Lackluster Display Sees Poor League Form Continue

Town huffed, puffed, coughed and spluttered but failed to produce any real moments of quality in this disappointing showing in sunny but windy Shropshire.

The pattern for the match from a Stafford perspective was set in the opening minutes with CB Ryan Bradshaw picking up an avoidable booking due to an under hit flicked first time pass from midfielder Morgan Payne. The refusal to get the ball under control on a challenging surface throughout the encounter would prove to be Towns self inflicted nemesis throughout and led to those in a red shirt constantly giving the ball away needlessly.

The hosts started brightly moving the ball well, probing for that incisive through ball that would get their lively front two of Dave Howarth and Josh Dunne in behind the Town back line. On the five minute mark the two combined to warm the gloves of visiting stopper Henry Smith.

Town settled down with Ryan Taylor looking the more likely to create something positive out on the left flank. Indeed as the half wore on the contest between Taylor and his right back marker was developing into an intriguing one. 20 mins in and Dave Howarth intercepted a Harry Bowers pass out from the back and almost fully capitalised but his offload was dragged wide by fellow striker Dunne on this occasion. The hosts were in control by the half hour mark with only keeper Smith retaining parity with a succession of smart saves. Ten minutes before the break the deadlock was nearly broken against the run of play. Nathan Scott came to life beating the home right back and squaring for Ben Wood to open his body but his attempt lacked power enabling the Ellesmere keeper to smother at the second attempt. HT 0-0.

Five minutes into the restart saw Ryan Taylor go on a mazey run before cutting inside and delivering an enticing cross to the back post but the Town front line were caught flat footed and couldn't get on the end of it. Both sides appeared to be taking it in turns to attack by this stage and sure enough Ellesmere were straight back up the other end. A quick counter attack culminated it Howarth again seeing his attempt just off target. The dominance was building and this time it was Blake Robinson who was denied by Smith.

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute and was a poor goal from a Stafford viewpoint. Defenders were too far off their markers and Josh Dunne was afforded the space to advance from 35 yards out, into the Town penalty area. As Smith advanced Dunne lofted the ball over him and into the net under pressure from the sliding right back Ravel Wallace.

Town rallied and almost struck back immediately; young Ruben Coomer sprayed the ball wide to the advancing Wallace who struck cleanly through the laces but home stopper Oliver Hawkins was equal to it. Several more forays forward came and went but the hosts held on to take the points.