Saturday 5th April 2008

Vics 4 (Steele 19 Roberts 32 Belle 45 Byrne 52 pen)
Stafford 3 (Grayson 23 pen Flynn 29 Wellecomme 59)

This vital fixture began with Vics setting the pace and a driven free kick from Welch defeated the wall only for Danny Alcock to produce an unlikely save with his outstretched leg. An underhit back pass from Belle almost let in Wellecomme but Connett reacted quicky to race from his line and eliminate the danger. Steele and Mullan cleverly combined to end with Steele having a goal bound shot blocked out.

Moments later STEELE again broke free to score with another precision finish into the corner of the net. Against the run of play Stafford were given their first lifeline when, following an initially harsh free kick award, the kick was launched into the Vics box, where Crowell was adjudged to have bundled Lukes to the ground. GRAYSON stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.

Vics continued to play the ball to feet and create openings and after a precise move had won a corner a short kick from Mullan ended with Byrom curling a shot wide. Yet Rangers, to their credit, proved determined to undermine the home side's superiority and took an unexpected lead when FLYNN back headed a free kick that looped over the flailing Connett and into the net.

Vics response to finding themselves behind in a game that they had dominated was immediate and moments later ROBERTS scored from close range to bring the score back level. Stafford then went on to enjoy their best spell of the game and Connett had to be alert to keep out a Grayson strike before Wellecomme headed wide when well placed. With half time imminent, a melee around the half way mark ended with Sangare from Stafford and Byrom from Vics being booked. Byrne showed admirable precision in directing the subsequent free kick onto the head of BELLE to score with an unchallenged header.

Vics appeared to have sealed a win six minutes after the break following a Sangare foul on David Brown inside the box leaving Michael BYRNE to step up and score with aplomb from the spot to cement Vics' lead and give his Dad, Michael senior, an additional 50th birthday present.

Yet typically Vics were never going to make this a straight forward exercise, and WELLECOME scored from a Flynn cross to reduce the arrears and ensure an uncomfortable finish. As it was the home side finished the stronger and David Brown wasted opportunities before Crowell had a certain goal blocked out.

For the first time in some considerable time Vics have moved out of the relegation zone and further belief and support is required for Tuesday's game at home to Forest Green.

Team: 5-3-2
Welch, Belle, Roberts /
Mullan (Carr 61), Crowell, Byrom, Byrne, R. Brown /
D. Brown, Steele /
Subs not used: Tynan, Horrocks, Meadowcroft, Burns.
Referee: R. Fletcher
Attendance: 971
Man of the Match: Ryan Brown