An away game at a seaside resort. Perhaps not so in February so avoid the beach and go and watch Stafford Rangers take on Scarborough.

It has been a long time since we played Scarborough away, but this is a new Scarborough and they no longer play at Seamer Road. The current Scarborough were formed on 25th June 2007 following the liquidation of Scarborough FC, so our only competitive game was the 3-1 defeat at Marston Road last October. 

The old name brings back many memories, with an FA Trophy Final, and both clubs representing the Northern Premier League in the Anglo Italian Cup. Our frequent league fixtures disappeared when Neil Warnock, and his team became champions of the Conference in 1987 becoming the first club to be automatically promoted into the Football League, and we helped them do it by defeating Barnet away in the final midweek fixtures. Incidentally their first game in the football league was at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Scarborough lost their league place on the last day of season 1998/99, when the famous last gasp goal from keeper Jimmy Glass ensured Carlisle’s survival and relegate Scarborough back to the Conference, twelve years after they had left it, and this being the first relegation in the history of Scarborough FC. By the end of season 2006/07 Scarborough were wound up.

Saturday’s game will be a stern test for our current league run of games. They lie 5th with 50 points from their 29 games but have tasted defeat 5 times at home in the league to sides in the top promotion chasing group, namely, Nantwich, Gainsborough, Hyde, South Shields and Farsley. Despite getting gates in excess of 1000, they are currently experiencing a dip in form having lost 7 of their last 11 league games. Perhaps a repeat of our Gainsborough game could be repeated.

For independent travellers, Scarborough now play at the Flamingo Land Stadium, Scarborough Sports Village, Ashburn Road, Scarborough, YO11 2JW. Admission is £10 adults, £5 concessions and kids under 11, free with an adult. For those looking at train travel, the 10:03 changing at Manchester and Huddersfield will get you to Scarborough at 13:35, returning 17:50, with the same changes getting home 21:24. Could be an expensive trip as adult return fares are around £90.

Games played this century on 9th February

2002       Merthyr               H             1-0          Southern League

2008       Weymouth         H             2-1          Conference

2013       Frickley                 H             3-3          Northern Premier League

Its cup football Tuesday again, with a Staffs Senior Cup tie. While no money is at stake in this competition, there is local pride on the table as we are the holders of the Staffs Senior Cup, and I am sure we want another visit to a League venue in the Potteries again.

This Tuesday we are at home to West Midlands League side, Wolverhampton Casuals. Do not be put off by their step 7 standing as they lie third in their league having won 17 of their 28 league games and have 58 points and a positive goal difference of 48, and remember we lost in the Walsall Senior Cup to Lye Town from step 6. They will come to us full of confidence as their last away game last month saw them win 7-0 at Black Country Rangers, so they will be looking to pull off a shock if they can knock out the holders.

This tie is a quarter final, and we hope to be in the hat for the semi-final. Rushall Olympic have already won through (beat Hednesford) and tonight Stone Old Alleynians entertain Stoke City, while the Kidsgrove v Newcastle tie takes place next week.

Andy and Alex intimated that their may be some changes for this game. Players may be rested for the trip to Scarborough in mind and some squad players may get much needed game time, as well as giving some of the youngsters a run out. In any event we will still put out a strong side capable of extending our run in this seasons Staffs Senior Cup. Please come on down to give the team the support they deserve.

Games we have played on February 5th this century.

2000       Tiverton               H             2-1          Southern League Division 1 West

2005       Hinkley                 H             1-1          Conference North

2008       Tamworth           A             1-2          FA Trophy round 3 replay

2011       Nuneaton           H             1-2          Conference North

The injury sustained by Josh Green on Tuesday night is not now believed to be as serious as at first thought.

The recovery period is not known at this time but a period of rest will be required and Josh will be out for an unspecified time.

We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

To steal the famous words of Lord Kitchener, “Your football club needs you”. Saturday’s game sees the dictionary definition of a 6 pointer. 19^th plays 18^th and a win either way moves that club a little way from the relegation trap door while a defeat could see the loser dropping into the bottom 3. The battle to avoid relegation is getting tougher as some of the clubs (including ourselves) have picked up points recently meaning that only 3 points separate the battling teams up to 14^th placed Witton Albion, and in theory any one in the bottom half of the table must be casting a look over their shoulder at the relegation battle. That is why your support is much needed to ensure the run in the league that Andy and Alex have put together continues. Obviously, we must discount our reverse on Tuesday as we bowed out of the Integro Cup.

On their travels in the league Lancaster have picked up 4 wins, at Buxton, Grantham, Hednesford and North Ferriby and gained a recent 1-1 at Warrington with Warrington equalising very late. They have picked up points recently too winning 8 points from a possible 15 in January and are unbeaten since their last defeat on New Year’s Day, so you could argue that they have picked up 8 points from the last 12 on offer. This is a complete reversal of form when you consider they lost their first 4 games of the season and it took to the last game of September to register their first league win. Therefore, this Lancaster team cannot be taken lightly as we look to improve on our 0-0 draw back at Giant Axe last November.

While we need to take that into account, we should not forget that Andy and Alex are trying to build on our own run to safety and apart from the Integro game, they have yet to taste defeat in the league with two draws and a win, the most recent two games seeing then come away from a demolition act on Grantham to beat them 5-0 and a well-earned point with a 1-1 draw at promotion chasing Gainsborough. Following on from those two good away performances we need to start making Marston Road a fortress and with your support we can start this process on Saturday. We need to be aware of three other games on Saturday that could be significant in movement in the lower half. Grantham entertain Workington, Marine play Scarborough and we hope South Shields can go home from Mickleover with a win to keep Mickleover in the bottom 3. I forecast many similar weekends to come as the season draws to a close.

Games played on February 2^nd this century.

2002      Welling                H            2-1         Southern League

2008      Tamworth           H            2-2         FA Trophy round 3 (lost the replay 1-2)

2013      Ilkeston                A             2-0         Northern Premier League

Stafford Rangers don’t do League Cups, so why go to Tuesday’s game. Well, since the managerial change the Rangers are now producing some good football, which has seen a 5-0 away win and a very good draw away to 6th placed Gainsborough.

So, do we fear 3rd placed Farsely? We now get the chance to get revenge on our 3-1 home league defeat in October and assess if we have a squad capable of not only having a good cup run but show the battle needed to climb away from the relegation trap door. The fans who have witnessed the 2 away games will certainly tell you that this is a new Rangers side worth watching, so even if a cold night, I am sure you will be warmed by the game.

League Cup football appears to elude Rangers with only two triumphs in recent history. 1968 saw us contest the Cheshire League Cup final with Runcorn. We took a 3-2 first leg to Canal Street when a Roy of the Rovers storyline took place. Missing vital players, a rapid team change took place with central defender George Machin taking the goalies jersey. George performed heroics but was beaten just before half time to bring the aggregate scores level. In the second half Bird equalised to bring the cup home to Stafford. Different heroics took place in 1986 when a Bob Mountain wonder goal at Barnet’s old Underhill ground helped us win the Bob Lord Trophy. So, could we be looking for some more heroics should we progress to the final. I stand to be corrected regarding prize money bur we at least receive £250 for being quarter finalists. Other ties are, Buxton v Marske United, Bamber Bridge v Belper Town and Runcorn Linnets v Trafford, so there is a possibility if we win of getting a division 1 side in the semi final to guarantee £500. The final, usually played on a neutral ground will see the winners receive £2k and the losers £1k. Lets keep our fingers crossed for a money-spinning cup run.

Games played on January 29^th this century

2000       Cinderford          H             3-1          Southern League Division 1 West

2011       Blyth Spartans    A             2-3          Conference North

2013       Hednesford         A             0-3          Staffs Senior Cup