This Tuesday we embark on our Integro League Cup campaign, when we entertain Market Drayton from the NPL Division 1 West. If you remember we had a decent run in this competition last season but were lucky in getting a few home ties. League cup ties do not fill the fans with optimism and many stay away expecting weakened team and no real incentive to win the competition, to the extent that admission is often reduced.
However, there is a need to get down to Marston Road to watch this fixture as there may well be the surprise element in team selection. Does Steve Burr look at this competition to blood some of the promising youth players we saw in pre-season, or does he keep with a strong eleven to rebuild confidence following Saturdays defeat at Buxton. Either way I am sure Steve will be thinking of Saturdays trip to Kings Lynn in the FA Cup as he makes his selection.
Market Drayton are no strangers to Stafford Rangers, but we have only come across them in recent years of our history. Market Drayton started out as Little Drayton in 1969 and changed their name to Market Drayton in 2003. We have already met them this season when we went to their ground for our final pre-season game, drawing 1-1 with a late equaliser from Lucas Burnett. Their form this season appears to be complete opposites as they have won both of their home league games with wins over Newcastle Town (2-1) and Droylsden (3-1), but on their travels they have lost all three games, at Ramsbottom (2-1), Widnes (3-0) and Prescott cables (3-0). Market Drayton fell at the first hurdle in the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home in a replay with Midland League Haughmond after a 1-1 away draw.
So, if you want to be the first to see the side we put out, then you better get down to Marston Road on Tuesday night for the 7:45 kick off.
Admission Prices: Adults £6.00 | Concessions £3.00 | Juniors £1.00
Report by Phil Bennett
