League

Marston Road
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tommy Stonehouse took the kick off in the first half of the match. Tommy Stonehouse might have been able to make a better finish in the 5th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Ronny Chambers. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Tommy Stonehouse ran back to his position shaking his head. Richie Crouch, 8 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. 9 minutes into the match, STAFFORD RANGERS FC's goal looked a bit too open when Graham Branston came free, but Ronny Chambers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 10 played minutes STAFFORD RANGERS FC got a freekick which was hit by Luke Cross. 16 minutes into the match, STAFFORD RANGERS FC's goal looked a bit too open when Tommy Stonehouse came free, but Ronny Chambers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When the match had gone on for 23 minutes, Graham Branston put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Ronny Chambers. After some fancy dribbling in the 29th minute, Josh Frost managed to get in a good position for a shot. STAFFORD RANGERS FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Josh Frost was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marty Jenkins breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. If Graham Branston had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Graham Branston had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Graham Branston in the 41st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ronny Chambers saved STAFFORD RANGERS FC from getting behind. After a defensive mix-up in STAFFORD RANGERS FC's zone, Graham Branston stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ronny Chambers came out of the goal and Graham Branston tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

The wind increased when Josh Frost made the kick off in the second half. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Tommy Stonehouse managed to get in a good position for a shot. Rawtenstall's supporters rose to their feet, but Tommy Stonehouse was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ronny Chambers breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Matty Lambert hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. 61 minutes into the match, Rawtenstall's goal looked a bit too open when Josh Frost came free, but Marty Jenkins reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ronny Chambers came out of the goal in the 65th minute to try and stop a shot by Rawtenstall's Tommy Stonehouse. But to his dismay, Tommy Stonehouse quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. In the 69th minute, Rawtenstall's Tommy Stonehouse ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Ronny Chambers. Ronny Chambers yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-3. Tommy Stonehouse sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 74 minutes into the match, STAFFORD RANGERS FC's goalkeeper Ronny Chambers had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Graham Branston. Frank Brent sent away a hard shot on goal in the 76th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 78 minutes into the match, Josh Frost had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Marty Jenkins. Rawtenstall's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Josh Frost was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-3. During the 81st minute of the match Luke Cross completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Luke Cross a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. After 82 played minutes STAFFORD RANGERS FC got a freekick which was hit by Luke Cross. After a rather tough play, STAFFORD RANGERS FC's Pete Hazledine got a free kick in the 88th minute. After a defensive mix-up in STAFFORD RANGERS FC's zone, Graham Branston stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ronny Chambers came out of the goal and Graham Branston tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Rawtenstall's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.