back of the net but the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul. Anderson saw a shot blocked likewise to Joel Connelly for the home side in the 61st minute.
The game came alive as Nantwich skipper Troy Bourne saw yellow following a firm Ethan Stewart tackle.
Anderson headed wide before Tonks was denied and drama commenced with Bourne’s header hitting the crossbar and coming close to crossing the line as there were appeals of handball too.
Ethan Stewart’s effort sliding in went wide as Stafford saw out the game for a point in an entertaining and interesting stalemate.
