Stafford Rangers 3 South Shields 1 - Report, pictures and fans

In an entertaining clash at Marston Road, it was the visitors who took a seventh minute lead when Robert Briggs saw a cross-come-shot sail into the net.

But Neil Kitching’s side pulled level just 60 seconds later when McDonald latched onto a Dan Westwood cross for his third goal in as many games.

After what had been an even first-half, Rangers went on to dominate after the interval. And after relentless spell of pressure, McDonald fired in off the post to put them ahead in the 78th minute.

Then five minutes later the striker was celebrating again after he side-footed home a Richard Batchelor cross.

The result means Boro will now be in the hat for the Trophy’s third and final qualifying round.

Rangers boss Kitching had a selection dilemma before kick-off with strikers McDonald, Westwood and Richard Gregory all in impressive goal scoring form.

But it was McDonald and Westwood who got the nod with the duo starting up front in a 3-5-2 formation that saw Izak Reid and Kieren Westwood operate as wing-backs.

South Shields, who won the FA Vase last season, included former Sunderland and Middlesbrough star Julio Arca in their starting XI.

In what was a frantic opening, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when Roberts Briggs collected the ball wide on the right before producing a wonderful dinked finish to find the bottom left corner.

But Boro’s response was immediate with Westwood sending in a teasing cross which McDonald swept home from close range to pull his side level just 60 seconds later.

The goal settled Kitching’s side and they almost got their noses in front moments later when, eight-yards-out, Mathew Bailey saw a strike blocked by a defender.

The Rangers man then got a second bite at the cherry but his low drive was well claimed by Shields’ keeper Liam Connell.

In what was now proving an open and entertaining game, both teams created a flurry of goal scoring opportunities as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark.

First, Gavin Cogdon turned well on the edge of the box for South Shields before seeing a snap shot sail inches past the post.

The visitors then threatened again minutes later with Bradley Caswell getting down well to keep out a Michael Richardson drive with the keeper jumping back to his feet to parry away Barrie Smith’s follow-up.

Undeterred, Rangers hit back with Westwood collecting a throw-in inside the box before smartly turning his man and hitting a fierce strike inches past the upright.

It was the Mariners’ though who should have retaken the lead just before half-time with Cogdon entering the box and twisting and turning his way past Bailey before firing wide when he should have done better.

Shields completed an unprecedented quadruple last season with the team, under the guidance of joint bosses Graham Fenton‎ and Lee Picton, winning their league, the Durham Challenge Cup, the Northern League Challenge Cup and the FA Vase.

But it was Rangers who should have got their noses in front in the 50th minute when Reid sent in a wonderful whipped cross from the right.

The delivery was met by an unmarked McDonald who had the entire goal to aim yet placed his header wide when he should have scored.

Kitching’s men had started the second half well but they had a scare when Carl Finnigan latched on to an under-hit back pass from Morris.

The striker pounced the ball and tricked his way past Caswell but with the angle tightening his lofted effort sailed over the bar.

Kitching shuffled his pack in the 65th minute with Gregory replacing Westwood.

It was the visitors who threatened next though with Cogdon latching onto Arca’s ball forward before firing straight at Caswell from 12-yards.

Rangers responded with Richard Batchelor heading narrowly wide after rising highest to meet a corner. And they then created two glorious opportunities to grab the lead.

First, Batchelor tricked his way to the byline before sending in a cross that looked destined to be nodded home by Gregory from point-blank range. But the striker’s header was brilliantly parried away by Connell.

Then from the resultant corner Morris saw his glancing effort cleared off the line by Arca.

In the 78th minute though, Stafford’s pressure finally told with McDonald darting into the box before producing a wonderful finish to fire the ball off the post and into the corner.

Five minutes later and McDonald was celebrating again with Batchelor again doing well to hit the byline before sending in a cross which the striker slammed home for his hat-trick.

And while South Shields pushed forward in a bid to find a way back into the game in the closing stages, Caswell and the Rangers defence kept them at bay to secure their side a well-deserved win.

Teams:

Stafford Rangers: Stafford Rangers: Caswell, Fletcher, K. Westwood, Morris, Bailey, Brown, Reid, Craddock, D. Westwood (Gregory 65), McDonald (Sherratt 90), Batchelor (Griffiths 87).

Subs not used: Davis, Briscoe

South Shields: Connell, Baxter, Lough (Nicholson 71), Shaw, Morse, Arca (c), Smith (Storey 65), Briggs, Cogdon, Finnigan, Richardson (Holmes 58).

Subs not used: Norton, Storey, Stephenson