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

Walsall Senior Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 23 October 2018

Stafford Rangers suffered an embarrassing exit from the Walsall Senior Cup as they went down 4-0 at Midland Football League side Lye Town. As anticipated, Rangers’ manager Steve Burr made a number of changes to the starting line up but there was still enough experience in the starting line up to have seen the Boro through.

They started well enough, taking the game to the home side, and it looked just a matter of time before the home defence would be breached. A Josh Green free kick on 2 mins was spilled by keeper Charlie Price but the ball bobbled awkwardly in front of Kyle Perry who was unable to take advantage. Soon after, Joe Cuff cut in from the left but Perry and Jack Sherratt got in each other’s way and Sherratt ended up shooting tamely wide.

Rangers had a bit of misfortune when Harry Benns charged down a clearance from Price. The ball ricocheted towards the empty net only to spin viciously away to safety. After surviving a torrid opening 15 minutes, Lye came into the game and created their first opening when Arron Bishop found himself in a good position, but Morgan Bacon saved with his feet.

It then became a steady flow of pressure from the home side. Joe Lawley put a free kick just over then fired wide from the edge of the area after linking with Jason Wood. Josh McKenzie also went wide after Sam Coulson had failed to clear the lines, but the Lye number 9 was on hand to put his side ahead on 39 mins after receiving a pass from Lawley he shot across Bacon and inside the far post.
Rangers had a chance to draw level a minute before the break, but Morgan James’ shot was well saved by Price who just got his fingertips to it to turn the ball away for a corner.

The second half saw Max Dixon replace Perry for his first senior appearance for Rangers but it was Lye who continued to create the majority of the chances and Lewis Worsey should have done better when he headed wide from a corner shortly after the restart.
Luke Paskin headed another corner over the top but, when Green cut out a deep centre from Lewis Probert on 68 mins, the ball fell into the path of Ben Billingham and he clipped the ball over Bacon from around 25 yards out.

Benns and Cuff forced saves from Price but Lye killed the game off with two more goals in quick succession.

On 81 mins, Jack Till was given space following a free kick and rifled home from 20 yards out then, two minutes later, Lawley took advantage of another defensive error to make it 4-0 and complete a miserable night.

Lye Town: 1 Charlie Price, 2 Joe Colley, 3 Lewis Probert, 4 Jack Pearlman, 5 Luke Paskin, 6 Joe Lawley, 7 Arron Bishop (14 Jack Till 81m) , 8 Jason Wood, 9 Josh McKenzie (12 Adam Meacham 85m), 10 Ben Billingham, 11 Lewis Worsey (15 Luke Carter 80m). Unused Subs 16 Leigh Pardoe, 17 Rion Francis-Mills
Rangers: 1 Morgan Bacon, 2 James Askey, 3 Josh Green, 4 Ethan Stanton, 5 Sam Coulson, 6 Dan Burns (16 Lewis Banks 35m), 7 Morgan James (12 Lucas Burnett 64m), 8 Jack Sherratt, 9 Kyle Perry (14 Max Dixon 46m), 10 Harry Benns, 11 Joe Cuff. Unused Sub 17 Adam Whitehouse (Only Four Subs Named.
Cautions: Lawley, Worsey (Lye Town) Askey, Green, Stanton, Cuff (Rangers)
Ref: Brandon Scaife
Att: 100

Report: Chris Elsley

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Saturday 20 October 2018

Stafford Rangers suffered their third successive 3-1 home defeat, but this was a game that they should have got something out of as they did enough to win – except score more goals than their opponents. Rangers fielded new signings Ethan Stanton (from Stoke City) and Daniel Burns (from Nuneaton Borough) while Jake Charles was given his first start.

But, the Boro had an early set back when creative midfielder Louis Briscoe hobbled out of the game in the 8th minute the injury coming when he mis-kicked a pass from Tom Thorley.  The first half was a disappointing affair with neither side showing any real quality as they struggled to ring the all down on a bobbly pitch.

Hyde were marginally the more creative of the two sides. Defender John McCombe was twice involved inside the Stafford area but the visitors were unable to take advantage on either occasion. Then Hyde had penalty appeals turned down when Kyle Brownhill’s centre bounced up onto the hand of the unwitting James Askey after being missed by Connor Simpson.

Stafford’s best chance of the opening 30 mins came via the individual work of Harry Benns who did well to win possession but failed to match his approach play and a tame shot bobbled through to Hyde keeper Peter Crook.

In the best move of the half, former Stafford midfielder Osebi Abadaki – on as a sub for Kyle Harrison – sent in a decent right-wing cross for Tom Pratt to lay off to Janni Lipka but his shot was deflected wide. Two minutes later, Briscoe’s replacement Joe Cuff fired into the side netting from a corner when he had time and space inside the Hyde area.

Stafford were a better side after the break and put Hyde under lengthy periods of pressure. Tom Thorley, Benns and Lewis Banks all chances to open the scoring but were off target. It was approaching the hour mark before Hyde got a look in, but Tom Pratt shot wide from the edge of the area following a free kick on the right.

Rangers continued to look the most threatening and Sam Coulson worked himself some space but saw his shot deflected through to Crook then Stafford had strong penalty appeals turned down when Ethan Stanton went to ground.

James Askey shot straight at Crook after good approach play from Benns and Cuff and Rangers’ failure to take their chances was to prove costly as, against the run of play, Hyde went ahead on 72 mins. Moments earlier, Abadaki saw a good strike deflected onto the post and out for a corner.

From Lipka’s flag kick, Abadaki hit the bar from close range but McCombe was on hand to nod the ball home from under the bar to put Hyde ahead. Rangers could have been level within two minutes as Theo Bailey-Jones forced a save from Crook – another good opportunity not taken – and, once again, Rangers were made to pay as Connor Simpson made it 2-0 on 81 mins clipping the ball past Whitehouse from the edge of the area.

Daniel Burns pulled one back for Rangers on 85 mins when he hooked the ball in from close range after Bailey-Jones had beaten Crook to Charles’ left-wing cross. James Askey then missed a great chance to level for Stafford when he fired straight at Crook but Hyde put the game to bed with a counter attack three minutes into added time. Tom Pratt exchanged passes with Simpson then fired past Adam Whitehouse to make it 3-1.

Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Lewis Banks, 3 James Askey, 4 Ethan Stanton (15 Jack Sherratt 80m), 5 Sam Coulson, 6 Daniel Burns, 7 Theo Bailey-Jones, 8 Tom Thorley, 9 Jake Charles, 10 Harry Benns (16 Kyle Perry 80m), 11 Louis Briscoe (14 Joe Cuff 8m). Unused Subs 12 Josh Green, 17 Morgan Bacon (gk)
Hyde: 1 Peter Crook, 2 Kyle Harrison (12 Osebi Abadaki 29m (15 Matthew Hughes 77m)), 3 Kyle Brownhill, 4 Ross Daly (14 Tom Greaves 49m), 5 John McCombe, 6 Jordan Fagbola, 7 Grant Roberts, 8 Janni Lipka, 9 Connor Simpson, 10 Nicky Platt, 11 Tom Pratt. Unused Subs 13 James Hodges (gk), 16 Chib Chilaka.

Cautions: Burns (SRFC) Pratt (Hyde)
Referee: Simon Barrow

Att: 548

Report: Chris Elsley

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Saturday 13 October 2018

Jake Charles’ second goal in two appearances helped Stafford Rangers to overcome bottom club North Ferriby United and end a four-game losing streak. With both Luke Jones and Tom Thorley out injured, Rangers recalled Josh Green to the starting line-up for the first time in six matches while Harry Benns returned after injury. Louis Briscoe dropped to the bench as Steve Burr gave Elliott Green a debut after signing the former Guiseley central defender on Friday.

The home side had the better of the early exchanges, but it was Rangers who had the ball in the back of the net first. A good move involving Kyle Perry, Joe Cuff and Benns ended with Perry firing past Lewis Exall but a marginal offside call went the way of the home side. The Villagers’ first threat came via a ricochet off Luke Lofts and Adam Whitehouse was forced low to his right to concede the corner.

Rangers went ahead in the 20th minute through captain for the day Sam Coulson whose 20-yarder bounced awkwardly in front of Exall and past the Ferriby keeper – all after the Villagers had failed to clear Theo Bailey-Jones’ free kick. Ferriby missed a couple of half chances to draw level before Luke Hinsley headed home Eddie Birch’s well measured cross on 35 mins. Exall did well to keep his side on equal terms when Benns’ shot took a deflection off James Williamson, while Rangers had a let off on the stroke of half time when James Askey’s scuffed clearance only got as far as Hinsley but this time the Ferriby man could only shoot straight at Whitehouse.

As with the first half, it was Ferriby who started the brighter after the interval, but Jamie Forrester finished poorly after a good turn then Lewis Banks did well to block Hinsley after a slip by Coulson before Whitehouse saved from Birch. Hinsley put another chance wide but, at the other end, Benns went close to restoring Rangers’ lead – the on loan forward forcing Exall in to a good save following Perry’s flick on – then Benns put in a dangerous cross that just eluded Izak Reid.

After Whitehouse saved from Lofts with 13 mins to go, the home side failed to produce anything of much danger to the Rangers’ goal. Instead, it was Rangers who were to find the killer blow with just 8 minutes left on the clock. After Bailey-Jones took a corner on the right, Charles won the initial header and when the ball bounced back off Jack Mail, Charles snapped up the chance at the second time of asking.

North Ferriby United:  1 Lewis Exall, 2 Dan Norton, 3 James Williamson, 4 Jamie Forrester, 5 Jack Mail, 6 James Piercy, 7 Jordan Harrison (17 Kent Bannister 81m), 8 Joe Lamplough (16 Eddie Rogerson 54m), 9 Luke Hinsley, 10 Eddie Birch (14 Alex Bannister 84m), 11 Luke Lofts. Unused Subs: 12 Alex Knox, 15 Charlie Dunkerley

Stafford: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Lewis Banks, 3 James Askey, 4 Josh Green, 5 Sam Coulson, 6 Elliot Green, 7 Theo Bailey-Jones, 8 Jack Sherratt 9 Kyle Perry (14 Izak Reid 70m), 10 Harry Benns (16 Louis Briscoe 80m), 11 Joe Cuff (12 Jake Charles 60m), Unused Subs: 15 Morgan James, 17 Morgan Bacon

Cautions: Askey, Sherratt (Rangers)

Referee:  David Jarvis

Att: 360

Report: Chris Elsley