Stafford Rangers don’t do League Cups, so why go to Tuesday’s game. Well, since the managerial change the Rangers are now producing some good football, which has seen a 5-0 away win and a very good draw away to 6th placed Gainsborough.
So, do we fear 3rd placed Farsely? We now get the chance to get revenge on our 3-1 home league defeat in October and assess if we have a squad capable of not only having a good cup run but show the battle needed to climb away from the relegation trap door. The fans who have witnessed the 2 away games will certainly tell you that this is a new Rangers side worth watching, so even if a cold night, I am sure you will be warmed by the game.
League Cup football appears to elude Rangers with only two triumphs in recent history. 1968 saw us contest the Cheshire League Cup final with Runcorn. We took a 3-2 first leg to Canal Street when a Roy of the Rovers storyline took place. Missing vital players, a rapid team change took place with central defender George Machin taking the goalies jersey. George performed heroics but was beaten just before half time to bring the aggregate scores level. In the second half Bird equalised to bring the cup home to Stafford. Different heroics took place in 1986 when a Bob Mountain wonder goal at Barnet’s old Underhill ground helped us win the Bob Lord Trophy. So, could we be looking for some more heroics should we progress to the final. I stand to be corrected regarding prize money bur we at least receive £250 for being quarter finalists. Other ties are, Buxton v Marske United, Bamber Bridge v Belper Town and Runcorn Linnets v Trafford, so there is a possibility if we win of getting a division 1 side in the semi final to guarantee £500. The final, usually played on a neutral ground will see the winners receive £2k and the losers £1k. Lets keep our fingers crossed for a money-spinning cup run.
Games played on January 29th this century
2000 Cinderford H 3-1 Southern League Division 1 West
2011 Blyth Spartans A 2-3 Conference North
2013 Hednesford A 0-3 Staffs Senior Cup
