Rangers boss unhappy despite win

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes tore into his players after the game against Woodley Sports despite the team ending pre-season with a win.

Clowes' men ran out 2-0 winners at Marston Road on Saturday, Chris Budrys' first-half opener added to by a goal from substitute Neville Thompson in the second-half.

It left Rangers unbeaten in four pre-season matches ahead of their first game of the Evo-Stik Northern League campaign, at home to FC United of Manchester.

But Clowes was deeply unhappy with a sub-standard performance from his side, regardless of the result.

He said: "The players found exactly what my thoughts were on Saturday after the game and it was a wake-up call that some of them probably thought they might not get.

"There were some very, very stern words because, compared to the two previous games against better teams, it was not acceptable.

"They were told very clearly that, if they want to put performances like that in, they might as well go and find somewhere else to play.

"If it had been the first pre-season game, I might have cut them a bit of slack but, unfortunately, they have set some standards now.

"There were just glimpses of what we could do."

Rangers drafted Daniel Brown into defence, with Charlie Reeves out injured and set to leave the club to work overseas after playing in Saturday's game.

Clowes has decided against signing Brown but revealed he is close to bringing in another defender on loan.

He said: "I shan't be taking him, he's not what I am looking for. But I hope to have something tied up by tomorrow."