Staveley MW vs Hall Road Rangers

Inkersall Road

Saturday March 24

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

By Neil Winsor

IT’S crunch time for Hall Road Rangers as they face a potential relegation six-pointer at Staveley MW tomorrow.

A positive display on Wednesday night in the home defeat to Pontefract Collieries, indicated Bill Gill and his side are ready to fight tooth and nail, and against the odds to preserve their NCEL Premier Division status.

They face a different challenge from a Staveley side fresh off a 3-1 win at Athersley Recreation in midweek, but could potentially be dragged back into the scrap at the bottom of the table should Rangers return to East Yorkshire with three points, considering their games in hand also.

The earlier season game was a scrappy affair with defensive pairing Louis Bruce and James Piercy netting in a 2-1 win amidst a seven game unbeaten run and only Bill Gill’s second home game in charge.

This game could be more of the same and may come down to either a moment of quality, or which team wants the win more.

The signs were encouraging from the Hall Road camp in midweek, however Pontefract’s added quality was the telling factor as they punished Hall Road for not adding to their slender half-time lead, as Rangers lost out 3-1.

With fifteen games remaining, time is still on Hall Road’s side so to speak, and a positive result, at a tough place to visit and a club that have consistently finished in the top-half of the table, may kickstart Hall Road’s season which has frustratingly stuttered in terms of form over the winter months.