Express & Star

Lancaster City 2 Stafford Rangers 1 - Report

Stafford Rangers suffered an opening day 2-1 defeat after Lancaster City goalkeeper Samuel Ashton pulled off a flurry of late saves to earn his side the win.

Published

After showing dangerous signs from the outset City opened the scoring after Robert Wilson’s free-kick flew into the net.

Within the opening 25 minutes Matthew Blinkhorn was posing a threat again this time holding his man up and then shooting wide on the turn.

City netted a second goal on the 32nd minute when Wilson’s free-kick was this time drilled into the box and Jack Armer slotted home on his debut.

Rangers turned the tide after the break and Theo Bailey-Jones sent a warning sign but fired his shot over the bar.

Substitute Evan Garnett then made an impact for the Boro sending an effort wide before pulling a goal back with six minutes remaining.

However, Ashton was to earn his side the points with a flurry of late saves to deny the traveling Rangers any points.