'Take our chances' - Stafford Rangers out to rediscover their spark in relegation six-pointer
Boss Graham Deakin is hoping Stafford Rangers can rediscover their shooting boots in time for Saturday’s “six-pointer” at Trafford.
The Boro are winless in four Northern Premier League West matches and goal-less in three, meaning they remain just five points clear of the relegation zone.
Deakin this week moved to bolster his attack with the signing of Devarn Green from Warrington Town, with the latter making his debut in Tuesday’s 2-1 Staffordshire Senior Cup win over Wolves Casuals.
The boss hopes that result can spark the forward line into life, as he explained: “At the minute we have five of six front players and none of them are firing.
“Usually you have one or two who aren’t firing but one or two who are. At the moment we don’t have anyone who is, which is why I went and brought Devarn in. He has looked bright so far.
“Jack Birch stepped up and scored a great goal on Tuesday, which gives him 15 for the season.
“Hopefully now we can kick on in the league.”
Hosts Trafford are nine points below Boro in the table but have scored four goals in each of their last two home matches, which included a big midweek victory over promotion-chasing Lower Breck.
Midfielder Joe Thompson is poised to make his Stafford debut after joining from Chasetown, while Deakin is back in the market for a defender, after Harry Flowers suffered an injury which is expected to keep him out for several weeks.
The boss said: “It is going to be a tough match on Saturday but they are all tough now.
“What we have to do is try and take points from those teams around us in the table and put a bit of breathing space between us and them.
“It is a case of taking our chances, we have the potential with the firepower we have up top now to go and score two or three goals a game, like we did at the start of February.”
Sporting Khalsa, a place and a point below Stafford in the standings, host Vauxhall Motors, while Chasetown host Avro.
Darlaston Town are away at mid-table Nantwich Town as they look to narrow the gap to safety.
In the Midlands Division, Lichfield City will look to keep their slender hopes of making a run for the play-offs alive when the host Basford United.
