Late double sends Swans to another away defeat
STAPENHILL, able to call on only 12 available players, held out until the late stages before succumbing to a 3-0 Midlands League Division One defeat away to Paget Rangers.
The Swans clung on to the hope of salvaging a point, even though they fell behind following an error from goalkeeper Tom Cox just before half-time, only for two further strikes in the final 11 minutes to put Paget out of sight.
The pressure was on Stapenhill from the start, as Craig Evans headed inches over from an early corner, but the away side did have their moments.
George Teeney made room for a shot which tested goalkeeper Conal Dowling, then Jacob Yeomans’ volley was just too high following a Niall Dawkins corner.
Stapenhill were forced into their only possible change after 34 minutes by an injury to Sam Grice but Teeney forced a good block from keeper Dowling.
Torryn Connolly then squandered a good chance for Paget but, two minutes before the break, the striker put his side ahead as his shot slipped between the goalkeeper’s legs and went over the line.
Connolly could have doubled the advantage a minute later but Paget had to wait until 79 minutes before giving themselves breathing space.
Ross Dempster chased clear from a through ball and beat Cox to the ball to clip in the second goal and the outcome was confirmed after 85 minutes when Fraser Doyle hit in a low centre which was turned in by substitute Ryan Walker.