MATCH REPORT - ELLESMERE RANGERS AWAY

Ellesmere Rangers 1 - 3 Stockport Town FC

Saturday 12th February 2022 @ Beech Grove Stadium

Attendance – 76

Town’s starting line up – Schofield, Johnston, Beckett, Tanswell-Vargas, Ebhote, Wrench, Green (Goal 53), Banda, Elstone (Goal 72), Walsh, Calligan (Goal 38). Subs; Jackson, Oliver, Kenny, Greenhalgh, Essien

MOM – Mike Elstone

Paul Turnbull led his Stockport Town side to Shropshire looking to pick up his 3rd win on the bounce as new Town boss.

Starting brightly Town created a number of chances on a very heavy pitch but failed to capitilise and against the run of play Ellesmere took the lead through the very energetic Jordan Davies who cause Town problems all afternoon. The Goal seemed to wake Ellesmere up and they went on to create 3 or 4 good opportunities to increase their lead, but Town stood firm and Schofield made some excellent saves.

Moving towards half time Town drew level, in some what dubious circumstances, everyone bar the Assistant Official thought Elstone was offside but he continued and played to the whistle, Elstone squared the ball to Calligan who slotted home Town’s equalizer into an empty net, Calligans goal takes him onto 12 goals so far for this season.

Town started the Second much improved after an inspired Half Time team talk. Winning every second ball and creating chance after chance. The ever lively Toby Green playing out on the right wing was causing problems, he scored a delightful goal on 53 minutes to put Town 2-1 ahead, Green beat his man and fired a shot hard and low from just inside the box past the Ellesmere goalkeeper and into the corner.

Although Town looked the more likely to go on and win the game Ellesmere did show the odd sign of attacking threat in the second half again through Jordan Davies and David Howarth both who had chances which were well defended by Town’s defensive duo Wrench and Ebhote.

In the 72nd Minute the game was decided with a goal to round off a great man of the match display by Mike Elstone, his quality shone through on a blustery and wet afternoon in Shropshire. Johnston and Tanswell-Vargas combined well down the right and the latter fed through a ball to Elstone who calmy slotted underneath the on rushing Ellesmere keeper to make it 3-1 to Town.

3 wins in 3 for Stockport Town and new manager Paul Turnbull. Next game is at Stockport Sports Village on Saturday 19th February when Town host Cammell Laird in NWCFL 1st Division South.