Last season Scarborough won 3-1 here at Marston Road in their first ever visit to Marston Road. However, if you go back in history under the “old” Scarborough name before their current re incarnation, then you find that Rangers v Scarborough was a regular fixture in both Northern Premier League and Conference before Neil Warnock took them into the football league.

If you look back at our Northern Premier League meetings at home between 1969/70 and 1978/79 we met 10 times, winning 8, drawing 1 and losing 1 with aggregate scores of 18 for and 7 against. Our Alliance Premier League (under its various sponsorships) home games between 1979/80 to 1982/83 and 1985/86 to 1986/87 did not fare as well but in 6 games we won 2, drew 3 and lost 1 with aggregate scores of 6-6. Therefore, historically we hold the upper hand over the “old” Scarborough, so nee to start putting that record to the test with the new club and hope to attain our first victory over them at the 4th attempt.

From last Saturday’s draw with Warrington, which felt like a defeat we need to keep that momentum going and pick up the much needed 3 points. Thanks to our two recent Staffs Senior and Walsall Senior Cup wins, albeit against step 5 and 6 sides, it prompted some wag on Tuesday night to say we are unbeaten in 3. We therefore need to make that unbeaten in 4. Scarborough obviously come looking to end that run.

Scarborough currently lie 10th with 35 points from their 27 games. Away from home Scarborough have won 4 and lost 9, with no draws. You cannot gauge how they are on their travels with wins and defeats against our relegation colleagues. However, they have a habit of losing heavily away from home with Stalybridge and Buxton putting 5 past them.

Could make for an interesting and entertaining game so please get on down to Marston Road to cheer the lads on.

Games played on January 25th this century
2003 Hinkley H 2-2 Southern League

Tuesday night and it’s cup football again. Fresh from securing a semi-final spot in the Walsall Senior Cup, Brocton stand in our way from making it to the semi-final of the Staffordshire Senior Cup. As holders we want to progress to defend our cup in a final at Stoke or Port Vale, but Brocton will be looking for revenge as we knocked them out of the Walsall Senior Cup on their ground last November.

Both teams saw strange results on Saturday. Why we held playoff chasing Warrington, Brocton lost at home to Uttoxeter Town. While we lie bottom in the step 3 league Brocton are second in their step 6 league, but sadly a long way behind runaway leaders Leicester Road. The way football goes, the two teams could be a lot closer in the non-league pyramid this time next season.

With that in mind we must ensure that Rangers take the positive approach and repeat the Walsall Senior Cup performance when we beat Brocton 4-0 earlier this season. No doubt Brocton will come to Marston Road to “put one over” their senior neighbours, and again with next season in mind, put in a performance to set up a potential move across town.

Please come on down to Marston Road on Tuesday night to see what should be an entertaining game, and despite their name being a village between Stafford and Cannock, they do play within the borough of Stafford, so we should have a “Stafford” team in the semi-finals.

Games played on 21st January this century

2006 Hyde 1-0 Conference North
2012 Stocksbridge 5-1 Northern Premier League
2017 Grantham 0-1 Northern Premier League