Stafford Rangers — Wolverhampton Casuals

REPORT

The visitors caught Rangers cold to take the lead inside 3 minutes. The experienced forward Jon Letford was on the end of a long ball which he cleverly controlled then took around Scott Moloney before slotting home.

But Rangers responded and deservedly got back on level terms before half time through Jack Birch’s free kick before John Atherton got the winner shortly after the interval.

Devarn Green made his debut but injuries and unavailability forced Graham Deakin’s team selection. The new signing showed some impressive touches and pace from the start.

Making his first start was Max Chimenes who had a couple of early chances to level but was kept out by a clearance from Phil McKerdy and a well timed tackle from Reinaldo Forbes.

Callum Wilson also had a half chance but saw his back post header turned over by keeper Kieran Harrison.

Former Stafford man Joe Cuff gave Luke Edwards a tough test in the opening quarter but his threat diminished when he switched to the Casuals’ left side.

At the other end, it was Edwards who almost levelled with a well struck free kick from the right hand side of the area that beat Harrison but came back off the cross bar. A couple of minutes later, the Shrewsbury loanee saw another effort deflect off Zac Jackson and loop over the bar.

Rangers were eventually rewarded for their threat when Birch deceived Harrison with a 20 yard free kick after Cuff had fouled Wilson.

The first half ended somewhat controversially as Chimenes and Jackson tussled for the ball near the half way line. As both players fell to ground, Jackson appeared to catch the Stafford man with his foot, an act that referee Kieran Rogers deemed deliberate and sent the Wolves man off.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 1 Wolverhampton Casuals 1

Birch sent another free kick wide of the target in the early minutes of the second half before Rangers went ahead on 50 minutes.

Leon Hughes robbed Nathan Scott in the middle of the pitch and sent Edwards away on the left. He outpaced McKerdy to get in a low centre which was missed by Chimenes but picked up by Atherton who did not waste the opportunity.

Atherton wasn’t so clinical a few minutes later when he got clear of the visiting defence as Harrison saved with his feet. Soon after, he fired high over.

For Casuals, Cuff shot wide from distance and while Letford did well to beat Andy Burns in the air, his shot on the turn was also off target.

Rangers continued to look the most likely to add to the score as Harrison kept out a close range header and a shot from Kaiman Anderson.

The tiring visitors posed little threat at the other end and Rangers advanced to a home tie against either Hanley Town or Eccleshall.

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 2 Wolverhampton Casuals 1

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Luke Edwards, 4 Leon Hughes (14 James McQuilkin 60m), 5 James O’Neill, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 John Atherton (12 Kaiman Anderson 68m), 8 Marsel Tola, 9 Max Chimenes (15 Max Barlow 86m), 10 Jack Birch, 11 Devarn Green (16 Jadel Musanhu 90m). Unused Sub 13 Zach Noble

Wolverhampton Casuals: 1 Kieran Harrison. 2 Phil McKerdy, 3 Zak Poskitt (15 Siddarth Bopadra 89m), 4 Mason Cooper, 5 Zac Jackson, 6 Reinaldo Forbes (16 Matt Dudley 45+3m), 7 Nathan Scott (12 Charlie Swingwood 55m), 8 Andy Haynes (14 Jack Grimshaw 55m), 9 Jon Letford, 10 Joe Cuff, 11 Jason Novakou (17 Lee Chilton 63m).

Goals:
Stafford: Birch 36m, Atherton 50m
Wolverhampton: Letford 3m

Referee: Kieran Rogers
Cautions: Tola 90+2m (Rangers), Poskitt 25m (Wolverhampton)
Sent Off: Jackson 45+2m (Wolverhampton)

Att: 385

Report by Chris Elsley