Integro League Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 30 October 2018

Stafford Rangers progressed to the 3rd round of the Integro Cup but were made to work hard for it by Division One West side Chasetown. Both teams named strong line ups and it was Rangers who made the early running as they took the lead in the 4th minute through Jake Charles who converted a first time cross from Josh Green.

Chasetown responded and a counter attack, led by Danny Cocks put Tom Hill in but, with just Adam Whitehouse to beat, he lifted the ball over the bar. Izak Reid and Green both went just wide for Rangers before they doubled their lead on 17 minutes. Reid sent in a deep cross and Tom Thorley was left unmarked to volley in at the back post. Again, Chasetown had an early opportunity to respond as Jack Partridge found Will Whieldon in a yard of space but Adam Whitehouse parried away a good strike from the former Stafford triallist.

But Rangers were largely in control of the first half playing some good football and creating a number of chances but just unable to find that killer third goal. Theo Bailey-Jones struck a couple of efforts at Chasetown keeper Curtis Pond who then saved well with his feet to deny Charles.

Rangers made a couple of substitutions at half time while the home side made all three including the introduction of former Boro players Jack Langston and George Cater. And, within two minutes of the restart, they were back in the contest. A corner on the right came back out to Whieldon and he sent in a high cross which Whitehouse fumbled into the net under his bar. The Chasetown man got the credit but it was one that the Dubious Goals panel would have taken a good look at.

Chasetown looked more and more threatening as they searched for the equaliser. Whitehouse made amends for his earlier error with good saves from Whieldon, Langston and Cater but Chasetown’s hopes were dented with 7 minutes left when Cocks went flying in the area. Referee Scott Chalkley deemed it simulation and dismissed the Chasetown man for a second yellow. It may have been a lucky escape for Rangers as officials from both camps thought he had been clipped. Both sides missed out on chances in the final exchanges with Rangers’ Harry Benns denied by Pond while Whitehouse saved from Muzzy Nduna.

Chasetown: 1 Curtis Pond, 2 Harry Goode, 3 Matthew Hardiman, 4 Richard Smith (15 Jack Langston 46m) , 5 James O’Neill, 6 Ryan Wynter, 7 Jack Partridge, 8 Tom Urwin (14 George Cater 46m) , 9 Tom Hill (12 Muzzy Nduna 46m) , 10 Will Whieldon, 11 Danny Cocks. Unused Sub 16 Sam Luke (only 4 subs named)

Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Lewis Banks, 3 James Askey, 4 Luke Jones, 5 Daniel Burns, 6 Josh Green (14 Andrai Jones 64m), 7 Theo Bailey-Jones, 8 Jack Sherratt (12 Ethan Stanton 46m), 9 Jake Charles, 10 Tom Thorley, 11 Izak Reid (16 Harry Benns 46m). Unused Subs 15 Joe Cuff, 17 Ben Chilcott

Cautions: Hardiman, Wynter (Chasetown) Reid, Bailey-Jones (Rangers)

Sent Off: Cocks (Chasetown) – 2 cautions

Referee: Scott Chalkley

Att: 198

Report: Chris Elsley

Buildbase FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round
Saturday 27 October 2018

Stafford Rangers put their league struggles behind them to beat local rivals Rushall Olympic in the FA Trophy, but they had to play almost the entire second half with 10 men after defender Dan Burns was sent off for pulling back Rushall forward Ben Lund.

The trio of Luke Jones, Izak Reid and Jack Sherratt were back in the starting line-up for Rangers with Harry Benns dropping to the bench. Injured duo Louis Briscoe and Kyle Perry were missing altogether. Rangers had looked the most promising in a fairly quiet start and Jack Sherratt sent the first message of intent, but his shot failed to trouble Joe Slinn.

Lewis Banks at least forced a save from Slinn after receiving a good ball from Reid, but it was Rushall who opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Lund timed his run to beat the offside trap and gather Ashley Sammons’ ball over the top and advanced to slot past Adam Whitehouse. But the lead was short lived, and Rangers were back on level terms on 16 minutes. A right-wing corner from Theo Bailey-Jones was struck goalward by both Jones and Jake Charles. Slinn made the initial save with his feet but Burns was on hand to add the finishing touch.

Seven minutes later Rangers were in front as a low centre from Bailey-Jones was swept in by Ethan Stanton – the shot taking a deflection off a Rushall defender to beat Slinn. Stafford were now in confident mood, but they were unable to make any further additions to the score while, at the other end, they had a scare when Burns’ back pass fell short and Whitehouse had to race of his line to clear.
Rangers’ chances received a setback just three minutes into the second half when Burns misjudged a header then pulled back Lund, who would have been through on goal, and was sent off.

There could be no complaints but, fortunately, Whitehouse saved any further punishment with a good save from Sammons’ free kick.
Whitehouse came to his side’s rescue again on the hour with a good save from Daniel Waldron’s close-range header then Sam Whittall headed over. Another Whitehouse save – this time from Sammons – kept Rangers in front as Rushall put the pressure on.
The Pics threw on big guns Richard Brodie and Justin Richards with around 20 minutes to go and with the final kick of the game Brodie missed an absolute sitter when he somehow put the ball over from less than a yard out.

It was an encouraging display from Rangers who deserved to progress. Jake Charles worked hard up front, particularly in the second half when Rangers were down to 10 men, while Tom Thorley was the master of midfield.

Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Lewis Banks, 3 James Askey, 4 Luke Jones, 5 Daniel Burns, 6 Ethan Stanton (14 Josh Green 33m), 7 Theo Bailey-Jones, 8 Jack Sherratt, 9 Jake Charles (12 Harry Benns 88m), 10 Tom Thorley, 11 Izak Reid (15 Sam Coulson 49m). Unused Subs 16 Joe Cuff, 17 Morgan Bacon (gk)

Rushall: 1 Joe Slinn, 2 Tyler Lyttle, 3 Brian Smikle, 4 Simeon May (17 Justin Richards 71m), 5 Joe Hull, 6 Sam Whittall, 7 Edwin Ahenkorah (14 Richard Brodie 67m), 8 Kevin Monteiro (12 Orrin Pendley 46m), 9 Ben Lund, 10 Ashley Sammons, 11 Daniel Waldron. Unused Subs 15 Liam Truslove, 16 AJ Adelekan.

Cautions: Sammons (Rushall)
Sent Off: Burns (Rangers)
Referee: Daniel Hitchell

Att: 371

Report: Chris Elsley