Sporting Khalsa — Stafford Rangers

REPORT

STAFFORDSHIRE SENIOR CUP 1st Round

The Staffs Senior Cup brought a welcome break from Stafford Rangers struggles in the Northern Premier League as they defeated Sporting Khalsa in this 1st Round tie.

Rangers‘ manager Neil Kitching had promised changes in personnel after a series of heavy defeats but both sides showed significant changes to the respective starting XIs. Only Andy Burns and Jack Birch retaining their places in the Stafford side from when the two sides had met in the league 10 days earlier.

But, it threatened to be a familiar story for the travelling Stafford fans as they saw Khalsa go ahead as early as the 7th minute. A foul by debutant Danas Kulikauskas presented the home side with a free kick and dead ball specialist Sam Fitzgerald beat Zach Noble from around 25 yards.

Rangers needed a quick reply and got what they wanted. Just a minute later, a strong run by Che Ranger helped Dan Cockerline set up Birch and he levelled with a powerful shot that gave R’avan Constable no chance.

Largely, it was Khalsa who had the better of the play in the opening stages. James McQuilkin got in the way to block a shot from Dan Broni-Philips then Gaz Singh jinked his way past a couple of Stafford defenders only to be denied by Noble.

Stafford withstood the pressure and play evened out, allowing Cockerline to get in a shot on the Khalsa goal.

The home side came on strong in the closing stages of the half. Another free kick gave Fitzgerald a chance to go for goal but this time Noble was able to keep out his shot. A scramble ensued with the referee not giving a foul in Stafford’s favour and moments later, he declined penalty appeals from Khalsa for a possible handball.

Soon after, Luke Shearer fired over when well placed.

The second half saw Rangers looking a more competitive side and Ranger was denied when his goalbound shot was headed off the line by Broni-Philips. Cockerline fired over from a Kaiman Anderson cross although there were strong claims that his shot had come off a Khalsa defender.

Fitzgerald remained Khalsa’s main threat and he went close with a well struck drive from around 30 yards that flew just over the bar before a slip by Mason Rees let in Shearer but Noble stood his ground well to keep the scores level.

It was Rangers who grabbed the lead on 81 minutes when McQuilkin found Joe Thomas in space on the right. His cross was fired in by Cockerline at the second attempt.

Thomas gave Rangers some breathing space when extended the lead on 85 minutes. This time the roles were exchanged with Cockerline the provider as he squared for the unmarked Thomas.

Cockerline added the icing on cake, five minutes into added time. Thomas was again the provider from the right.

Rangers will now host Lichfield City in the 2nd Round.

Sporting Khalsa 1: R’avan Constable,  2 Rio Sawyers, 3 Mikkel Hirst (14 Ahrian Chaddah 82m), 4 Zach Korouiyanni, 5 Dom Perkins, 6 Daniel Broni-Phillips, 7 Luke Shearer (16 Oliver Waddison 77m), 8 Sam Fitzgerald, 9 Jayden Hunter, 10 Gaz Singh, 11 Stan Asomugha (12 Chay Tilt 79m). Unused Subs, 13 Adam Marusiak, 15 Kristian Green

Stafford Rangers: 1 Zach Noble, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon (14 Joe Thomas 67m), 4 Danas Kulikauskas (16 Mason Rees 46m), 5 Jadel Musanhu, 6 Jack Birch (12 Ashley Fallon 74m), 7 Che Ranger, 8 James McQuilkin, 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi (17 Kaiman Anderson 57m), 11 Jack Sherratt (15 Max Barlow 84m).

Goals: KHALSA: Fitzgerald 7m; RANGERS Birch 8m, Cockerline (2) 81m, 90+5m, Thomas 85m

Referee: Jamie Howe

Cautions: Fitzgerald 77m (Sporting Khalsa), Cockerline 27m, McQuilkin 54m (Stafford)

Att: 175

Report by Chris Elsley