Brindley hails on-loan duo

Stafford Rangers assistant manager Chris Brindley has hailed teenage matchwinners Jimmy Phillips and Tom Thorley.

The pair – both on loan from Stoke City – teamed up to notch Rangers' winning goal against Blyth Spartans on Saturday.

It was Phillips' debut when he came on as a second half substitute. He supplied the cross for Thorley to notch his third Blue Square North goal this season.

Phillips is at Marston Road on a month's loan, while Thorley is past the midway point of a three-month loan deal.

"They are both good lads. Their attitude is spot on and they are a credit to Stoke and their families," said a beaming Brindley, who is in charge while manager Steve Bull is away on business in the US.

"We've seen what Tom can do, now Jimmy. He's obviously a very talented lad. After the first five or 10 minutes he showed the bit of quality he's got.

"We have him for a month – and hopefully a bit longer, that's the route I would like to go down."

This was only the second home win for Rangers this season and only the second goal at home so far.

Brindley said: "We weren't brilliant, but I thought we edged it and it was a fair result.

"It was vital we won the game today, otherwise we could have been languishing in the lower half of the table.

"We don't score enough goals, but I'm pleased we didn't panic until we got our chance.

"The effort is there and clean sheets are the most important thing, for me, at the moment."

Brindley will be in charge again when Rangers visit Alfreton tomorrow night for the re-arranged Setanta Shield tie.