Stafford Rangers — Chasetown FC

REPORT

Stafford Rangers missed out on the chance to pick up the Walsall Senior Cup as they were beaten by Chasetown on penalties after the match had ended all square.

A good crowd gathered at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium and they witnessed an entertaining match that saw Rangers twice come from behind, their second equaliser coming with virtually the last kick of the match. In the shoot out, keeper Scott Moloney had the chance to win it but sent his spot kick over the bar.

Chasetown began on the front foot but the best chance in the opening 10 minutes fell to Dan Cockerline who latched on to Ash Fallon’s flick but couldn’t quite get a clear shot on goal allowing Chasetown keeper Curtis Pond time to get back and stop the ball on the line.

Having survived this moment, Chasetown took their chance. Some good play on their right involving Sam Wilding and Kevin Spinelli eventually put George Cater in possession and, from a tight angle, his low centre looped up off Jack Birch, over Moloney and in off the far post.

The two sides exchanged half chances with a shot from Stafford’s Matt Hearsey and a header from Chasetown captain Nathan Cameron not causing much trouble before Rangers took command of the final 20 minutes of the first half.

Rangers break forward against Chasetown

Hearsey missed out on two more chances but was involved as Rangers levelled on 38 minutes. Joe Thompson picked up possession near the half way line and dissected two defenders with a pass to Hearsey. He laid off to Jack Birch who beat his man to find Thompson to slot past Pond.

Joe Thompson equalises just before half time

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 1 Chasetown 1

Rangers were slow to get going after the break and found themselves pegged back in their own half for lengthy periods.

Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton teed himself up a shot which swung well off target and Cater whipped in another ball from the left which lacked sufficient swing.

Another good opportunity for Skeen-Hamilton went high over the bar whale a header for sub Jack Langston – on for Cater – was caught by Moloney.

Moloney makes a save

Rangers responded with a fierce drive from Birch which flew inches over the Chasetown bar but the chances kept coming at the other end with Langston prominent.

Moloney saved well from Langston’s shot but the Scholars retained possession, Luke Yates crossed from the right and Dunne’s header went in via the cross bar and the back of Moloney to restore the Chasetown lead on 78 minutes.

Langston failed to take a hat trick of chances to put the game out of reach and was made to pay when Rangers scored a dramatic equaliser in the sixth and final minute of added time.

Moloney came up for Jimmy O’Neill’s long throw and, for a moment, he looked set to score but, instead, it was Ben O’Hanlon who fired into the back of the Chasetown net.

Ben O’Hanlon equalises at the death

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 2 Chasetown 2

Penalties:

Moloney saved Yates’ kick before Tom Thorley, Pond Nathaniel Kelly and Langston converted for Chasetown. In between, Rangers were successful through Cockerline, Birch, James McQuilkin and Dylan Scott. Moloney then stepped up to win it but sent his kick over. Mitch Clarke scored his penalty meaning that Fallon had to score to keep Rangers in the tie but his effort went the same way as Moloney’s to give Chasetown the win 5-4 on penalties.

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon, 5 Harry Flowers, 6 Callum Wilson (17 Dylan Scott 90+4m), 7 Kaiman Anderson (14 John Atherton 60m), 8 Joe Thompson (16 James McQuilkin 85m), 9 Dan Cockerline, 10 Jack Birch, 11 Matthew Hearsey (12 James O’Neill 79m). Unused Sub 15 Marsel Tola

Chasetown: 1 Curtis Pond, 2 Kieron Dawes, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Nathaniel Kelly, 5 Nathan Cameron, 6 Sam Wilding (14 Mitch Clarke 90+4m), 7 Tom Thorley, 8 George Cater (12 Jack Langston 62m), 9 Kevin Spinelli, 10 Luke Yates, 11 Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton (15 Jordan Evans 85m). Unused Subs 16 Oliver Haywood, 18 Todd Ferrier

Referee: Greg Rollason
Cautions: Moloney (Rangers); Pond, Dawes (Chasetown)

Goals:

Rangers: Thompson 38m, O’Hanlon 90+6m;

Chasetown: Cater 18m, Dunne 78m

Att: 1469

Report by Chris Elsley

Interview: Graham Deakin