Fine performance lacked a winning goal

Dec 3 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

PICKING up their first away point a week after recording the season’s first victory, this might have been a good result for Vics, but in fact it was a disappointment if they have realistic hopes of escaping from Blue Square Premiership relegation.

Despite ending goalless, the game contained plenty of interest with hairs-breadth escapes at both ends and notably good goalkeeping by Northwich’s Scott Tynan and Scott Loach for Rangers in his last game before returning to Watford. Dino Maamria’s team enjoyed the edge in the first half with Luke Akins and Lee Steele both going close, while ex-Aston Villa striker Neil Grayson, now 43, forced a great save from Tynan.

Vics were forced to reshuffle in the second half due to injuries sustained by wingers Luke Horrocks and Danny Williams but neither substitute Dave Morning nor Mark Farquarson was able to come to terms with the pace of the game, indicating how thinly Vics’ talent is currently spread.

Without a home win and lying just three points ahead of Northwich in 23rd place, Rangers came desperately near to breaking the ice on 75 minutes when David McNiven’s shot struck an upright before being grabbed by Tynan on the line.

Stafford have massive off-the-field problems having lost their financial backer as well as manager Phil Robinson and may soon be forced into administration.

Vics, on the other hand hope to be able to announce their non-playing problems have been solved during the next 48 hours.

STAFFORD: Loach; Sutton, Daniel, Sangare (Richards 46), Potter; Humphrey, Mawene (Smith 64), Draper, Flynn; Grayson, McNiven. Booked: Sangare, Draper. .

NORTHWICH: Tynan; Rusk, Kerr, Welch, Battersby; Williams (Farquarson 70), Carr, Johnson, Horrocks (Morning 60); Steele, Akins. Booked: Akins, Wilson.

REFEREE: M Brown (Hull).

ATTENDANCE: 886.