Sporting Khalsa v Stafford Rangers

REPORT

Stafford Rangers shared a 2-2 draw in a hard fought local derby at Willenhall based Sporting Khalsa, but, although the point was satisfactory, once again, it was a game that Rangers should have come away with all three.

Rangers were missing Ash Fallon due to suspension which allowed a recall for Tomasi Wara. One other change to the line up saw Logan Cousins make his first start and John Atherton drop to the bench.

Kick off was set for 3.03pm as part of a nationwide push for three clubs to be promoted from the National League into the Football League. As it was, kick off was delayed even further due to repairs needed to one of the goals. Andy Burns and Scott Wara doing the necessary.

Rangers began well and Scott Wara had a decent opportunity from a Jack Birch free kick but his header had no power and was an easy take for R’avan Constable.

Khalsa were lively in attack and their first serious move resulted in a penalty when Scott Wara brought down Andre Landell. Former Rangers man Sam Fitzgerald gave the home side a 10th minute lead from the spot.

Buoyed by their early lead, Khalsa threatened to push on. Chay Tilt forced a save from Arron Davies and Daniel Broni-Phillips fired wide from around 25 yards out.

But it was Rangers who found the net with a 19th minute equaliser when Callum King-Harmes’ half volley converted Jimmy O’Neill’s throw.

The Stafford goalscorer could have added to his tally when he was sent away by Joe Thomas but his shot struck the outside of Constable’s left hand post.

Thomas himself fired at the Khalsa keeper from 30 yards out while Scott Wara probably should have done better with a header from Birch’s corner.

One other incident of note in the first half saw Constable penalised for holding the ball for longer than the permitted 8 seconds although Rangers were unable to take advantage from the resulting corner.

Wara and Thomas were both denied again early in the second half before Khalsa enjoyed their best spell of the game.

Davies saved from Landell before the one time Hednesford man had a shot blocked by Andy Burns.

It was from the corner that followed that Khalsa restored their lead on 61 mins, Tilt’s shot taking a couple of deflection on its way in.

Atherton and new signing Dylan Scott entered the action and the last 20 minutes belonged to Rangers as they pressed for an equaliser.

Anderson saw his shot glance the post then Bitch fired over the unguarded goal after Constable had failed to gather.

Subs Atherton and Scott were both involved as Rangers drew level for the second time with 11 minutes remaining.

Scott flicked on Burns’ long ball and Atherton remained composed as he played the ball over Constable then headed over the last Khalsa defender to record his first goal of the season.

Moments later, Constable made a good save to push away an Atherton volley while Scott saw his effort saved at the near post.

Probably the best chance of a winner fell to Anderson in stoppage time but he was unable to get any power in his header.

Referee Simon Gudger put himself under the spotlight as he struggled to maintain control, notably when he erroneously gave a yellow card to Tilt following a foul on Scott Wara before having to correct his decision and caution the real culprit, Landell.

Sporting Khalsa: 1 R’avan Constable, 2 Kristian Green, 3 Mikkel Hirst, 4 Narel Phillips, 5 Dom Perkins, 6 Daniel Broni-Phillips (17 Jayden Bailey-Hunter 86m) , 7 Chay Tilt, 8 Kartell Dawkins, 9 Andre Landell, 10 Sam Fitzgerald (14 Stan Asomugha 77m), 11 Kieron Whittaker. Unused Subs 12 Harvey Watts, 15 Gurjit Singh, 16 Rio Sawyers

Stafford Rangers: 1 Arron Davies, 2 Callum Wilson, 3 Andy Burns, 4 Tomasi Wara (16 Dylan Scott 70m), 5 Scott Wara, 6 Jimmy O’Neill, 7 Callum King-Harmes, 8 Jack Birch, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Joe Thomas, 11 Logan Cousins (12 John Atherton 70m). Unused Subs 13 Zach Noble, 14 Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi, 15 James McQuilkin,

Goals: Sporting Khalsa: Fitzgerald 10m pen, Tilt 62m; Stafford: King-Harmes 19m, Atherton 79m

Referee: Simon Gudger

Cautions: Perkins, Landell, Fitzgerald (Khalsa); Wilson, Neil Kitching, Ian Cooper (Rzngers)

Att: 425

Report by Chris Elsley