Evo Stik Division One South
Stafford Rangers 1-1 Shaw Lane Aquaforce
Joe Lumsden on the attack for Stocksbridge in the 1-1 draw with Stafford Rangers. Picture: Ian Revitt
Stocksbridge did neighbours Shaw Lane Aquaforce a favour after holding runaway leaders Stafford Rangers to a draw.
Chris Hilton’s side took on top of the league Stafford Rangers for the second time in seven days, this time the manager was forced to make changes, Connor Griffin came in for skipper Liam Macfadyen while Keegan Burton was on the bench. Stafford started the better of the two teams and forced a corner within ten seconds after a good save by David Reay who deflected a cross over the crossbar.
Apart from a couple of long range attempts from the home side, the first half came to a close without the Steels having serious attempt on goal.
Just after the break David Reay once again made a couple of excellent saves, but it was Stocksbridge who were eventually took the lead after a back pass from Jermaine Johnson was missed by keeper Whitehouse and from the resulting corner Rory Coleman’s cross was bundled in by Matt Reay.
Steels had further chances a looping shot by Joe Lumsden saved by Whitehouse. But an injury to the debutant Connor Griffin may have changed the course of the game as Steels who were down to ten men failed to clear a high cross and the ball fell nicely for Christian Dacres to fire home and equalise.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: D Reay, Tootle, Coleman, Gregory, Griffin, M Reay, Hinchliffe, Biggins, Lumsden, Ruthven, Poulton. Subs: Burton, Rhodes, Thompson, Laight, Hilton.