Long Eaton United v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers bounced back from a dismal midweek display in the league to advance through to the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy, overcoming a tricky tie at Long Eaton United.

Rangers were missing central defender Ben Hockenhull who has signed for North West Counties League side Bury but brought in Joe Mwasile a pacy midfielder who Rangers have faced during his time at former clubs such as Marine, Warrington Town, Witton Albion and Nantwich. Another change in the starting line up was Jacob Edwards in for Stanley Anaebonam.

Rangers began well with Edwards finding youngster Luca Whitney getting in a shooting position but the angle proved too tight and his shot went wide of the target.

Mwasile was next to get an opportunity but he also missed the target as he sent his effort over the bar.

The home side responded with Connor Pace getting in a shot but Cam Belford was equal to it. Two more good chances came and went as former Stafford man Evan Garnett saw a powerful strike parried away by Belford while Archie White’s header rebounded wide via the back of Oliver Jepson.

After Owen Betts had fired just wide for Long Eaton, Rangers grabbed the opener just 3 minutes into the second half when Jepson’s low centre was deflected into his own goal by Ryan Campbell-Gordon after the initial flick from Mwasile.

But the home side struck back quickly. James Taylor, denied by a last ditch tackle from Jepson moments earlier, levelled just four minutes after Rangers’ opener. A smart turn from the Long Eaton man created the space and he struck a fine shot into the top left corner beyond the reach of Belford.

Both sides spurned chances to grab the lead with Sean Cooke going wide for Stafford and Pace for the home side with a free kick to Belford’s near post which the Stafford keeper turned around for a corner.

A good move involving White, Garnett and Liam Loughlan set up a golden opportunity for Ryan Campbell-Gordon but he somehow managed to find the side netting.

Rangers made the home side pay for their catalogue of missed chances and captain Jimmy O’Neill headed Rangers back in front on 69 minutes when he got in front of his man to convert a left sided free kick from Cooke.

Joe Robbins attempted to extend the lead when he spotted Lewis King off his line but he failed to find the target from near the half way line.

At the other end, Garnett missed two more chances for the home side, firstly shooting wide from the right hand side of the area, then, in added time, he fired straight at Belford.

Rangers now face a trip to Walsall Wood in the next round.

Long Eaton United: 1 Lewis King, 2 Owen Betts (15 Ethan Hulley 90m), 3 Ryan Campbell-Gordon, 4 Danny Gordon, 5 Ryley D’Sena, 6 Jayden Cotterill, 7 Archie White (14 Callum Cocks 76m), 8 Connor Pace, 9 Evan Garnett, 10 Liam Loughlin, 11 James Taylor. Unused Subs 12 Jamie Hanson, 16 Aaron Cole

Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Sean Lawton, 4 Dylan Barkers, 5 Oliver Jepson (12 Diego Esquivel McGann 83m), 6 James O’Neill, 7 Joe Mwasile, 8 Joe Robbins, 9 Luca Whitney (15 Joe Morley 83m), 10 Sean Cooke, 11 Jacob Edwards (17 Stanley Anaebonam 61m). Unused Substitute 14 Theo Knight, 16 Mitch Candlin

Cautions: Loughlan (Long Eaton), Lawton, Barkers, Jepson (Rangers)

Referee: Edgar Brown

Attendance 187

Report by Mark Bennett