Stafford Rangers 3-0 Marine

Marine went down to defeat on Tuesday night, as hosts Stafford Rangers ran out comfortable winners at Marston Road in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Sean Hessey made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at home to Stourbridge on Saturday, Liam Willis replacing the injured Robbie Threlfall and leading scorer Danny Mitchley coming in for Obi Anoruo.

The Mariners had the better of the early exchanges, Lewis Field's good work down the right setting up Mitchley to fire a shot in to the side netting from a tight angle.

A number of strong tackles resulting in cautions for Liam Willis, James Short and Field got the home support and players fired up and they quickly took control of proceedings, goalkeeper Calvin Hare pulling off an excellent double save to keep out an initial long range strike from Sean Geddes and Josh Gordon's effort from the rebound.

Kyle Perry put a decent opening wide of the target before Geddes came within a whisker of opening the scoring, his shot on the turn coming back off the inside of the far post with Hare beaten.

Short was then in action with an immaculately timed tackle to deny Elliot Hodge, as the Mariners held out to the break with the scores blank.

Rangers took the lead ten minutes in to the second half, several failed attempts to clear the ball any distance from goal leaving Kris Taylor with the chance to shoot, the midfielder producing a fine finish to beat Hare in to the top corner of the net.

Kurt Sherlock sent a free kick wide of Adam Whitehouse's left hand post but the response from the Mariners was brief, Geddes adding a second goal for Stafford with a low shot from just outside the area on 70 minutes.

Perry made sure of the points with the third nine minutes later, rising to head in a cross from the left flank.

Mitchley took a quick free kick in injury time for the Mariners held comfortably by Whitehoue, which was the Crosby side's only shot on target on a night to forget for the visitors.

Marine's next game is at Whitby Town on Saturday before they entertain Nantwich Town on Tuesday 18th October (7.45pm).

Stafford Rangers: Adam Whitehouse, Sam Griffiths, James Bowen, Michael Townsend (Cap), Kieran Morris, Kris Taylor, Elliot Hodge, Joshua Gordon (Izak Reid 81), Kyle Perry (Mathew Bailey 87), Sean Geddes (Levi Reid 90), Richard Batchelor.

Unused subs: George Bowerman, Kieran Preston. Cautions: Bowen, Perry.

Marine: Calvin Hare, Lewis Field, James Short, Liam Goulding, Karl Clair (Ryan O'Hare 62), Liam Willis, MJ Monaghan (Warren Bellew 77), Billy Smart, Danny Mitchley (Cap), Kurt Sherlock (Craig Lindfield 77), Joe Mwasile.

Unused subs: Obi Anoruo, Sean Hessey. Cautions: Field, Short, Willis.

Referee: Mr. Philip Hardisty; Assistants Mr. Richard Walker, Mr. Ashley Allen.

Attendance: 386.