Express & Star

Stafford Rangers aim for seventh heaven in safety fight

Stafford Rangers will look to push themselves closer to safety when they travel to Hyde United in the Northern Premier tomorrow (3pm), writes Joe Selwood.

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Boro are two places above the relegation zone with a seven-point cousin over third-bottom Mickleover Sports having gone six games without defeat.

But joint-manager Alex Meechan is wary of a Hyde side who are ninth in the standings. He said: “It’s going to be a tough one for us as it’s on the 4G (Hyde’s artificial pitch) and they’re a good side.

“We played them earlier in the season and a few people said we were the better side on the day, but we lost 3-1.”

Stafford are almost back to full strength with Josh Keen, nursing an ankle injury, the only player unavailable for them.

League rivals Hednesford Town made two late signings ahead of the closure of the player registration window yesterday.

Attacking midfielder Andre Wright and striker Bradley Wells have signed on the dotted line ahead of their Northern Premier fixture at home to Matlock Town tomorrow.

Wright – who has previously played for Kidderminster Harriers, Torquay United and Nuneaton Borough – started his youth career with Albion, but failed to make a first-team appearance for them.

Bradley Wells is the brother of Pitmen’s striker Kieran and they will link up again – a strike partnership which started the season together at Spalding United.

Chasetown travel to play-off-chasing Colne in Northern One West tomorrow.

Rushall Olympic host Needham Market in a mid-table clash in Southern Central.

The Pics have gone unbeaten through March – six games in all competitions..

Rushall’s manager Liam McDonald said: “The lads are playing with plenty of confidence at the moment – we have an identity in the way that we want to do things and the players are buying into that and it’s working really well for us. We’re improving all of the time and that is extremely important. We’re working hard as a team, defending from the front, and everyone is playing their part to make us solid.”

Stourbridge face mid-table St Ives Town at home as they look ahead to the play-offs.

The Glassboys are second in Southern Central, but are 11 points behind league leaders Kettering town with eight matches to go.

Halesowen Town visit play-off hopefuls King’s Lynn Town with new signing Kartel O’Neill-Martin, who rejoined the club last night, as they desperately look to pick up points to avoid relegation.

Lee Hughes’ side are eight points away from safety with as many games to play.

Mark Yates’ Kidderminster Harriers make the trip to Altrincham in a battle for the National League North play-off spots.

Harriers are eighth, one place behind tomorrow’s opponents, who occupy the final play-off qualification position and hold a game in hand.

Neil MacFarlane was still in charge when the sides met in the reverse fixture back in September – Harriers came out on top 3-2, courtesy of goals from Ed Williams, Dan Bradley and Ashley Chambers.