Steve Bull is still looking for his first win as Stafford Rangers manager.
He is also waiting for one of his strikers – or anybody for that matter – to score a goal for him at Marston Road.
Bully tried four different frontmen against Oxford on Sturday, but the service they got was so poor none of them had a chance of opening an account.
And, after Matt Green’s early strike for Oxford, Rangers were heading for yet another home defeat in the Blue Square Premier, their 12th this season, to push them even closer to the brink of relegation.
Green’s matchwinner came in only the 11th minute, a rising shot into the roof of the net when a simple prodded pass forward into the box caught Rangers’ defence flat-footed.
But that goal wasn’t the only difference between the sides. Keeper Danny Alcock defenitely earned his man of the match award, especially for a couple of blinding second half saves that stopped Oxford putting the game beyond Rangers’ reach.
His reflexes were sharp to block a 71st minute effort from U’s substitute Craig McAllister at point blank range. Then, with time running out, he shot out a hand to turn wide Phil Trainer’s goalbound effort.
There was not much to praise in the remainder of the Rangers team, although Bully did coax plenty of effort out of them.
The best of the rest was probably midfielder Sami Mawene, who has rejoined the club after a short spell with Bury, and full-back Richie Sutton, the man who came closest to snatching an unlikely equaliser.
One Comment
When is Andy Thompson going to be at the side of Bully, is he doing it all on his own or has he got coaching staff with him?