Scarborough Athletic Preview – Phil Bennett

Jan 23, 2020 | Club News

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

Joe Cuff Returns

Jan 22, 2020 | Club News

We can confirm that Joe Cuff has returned to the club. Joe left us for a period at hometown club Whitchurch Alport last Summer, but now returns to give us further attacking options. Joe has been cleared and is available for weekend selection for our home game against Scarborough.

Brocton Preview – Phil Bennett

Jan 20, 2020 | Club News

 

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

 

Squad Update – Pre Warrington Match

Jan 18, 2020 | Club News

An Update from Management, before our home game with Warrington Town.

We can confirm that the signing of forward, Jazz Luckie, has been cleared. We welcome Jazz back, who was most recently with Alvechurch. We await clearance on one more signing while Management are in negotiations to bring a further two players in, in the next week

Lewis King’s groin injury is unlikely to have cleared in time for today’s game. Tom Thorley is now in training and kicking a ball, so his situation will be closely monitored and we all hope to see him back as soon as he is ready. Robert Thompson Brown’s injury returned and he is out for the foreseeable future. Luke Jones is still also being assessed on his long term injury. Thanks for your continued support and we fight on to turn things round.

Warrington Preview – 18 Jan 2020

Jan 15, 2020 | Club News

Warrington preview

This game is predicted to go down to the wire. Pun intended as the nickname of Warrington is the Wires. For a change we do not have a six-pointer fixture, so perhaps coupled with our Walsall Senior Cup victory on Tuesday, we can tackle this game with no pressure. That is because Warrington currently lie 5th (in the playoff group) so on paper it should be a banker away win. However, at the start of November, in similar positions we were leading 1-0, but came away with a 2-1 defeat as Warrington scored two late goals to secure the points. Just goes to show how tight this league is. In fact, Warrington’s 1-0 win at home to Radcliffe last Saturday was their first won since the end of November. If we can replicate our own performance over Radcliffe, then who knows what could happen.

Warrington’s away record in the league this season, shows then to be a hard team to beat. They have won 4 games on their travels at Atherton, Matlock, Nantwich and Whitby. They have only lost one game on the road, that being a 4-0 defeat at Morpeth. To show their away strength, they have drawn 5 games. While holding, top clubs such as South Shields, Scarborough and Radcliffe, they have also drawn at Bamber Bridge and Gainsborough which could give us confidence of grinding out a draw.

Over the years Warrington had slowly climbed the pyramid and it was not until season 2016/17 that the two teams met in a league fixture. Our first home meeting saw a 2-2 draw, with the following season seeing out a goal less draw. Guess what, last seasons encounter was a 1-1 draw. If we can keep that sequence going, then most will see a point as a start to a run to safety. At least with our position I doubt the game will be abandoned due to fog, as per the infamous game at Warrington in season 16/17.

The management team were keen to stress that everyone is working together, and that includes the fans to help bring about a positive result. So please venture down to Marston Road and support the team.

Games played on January 18th this century
2000 Rocester H 2-1 Dr Martens West league
2011 Harrogate A 2-3 Conference North
2014 Droylsden H 3-1 Northern Premier League