Rushall Olympic 1 Stafford Rangers 2 - Report

Rangers made a bright start to the game and Massiah McDonald worked himself into a good position but saw his shot easily saved by Joe Slinn and then the visitors had a good opportunity to get their noses in front when Robbie Thompson-Brown set up Josh Craddock but the midfielder on his return to Dales Lane fired over.

The home side won their first corner on seventeen minutes but when the ball came back to Danny Waldron his shot was blocked. Three minutes later a quickly taken free-kick from Josh Sermento found Andre Landell but his volley was well saved by Adam Whitehouse in the Rangers goal.

Rushall were now enjoying their best spell of the game so far and Josh Webb got himself into a good position but his low cross was cleared for a corner and then a great ball over the top from Josh Hawker played in Sermento whose effort was cleared for a corner.

Another good ball from Hawker released Waldron but the move ended with Simeon Maye`s shot saved by Whitehouse as the Pics were beginning to turn the screw.

Eight minutes before the break though there was a let off for the home side when Joe Hull`s header, to `keeper` Slinn was intercepted by Izak Reid but Slinn was out quickly to block the shot.

There was drama on the stroke of half-time when Hawker`s free-kick found Maye in the six yard box but the midfielder couldn`t control the ball and the chance was lost. The ball was then cleared downfield and IZAK REID put the visitors in front.

Rushall had another half chance, seven minutes into the second half, when a sloppy back pass from Craddock almost let in Danny Dubidat but Whitehouse was alert and raced out his area to clear the danger.

On sixty seven minutes though the home side were on level terms when SIMEON MAYE headed home Hawker`s free-kick.

Rushall`s joy was short-lived though as within four minutes Rangers were back in front when McDonald played in KYLE PERRY and the striker produced a fine finish to strike home a left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net. Two minutes later they had a chance to go further in front but Slinn did well to turn Izak Reid`s shot behind for a corner.

Ten minutes from time substitute Gurjit Singh did well down the left but his cross was behind the onrushing forwards and then Sangha produced an excellent ball for Maye who tried to lob Whitehouse but succeeded only in guiding the ball into the `keeper`s arms.

RUSHALL OLYMPIC

Slinn, Webb, Smikle, Maye, Hull, Whittall, Sermento (Singh 58), Hawker, Dubidat Archer 65), Landell (Sangha 65), Waldron

Unused Subs: Adelekan, Fonovich,

STAFFORD RANGERS

Whitehouse. Vann, (K) Westwood, Morris, Brown, Craddock (Sherratt 56), (I) Reid, (L) Reid, Perry, Thompson-Brown, McDonald (Griffiths 90 + 3)

Unused subs: Thomas, (D) Westwood, Platt,

Attendance: 266

Referee: Mr. D. Wilding