Match Preview

After a massive win at Giant Axe against FC United of Manchester, The Dolly Blues hit the road again to face Stafford Rangers.

Location
Marston Road
Marston Road
Stafford
ST16 3BX

Tickets
Tickets are available at this link:
https://staffordrangersfc.ktckts.com/event/sfr2223h18/league-match-18

General Admission:
Adult: £12
Concession: £8
Student: £8
Under 16: £3

Seating Area:
Adult £14
Concession: £10
Student: £10
Under 16: £5

You can also listen to Craig Thompson's match commentary live at https://dollybluesound.mixlr.com

Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers have had a tough second half of the season since a brilliant start saw them occupy top spot in four separate gameweeks. However, they have suffered a bad run which has seen them drop down to 13th.

In their last 10 games, they have lost seven games, won two and drawn one. On Tuesday they drew 1-1 with Ashton United, and have had a more favourable record at home, winning the game before that at Marston Road – 2-0 vs Marske United.

Their two biggest goal threats this season are Kaiman Anderson and Tom Tonks who have nine and eight apiece, though goals have been hard to come by for the team recently; they have blanked in five of their last seven.

Lancaster City
Victory last weekend has kept City three points clear of the relegation zone, and there is a three-team buffer behind them. In recent games, The Dolly Blues have been boosted by the arrivals of Matthew Tweedley, Nathan Woodthorpe and Pawel Zuk. The defence welcomes another arrival in centre-back Rudy Misambo who will strengthen the department.

Lancaster are looking for a first away win since beating Hyde United 2-1 in November, but have a generally good away record this season, winning 4, drawing 4 and losing 5 in the league.

Head-to-Head
In all of the last four meetings, the away side, curiously, has won. The last home victory was Lancaster’s 2-1 win at Giant Axe in 2019-20. Stafford beat Lancaster earlier this season, but the last meeting at Marston Road went Lancaster’s way as the home side’s early lead was quickly turned over.

Here are the results:

17/08/2019: Lancaster City 2-1 Stafford Rangers (Northern Premier League)
21/12/2019: Stafford Rangers 0-3 Lancaster City (Northern Premier League)
05/10/2021: Lancaster City 0-2 Stafford Rangers (Northern Premier League)
19/03/2022: Stafford Rangers 1-2 Lancaster City (Northern Premier League)
05/11/2022: Lancaster City 1-2 Stafford Rangers (Northern Premier League)