Thorley's challenge for season end

Stafford Rangers midfielder Tom Thorley has challenged his team-mates to end the season unbeaten with safety in the Blue Square North all but secure.

The Marston Road club's four-point return over the Easter weekend means only a dramatic collapse, aided with a near perfect end to the season for bottom club Harrogate, will see them relegated this season.

Their place in the league for next season will be mathematically secure if Rangers go to Gloucester and match the basement boys' result at Blyth Spartans on Saturday, after Chris Brindley's team beat Vauxhall Motors on Saturday and took a point from Solihull Moors on Monday.

But Thorley insists the hard work does not end there, and has urged the team to add to the three games they have already gone without defeat and make it six unbeaten by the season's end.

The hometown youngster, who turned 20 this week, wants the best possible momentum to take into the summer holidays and feels a mid-table finish represents just that.

He said: "It's highly unlikely Harrogate can catch us, so I would say that we are pretty much safe now. It's a huge weight off our shoulders and you could see that on Monday, the lads felt a bit more relaxed after the win on Saturday and that showed in our play.

"With three games to go, hopefully we can go out and enjoy it, not fearing anything what is ahead. It's a challenge for us to end the season unbeaten, and that is what the gaffer has been getting across to us.

"To finish on a high would be a job well done."