Altrincham 0 Stafford Rangers 1
Nationwide Conference
At: Moss Lane
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Attendance: 1150
Weather: -
A goal from Guy Madjo, scored just before the interval, earned Stafford a hard-fought victory over 10-man Altrincham. He got on the end of a deep left-wing cross from Nathan Talbott in the 43rd minute to head home his 10th goal of the season. The win over an Altrincham side, who had Stephen Rose dismissed on the hour, lifted Stafford up into twelfth position and onto 48 points
Stafford made a confident start and could have taken the lead in the 3rd minute. Ged Murphy, starting against his previous club in place of the injured Levi Reid, found Robin Gibson at the far post who was denied by the legs of home keeper Stuart Coburn.
Robert Duggan pulled off a superb save just before the quarter-hour mark when he dived to his right to push clear an angled shot from Joe O’Neill.
Neil Grayson was inches away from giving Stafford the lead. Receiving a tapped free kick 25 yards out, he hit a well-struck drive against a post and Craig McAughtrie, following-up, sent the loose ball over the bar.
Madjo headed home Talbott’s cross just before the interval to give Rangers the goal that their first-half performance deserved.
At the start of the second half Altrincham won three corners in quick succession and Colin Little saw one effort deflected over.
Grayson could have doubled the lead when the broke clean though but was denied a shooting chance by a late saving tackle. Coburn also pulled off a fine save to beat away a well-struck drive from Murphy.
Rose was sent off on the hour for a late challenge on Murphy and the ten men proceeded to put Stafford under considerable pressure. Duggan pulled off another wonderful save to turn over Little’s overhead kick.
Altrincham won a series of corners in the closing stages but the resolute Rangers defence stood firm to protect their three valuable points.
Altrincham (red and white stripes/black/red): Coburn, Rose, Band, Munroe, Peyton, O'Neill, Lawton, Bushell, Chalmers, Little, Senior. Subs: G. Talbot (for Senior, 79),Acton, Aspinall, Scott, McFadden.
Stafford Rangers (blue/red/black): Duggan, Sutton, McAughtrie, Daniel, N. Talbott, R. Gibson, Griffith, Lovatt, Murphy, Madjo, Grayson. Subs: Lorougnon (for Madjo, 90), Alcock, Edwards, Murray, White.
Altrincham’s Stafford Man of the Match: Guy Madjo.
Referee: Guy Stretton (Leicestershire).
Attendance: 1,150.
