Under 9s Match Reports

STAFFORD RANGERS MATCH REPORT

STAFFORD RANGERS MATCH REPORT

Date: Sunday / /2009

Match 1 Stafford Rangers vs Stafford Juniors

First half:

A very much stronger Stafford Juniors team turned up today and gave Stafford Rangers a tough test after a two week layoff with no matches or training. An early attempt on goal by Ben Shearing spilled by the keeper is cleared off the line. A free kick to Stafford Rangers results in a great save pushed out via the post, and with a real run of sustained pressure, Stafford Rangers continue to push hard for a first goal, Connor Staines running hard at the defence and shooting just wide followed by a left footed cross from Ben Shearing headed just wide of the goal by a smart and well timed leap by Sam Jessup. More Stafford Rangers pressure delivered a strong last 5 minutes of the first half which finally provided a much deserved goal by Sam Jessup from a Lucas Payne shot initially saved by the keeper. With the only real attack of the match by Stafford Juniors, Josh Bundy made a great one handed save which he pushed onto the post and wide for a corner.

Goal scorers: Sam Jessup

Second half:

Stafford Rangers come out much more positively in the second half after a half time team talk from coaches ‘nobby’ Payne and Nigel Staines, they start passing with much more style and accuracy and within minutes they get a result with a corner by Miles Johnson converted by Lucas Payne. Stafford Rangers pick up the pace and pile on the pressure, Ben Shearing scoring a left footed shot into the bottom left hand corner, and Sam Jessup adds to his tally with second goal. Defenders Lucas Payne and Jo Lowry ensure Stafford Juniors didn’t get too many attempts on target with robust tackling. Ben Johnson supports the attack up the right wing with well timed runs and pin point passing, Ben Shearing seals the well deserved victory with his second goal of the day smashed hard into the back of the net, a well deserved result against a much improved Stafford Juniors team.

Goal scorers: Lucas Payne/Sam Jessup/Ben Shearing (2)

1st November 2009

Adverse weather conditions in the form of heavy overnight rain and strong gusty winds could have impacted on today’s games but Stafford Rangers stayed true to recent form. They delivered a powerful display of perfect passing and good discipline all over the field in overcoming two teams playing a much more physical game.

Stafford Rangers 2 - 0 Penkridge Juniors Wanderers

1st half

Stafford Rangers dominated the first half and could have ended the half 5 goals up. Sam Jessup and Ben Shearing linking up on the right wing to put pressure on the keeper, with the shot from Ben Shearing headed off the line for a corner. Constant pressure provided two more corners in quick succession with another line clearance, but on the second attempt Miles Johnson picked up the ball on the right wing, headed for goal and hit the ball into the roof of the net with a powerful right foot shot. More pressure from Stafford Rangers led to a shot from Ben Shearing pushed over the crossbar, and Joe Lowry saw his shot hit the post having beaten the keeper. Lucas Payne joined the attack to continue this sustained pressure with another save from the Penkridge Juniors keeper, and the half ended with Stafford Rangers only 1goal to the good for all their efforts due to some impressive efforts from the Penkridge Juniors keeper.

Goal scorers: Miles Johnson

2nd half

The second half started and continued in much the same vein as the first, with Stafford Rangers piling on the pressure and Penkridge Juniors knocking them back. Stafford Rangers pressure brings a free kick on the edge of the box which Miles Johnson promptly converts. With one the only significant incursions into Stafford Rangers half in the game a long looping shot is saved by Josh Bundy, the rest of the half continuing and ending with Stafford Rangers driving forward and piling pressure on Penkridge Juniors with only the single goal to show for their efforts. The Stafford Rangers defence in Lucas Payne and Joe Lowry continued their good form shown throughout the game in beating back any attempt by Penkridge Juniors to make any headway against a team in fine form.

Goal scorers: Miles Johnson

Stafford Rangers 7 - 0 Eccleshall Eagles

1st half

Eccleshall Eagles started the game with some early pressure on Stafford Rangers goal, but some strong keeping by Josh Bundy cleared the attempt on goal. Ben Shearing makes a strong run up the right wing forcing a save and a corner from his right footed shot. The resulting corner was headed clear, hit back in to the box by Lucas Payne, where Ben Shearing slotted home a right foot shot past the keeper. From the kick off Stafford Rangers go for goal, Connor Staines shoots but just wide. More pressure leads to 4 shots saved in quick succession by the Eagles defence and keeper, but the 5th shot from Miles Johnson finds the net. The half ends with a run from the half way line by Connor Staines, a late tackle leading to a penalty which is promptly converted by Connor Staines.

Goal scorers: Ben Shearing/ Miles Johnson/ Connor Staines

2nd half

Stafford Rangers turn to start strongly with several attacks on goal beaten back, and a quick break by Eagles leading to a shot deflected of the right hand post. Stafford Rangers continue to pound the Eagles defence, and a neat flick of the ball over his head almost earns Ben Shearing a goal but it bounces away off the crossbar. Miles Johnson continues his impressive goal scoring record by hitting another looping shot over the keepers head from the right wing. The continuing pressure finally tells on Eagles as Stafford Rangers force 3 further goals, 1 from Sam Jessup, a flick up round the defender, volleyed home into the bottom right hand corner of the net, with a further 2 from Ben Shearing completing his hat trick in this game. Another impressive performance by Stafford Rangers playing a precise and sharp passing game in very difficult conditions.

Goal scorers: Miles Johnson/Sam Jessup/ Ben Shearing (2)

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8th June 2009

Stafford Rangers under 8s excelled in last weeks Rocester Football festival, despite the difficult playing conditions. Winning all fixtures played in their section and only conceding 1 goal through out, Rangers young guns can be very proud of the football they played. Fittingly, James Rowlands scored the last goal of the tournament as he bid farewell to his team mates with a trade mark jinxing run and fine finish. New FA rules prohibit him playing for the team next season. A fantastic performance lads.

1st February 2009

Stafford Rangers under 8's resumed there none competitive programme after their recent enforced three month weather break with an outstanding performance. Ryan Roberts caught the eye in his new attacking role chipping in with four goals as did Joe Lowry with a commanding performance at the back. Pick of the goals was a stunning Miles Johnson free kick. Rangers are on the look out for a goalkeeper anyone interested please contact Antony on 01785 363023

Tournament Report -Shifnal 7-a-side

Stafford Rangers Juniors under 7s extended their tally to 15 games unbeaten and secured another tournament success by lifting the Shifnal 7 a side Trophy. Lucas Payne and James Rowlands both impressed through out the tournament as did the excellent Joe Lowry at the heart of Rangers defence. The Final was a tense affair with Rangers young guns clearly tiring having gone through the whole tournament with no substitutes to call on.Two goals from Connor Staines was enough to see off Shropshire side Randlay Colts in the Final 2-1. Lewis Collins was Rangers player of the tournament.

Rocester Elkes Tournament - May 2008

Stafford Rangers Juniors under 7's announced their intentions to the local soccer scene with a storming debut performance in the recently held Rocester Elkes Eagles football tournament. They reached the final with an impressive 10 goals scored and only one goal conceded, thanks to excellent defending from Miles Johnson and Joe Lowry, a stunning strike from Connor Staines and a fine finish from Lewis Collins sealed an excellent 2-0 victory in the final against Abbots Bromley. The outstanding Lewis Collins was voted 'Player of the Tournament' for the Rangers.