Details
Date | Time | Competition | Season | Day | Att |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
07/09/2024 | 3:00 pm | Isuzu FA Trophy | 2024/2025 | Sat | 187 |
REPORT
After the penalty shoot out drama at Long Eaton which confirmed that Stafford Rangers would be travelling to Walsall Wood, the Boro were unable to extend their participation in this season’s FA Trophy competition beyond the 1st Qualifying Round as they were beaten by NPL Midland Division side Walsall Wood.
Rangers made one change to the line-up from Wednesday night’s game with James McQuilkin coming into the starting line up in place of the injured Sean Cooke.
The first 15 minutes was open and with play switching from end to end but with neither side testing the opposition goalkeeper.
Walsall then opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when a long throw wasn’t cleared. The ball fell to Ashley Carter at the back post and he volleyed past Cam Belford. Just three minutes later, Walsall extended their lead through Nick Clayton-Phillips who smashed it past Belford after the Stafford keeper had saved from Kaiman Anderson and a subsequent follow up effort was kept out by Jimmy O’Neill.
Wood were completely dominant in the last ten minutes as Jamie Lee Soule broke through on goal only to be denied by Belford.
It took Rangers to the final minute of the first half before they managed their first shot on target with Joe Robbins’ effort from 30 yards out being tipped over the bar by Andy Wycherley.
Stafford started the second half the better of the two teams and tested Wycherley in the 60th minute when a Sean Lawton cross was met by Dan Cockerline but his header was straight at the home keeper.
In the 63rd minute Wycherley was called into action following a goalmouth scramble, but the keeper grabbed hold of the ball. It was now all Rangers and they won corner after corner without result.
AJ Leitch Smith, making his first appearance of the season as a sub in place of Dylan Barkers, had a shot in the 82nd minute but saw his effort saved by Wycherley who tipped it around the post.
Rangers were still trying to get their goal and Luca Whitney had a great chance following a cross from Joe Morley but his header went over the bar.
In the 7th minute of stoppage time, Rangers finally got on the scoresheet. Wycherley tipped a shot from Diego McGann around the post and, from the resultant corner, Whitney’s header looped inside the far post but it was too late for Rangers to salvage anything from the tie.
In addition to the disappointment of exit from the cup, Rangers saw their injury list grow with O’Neill, Barkers and Cockerline all making early exits from the game although only O’Neill’s appears to be one that will keep him out of the side.
Walsall Wood: 1 Andy Wycherley, 2 Jack Fletcher, 3 Jack Kelly, 4 Jack Burgess, 5 Kyle Rowley, 6 Ashley Carter, 7 Sam Unitt (18 Josh Green 89m), 8 Jack Concannon (12 Carter Lycett 84m), 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Nick Clayton Phillips (15 Charlie Manners 90+2m), 11 Jamie Lee Soule (17 Matt Funge 70m). Unused Sub 14 Jack Hallahan
Stafford Rangers: 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Jacob Edwards, 3 Sean Lawton, 4 Dylan Barkers (17 AJ Leitch-Smith 77m), 5 Andy Burns, 6 James O’Neill (15 Diego McGann 32m), 7 Joe Mwasile (12 Joe Morley 61m), 8 Joe Robbins, 9 Dan Cockerline (16 Luca Whitney 76m), 10 James McQuilkin, 11 Stanley Anaebonam (14 Theo Knight 90m).
Cautions: Lawton, Leitch-Smith (Rangers)
Referee: Richard Morris
Attendance: 187
Report by Mark Bennett
Video
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Past Meetings
Date | Home | Results | Away | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stafford Rangers | 2 - 2 | Walsall Wood |