Sporting Club Inkberrow v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers added another page to their history of embarrassing cup defeats as they exited the FA Trophy in the 2nd Qualifying Round at Sporting Club Inkberrow.

It wasn’t so much losing to the Worcestershire village side that was the concern, as they play their league football at the same level (step 4) as the Boro, but the manner in which Rangers folded after taking an early two goals lead.

Dan Cockerline and Zidan Sutherland appeared to put Rangers on their way to the next round but SC Inkberrow had different ideas and it was they who held the advantage into the break.

With Alex Worley having left the club in midweek, there was a recall to the starting line up for Ben O’Hanlon. Scott Wara was also back but Joe Cuff was an absentee through injury.

Rangers struck as early as the 8th minute when Callum Wilson picked up on a loose ball. After an exchange with Cockerline he sent in a low shot which Gabriel Bajrami could only parry and Cockerline finished with a quick thinking back heal.

Eight minutes later, Rangers won a throw on the right touchline. Jimmy O’Neill sent in one of his trademark launches, Cockerline flicked on over Bajrami and Sutherland made sure from close range.

Wilson almost added a third two minutes later as frailties showed in the home side’s defence but it was similar short comings at the other end that let Inkberrow back into it.

Billy Coughlin pulled one back on 22 mins when Callum Smith failed to cut out Jack Tolley’s corner and the no 5 volleyed in at the back post.

Three minutes later, it was all square. The home side found space in midfield and when Leo Brown beat Andy Burns to the ball, he was able to advance and slot past Smith.

Rangers had chances to get back in front but a free kick from James McQuilkin went high over then Jack Birch’s volley struck Scott Wara and a first time shot from Sutherland was saved by Bajrami.

At the other end, Rangers had a let off when Burns’ back pass beat Smith but bounced away off the post.

Another attack exposed more gaps in the Stafford defence but also brought out the frustrations of the Stafford players as a heated exchange between Burns and McQuilkin demonstrated.

Inkberrow made Stafford pay for their errors two minutes before the break. A throw from Syrus Warren-Paul bounced off a couple of players before falling nicely to Brown who hammered in from close range.

After the break, Jack Sherratt had an early opportunity to level but his drive hit Sutherland and, shortly after, the Stafford striker was just beaten to the ball by Bajrami.

At the other end, Smith parried a shot from Jay Higgins-Pugsley before gathering at the second attempt.

Stafford began to enjoy more possession as the home side sat back but rarely created a serious threat and it was Smith who had to react to turn over a header from Nathan Benson.

The outcome was more or less settled on 85 minutes when Wara attempted to control a long clearance out of the Inkberrow defence. The ball got stuck under his feet and Samson Hewett pounced to race away and make it 4-2.

Jack Birch gave Stafford some hope on 88 minutes when he scored from John Atherton’s cross and although both Wara and Cockerline had late efforts saved by Bajrami it was far too late.

SC Inkberrow: 1 Gabriel Bajrami, 2 Luke Bastable, 3 Syrus Warren-Paul (16 Max Angelides 57m), 4 Gregor Guy, 5 Billy Coughlin, 6 William Moore (15 Nigel Hinkelow 80m), 7 Jack Tolley (14 Samson Hewett 84m), 8 Nathan Benson, 9 Leo Brown, 10 Jay Higgins-Pugsley (17 Jackson Preece 90+1m), 11 Noah Rubio (12 Louis Crook 74m).

Stafford Rangers: 1 Callum Smith, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Jack Sherratt (14 John Atherton 74m), 5 Jimmy O’Neill, 6 Scott Wara, 7 Callum Wilson (15 Ashley Fallon 54m), 8 Jack Birch, 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Zidan Sutherland (12 Kaiman Anderson 79m), 11 James McQuilkin (16 Joe Thomas 74m) Unused sub: 13 Arron Davies

Goals: SC Inkberrow: Coughlin 22, Brown (2) 25, 43, Hewett 85; Stafford: Cockerline 8, Sutherland 16, Birch 88

Referee: Callum Johnson

Cautions: Benson, Brown, Higgins-Pugsley (Inkberrow), Burns, Cockerline (Stafford)

Att: 171

Report by Chris Elsley