CLAYTON DOUBLE INSPIRES THE DUCKS
ABLISTERING performance by Shaw Lane put them top after putting five past Stafford Rangers.
The two clubs have history together as two seasons ago the visitors beat the hosts to the title by a single point.
Stafford manager Neil Kitching named an unchanged side, while Craig Elliott admitted he was feeling apprehensive with captain Ryan Qualter amongst those missing for the game.
Elliott, short of options, changed formation putting two forwards on from the start instead of one.
Both sides had nearly moments early on, but Damian Reeves, the extra attacker, broke the deadlock on 14 minutes.
Reeves headed home Alex Byrne’s cross.
Chances were aplenty and Stafford will feel unlucky not have made more from their three successive corners just before the 20 minute mark.
Jack Langston with the best effort deflected wide.
Reeves was involved in the next goal.
The in-form striker directed a ball by Spencer Harris on 21 minutes to
Shaw Lane’s Paul Clayton. Clayton headed over Adam Whitehouse after the initial shot was parried by the keeper.
Rangers’ heads appeared to drop and while they may have been feeling downtrodden Shaw Lane went for the jugular.
Two more goals before half time saw defender Cameron Hough, in for the absent Qualter, tuck home his first for the club, from a Byrne corner.
The game was all but put to bed in added time with winger Nicky Walker dancing past the static Exodus Geohagen.
Clayton put away his second, and sixth league goal of the campaign, at the near post. Credit to Stafford Rangers. They came out in the second half with fresh determination.
A triple substitution on 51 minutes was the catalyst for a mini-revival.
Rangers’ top scorer Daniel Westwood grabbed one back on 56 minutes, scoring his first goal during September.
Westwood then added to any growing nerves for the home crowd when he fired a penalty into the bottom left corner just seven minutes later.
Fresh desire came with the introduction of Sam Osborne. His left wing cross 19 minutes from time was put away by Byrne.
“It’s difficult to motivate yourself and get going again after a big first half,” admitted the Shaw Lane boss.