The game started brightly enough, and Tom Spall had the ball in the back of the net on 10mins. Rising to head home, only for it to be disallowed because of an infringement in the goalmouth. And Rangers took the lead on 20mins. When Vas Nikolaidis put through on goal, as he tried to cut inside the defender he lifted the ball with the outside of his right foot and it hit the defenders outstretched arm. The referee gave the penalty, which Vas converted. 1-0 Rangers.

Unfortunately instead of spurring Rangers on, the game fell into a midfield tussle. Staveley where trying to play the ball about and Rangers seemed happy to only stifle them, showing little but long balls for the Fordham/ Nikolaidis front pair to chase.

Rangers won a corner on 41mins. The initial cross was cleared to the edge of the box to Ian Fenton. He was caught in two minds before trying to play the ball out to the Corner taker. The ball was intercepted and quickly pumped upfield, Michael Banks attempted to head clear but it went over him leaving Staveley two on one with Rick Moyse chasing. As Staveleys Leon Wainman reached the edge of the box, Moyse had caught up but went to ground in the Tackle leaving Billy Green having to mark two. Wainman squared the ball to Paul Hurrell to tap home.1-1

It was a catalogue of errors that summed up the half for Rangers, who seemed hung over from the Goole games showing little of the drive or attacking play that their start to the season had promised.

Half-Time 1-1

The second half progressed as the first had ended, ex Newcastle Utd. And Southampton player John Beresford went undisturbed, stroking the ball about from the back, as Rangers were content to allow Staveley the possession.

Winterton still managed a few attacks, and when Fordham closed down Staveley’s Lee Wainwright on 57mins. he released Vas Nikolaidis. Vas skipped around two challenges before opting to play the ball out to Rick Moyse who shot across the face. Vas has all the ability in the world but will not take a strike at goal, if he adds that he would slot into the role Australia bound Rhys Pindar has left.

Leigh Herrick was summoned into action on 63mins. And did well to tip over a goal-bound header after a cross from the right.  Rangers then made a double substitution, off went Fordham and Moyse replaced by Blanchard and Richards.

On 67mins Staveley carved open a chance for Hurrell but his shot was straight at Herrick. A minute later Hurrell was found in the box, and this time he made no mistake as he guided his shot away from the stretching Herrick. 1-2 Staveley.

The double substitution sparked some life into the lethargic Rangers and they created the best move of the game on 70mins. When Richards and Blanchard linked well before Fordham beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper and slotted home the equaliser. 2-2.

Maybe this would inject some urgency into the Rangers play. No, but it did into Staveley. Again Winterton were caught up field at a corner, and the quick Staveley break saw Louis Axcell shot across the face. A minute later on 73mins. Staveley won a corner, the in swinger fell to Lee Wainwright (the biggest guy on the park) unmarked on the penalty spot and with a stooping dive headed low into the corner.2-3 Staveley

Frustration set into Rangers play with a succession of fouls going against them, Dave Ricardo was probably lucky to stay on the park for one tackle that produced a yellow card, and he was substituted soon after, replaced by local lad Steve Browne.

As the game drew to a close, Vas Nikolaidis had a glorious chance to equalise when Richards through ball sent him into the box shoulder to shoulder with Beresford. Vas was too strong but he pulled his shot wide.

FINAL SCORE 2-3

When speaking to Manager Steve Smith after the game he felt “…it was a comedown from the FA Cup, we were collectively and individually poor today, but hopefully a wake-up call for the rest of the season. We expected to just walk out and win today.” He was also disappointed with the amount of missed chances,”….. if we converted the amount of chances we created we would have won today and still be in the FA Cup…”