Evo Stik Division One South
Stafford Rangers 0-1 Shaw Lane Aquaforce
James Walshaw scored the winner at Stafford Rangers on his debut for Shaw Lane Aquaforce
Debutant James Walshaw rekindled Shaw Lane Aquaforce’s title hopes with the second half winner to complete on the double on runaway leaders Stafford Rangers.
Shaw Lane have cut Stafford’s lead to 20 points and if they win their seven games-in-hand they will move one point above them. With the experience of last season of having to win a similar amount of games-in-hand to lift the NCEL Premier Division title in their heads, many now may fancy Aquaforce.
Arguably the most pleasing aspect of the victory was the clean sheet, their third in a row.
It was tight and both teams cancelled themselves out in a forgettable first half.
Stafford had two blocked chances before Aquaforce stunned the majority of the tremendous 1007 crowd that turned out for the eagerly-anticipated top of the table clash.
Substitute Adam Priestley injected some life into the game on the hour with a run towards the posts. His goal-bound effort was turned away. But from the corner, Walshaw managed to score with a header.
Gavin Allott wasted a chance to kill Stafford off, but it did not matter as Aquaforce comfortably held on to secure the vital victory.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Morgan, Stohrer, O’Brien, Istead, Radford, Meynell, Youhill, Thornhill (captain), Allott, Walshaw, Wafula. Subs: Priestley, Dempsey, Hands, Grant, Gathercole.