Stafford Rangers v. Witton Albion

Witton make their second trip into Staffordshire in three days on Tuesday night when they take on Stafford Rangers in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.

They will certainly be hoping for a different outcome to the one they suffered at Newcastle Town on Saturday.

Seemingly in a comfortable position at 3-1 up, what followed was totally inexplicable but then that can happen in football and the second half performance is one that Ben Harrison and the players will be wanting to get out of their system.

Stafford go into the game five places and four points better off than Witton so, three more vital points are on offer.

Having made a decent start to the season where they won four of their opening six league games, Rangers haven’t won since beating Nantwich Town on Bank Holiday Monday in August.

Like Witton, a number of league games have been disrupted due to success in cup competitions but their last outing saw them take a point from Bootle in a goalless draw.

Last season’s meetings saw Stafford edge the game at Marston Road with the only goal whilst Witton secured the points in a 2-0 win at the U Lock It Stadium.

Four of the previous seven games between the two clubs have ended in draws but Witton have to go back to 2017 for their last victory at Marston Road.

A tough game can be expected and Witton will have to perform in order to get the right result.

Kick off at The Stan Robinson Stadium is 7.45pm.

STAFFORD RANGERS FC,
THE STAN ROBINSON STADIUM,
MARSTON ROAD,
STAFFORD,
STAFFORDSHIRE,
ST16 3UF.

Directions: Exit M6(South) at Junction 14. Follow A34 (Stone) on dual carriageway to the 2nd roundabout. Go straight across into Beaconside then take the third turning on the right onto Common Road. The stadium is 1 mile ahead. Brown tourist signs mark the route from the motorway to the stadium. (Total Distance - 41.4 miles).

Parking: There is limited official club parking in front of the ground, though plenty of adjoining street parking, particularly in the Industrial Estate opposite the ground.

Admission is by way of Card and cash payments at the turnstiles. Turnstiles are open from 6pm.

Admission Prices: Adults £13, Concessions £8, Students £8, 16 Year Olds and under £4.

Please note: There is a £2 charge for stand transfers.

Tickets can be bought in advance through Stafford Rangers online ticketing system @ www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk and also available on the gate.

Matchday Programme: £2.

Social Club: The Social Club is open from 6pm and has three function rooms and also has Satellite TV installed. Card payments are accepted at the Bar.

Please note: Advance notification from Stafford - All rooms within the Social Club have been booked and there will be long queues at the Bar. The club is opening the Fans Bar for the first time on a Tuesday night but this is Staffed by two volunteers. Please be patient when waiting to be served.

Please note: Alcohol is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker,

Refreshments: The Tea Bar is inside the stadium near to the Main Stand.

Toilet Facilities: There are toilet facilities including wheelchair accessible facilities within the Social Club building.

Full match commentary will be available on https://radio-witton.mixlr.com with Iain Wright and the team from 7.30pm

Match updates will appear on X @WittonAlbion and will also appear on here as and when they become available.

We’ll head off to this one with trepidation, do we get the reaction Ben needs or will we struggle again?

Stafford is always a tough place to go even in form but I guess play well and beatable.

Team wise that’s a tough one really, but I would go with 4 4 2

Keeper (new)

Farrall, Ebhote, Harrison, Hamman

Lawrie, Raymond, Bott

Harrop

Duckworth, Hoyle.

Not easy to pick because of recent poor form seems to indicate we need 2 or 3 players in asap.

Has Brazel left? Any news on Edwards and Jones injury yet? Harrop needs to be allowed to be further forward, in the hole if you will! He is not a winger!

Good luck lads. UTA

Think I read in Ben’s programe notes from the last home game that Brazel had a muscle injury.

Witton team news & latest score updates will appear here as and when they become available.

Team news: Witton make three changes to the starting line-up beaten by Newcastle Town on Saturday. Morgan Sutton keeps his place in goal whilst Tom Farrall, Player Manager Ben Harrison & Harry Brazel all start. Aaron Fleming drops down to the bench whilst Joel Bembo-Leta & Josh Langley are not involved. Harry Woods comes into the squad. Billy Jones & Joe Edwards are missing due to injury.

Witton team:

Morgan Sutton, Jacob Hamman, Tom Farrall, Ben Harrison, Geffry Ebhote, Adam Bott, James Lawrie, Harry Brazel, Joe Duckworth, Tom Hoyle, Max Harrop.

Subs: Freddy Garbutt, James Baillie, Aaron Fleming, Remi Raymond, Harry Woods.

Stafford Rangers have former Albion midfielder Jack Sherratt in their starting line-up.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 0 Witton Albion 1.

Tom Hoyle gives the Albion the lead on 8 minutes.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 0 Witton Albion 2.

Tom Hoyle gets his second of the game on 10 minutes.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 0 Witton Albion 3.

Joe Duckworth gets his ninth of the season on 16 minutes.

Yellow card:

Stafford Rangers Joe Cuff on 23 minutes.

Witton free-kick on 24 minutes is headed just wide by Player Manager Ben Harrison.

Latest Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 0 Witton Albion 3.

25 minutes played.

Daniel Cockerline’s shot from outside the box on 35 minutes is pushed round the post for a corner by Morgan Sutton in the Albion goal.

Yellow card:

Stafford Rangers Daniel Cockerline on 45+3 minutes.

Half Time Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 0 Witton Albion 3.

Shot from Jack Birch on 46 minutes is blocked by Albion keeper Morgan Sutton.

GOAL

Latest Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 1 Witton Albion 3.

Scott Wara pulls a goal back for Stafford Rangers on 49 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Jacob Hamman replaced by James Baillie on 51 minutes.

Yellow card:

Stafford Rangers Scott Wara on 55 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s James Lawrie on 56 minutes.

Latest Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 1 Witton Albion 3.

65 minutes played.

Witton Substitution:

Max Harrop replaced by Aaron Fleming on 66 minutes.

GOAL

Latest Score from The Stan Robinson Stadium:

Stafford Rangers 2 Witton Albion 3.

Daniel Cockerline reduces the arrears on 68 minutes.

Witton Substitution:

Joe Duckworth replaced by Freddy Garbutt on 72 minutes.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Freddy Garbutt on 78 minutes.

Penalty to Stafford Rangers on 79 minutes.

Albion keeper Morgan Sutton saves Daniel Cockerline’s spot-kick.

80 minutes played - Witton still lead 3-2.