Emirates FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
Saturday 30 September 2017
Old rivals Stafford Rangers and Telford United could not be separated in this tight local derby.
Stafford got off to a perfect start when Richard Batchelor headed in Jack Sherratt’s free kick on 9 mins. Neither side threatened too much in the following 20 mins but then Telford’s Marcus Dinanga got on the end of Jordan Gough’s cross only to put his volley across the face of goal.
Gough had a couple of chances himself but was kept out, first by Mat Bailey then Adam Whitehouse. In between, Keiren Westwood’s excellent challenge halted Dinanga’s advance as Stafford took their lead into the interval. Telford had the better of the exchanges at the start of the second half though it was Stafford who were first to threaten when Richard Gregory’s shot deflected into the side netting.
Gough then missed out at the other end before a slip from Kieren Westwood let in Anthony Dwyer but the former Stafford player went wide going for glory with better options at his disposal. On 70 mins, an off the ball clash with Gregory resulted in Telford defender Aaron Hayden being dismissed after referee Thomas Parsons had consulted his assistant. Gregory was cautioned for his part.
But the Shropshire side fought back to level when John Marsden fired home on 84 mins following Dinanga’s cut back from the by-line. Stafford had two great chances to win it in added time through Louis Briscoe and Sherratt but both fired over.
Stafford: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Sam Griffiths, 3 Kieren Westwood, 4 Jordaan Brown, 5 Mat Bailey, 6 Levi Reid, 7 Osebi Abadaki (14 Izak Reid 64m), 8 Jack Sherratt, 9 Dan Westwood (12 Kai Davis 77m), 10 Richard Gregory (15 Louis Briscoe 86m), 11 Richard Batchelor. Unused subs: 13 Brad Caswell, 16 Joe Thomas, 17 Kieran Morris
Telford: 1 Jasbir Singh, 2 Ross White, 3 Jordan Gough, 4 Aaron Hayden, 5 Shane Sutton, 6 Jon Royle, 7 Jordan Lussey (15 Elliot Newby 46m), 8 Henry Cowans, 9 Marcus Dinanga, 10 John Marsden, 11 Anthony Dwyer (16 Matthew Barnes-Homer 86m). Unused subs: 12 Louis McGrory, 13 Sheridan Martinez, 14 Jordan Murphy, 17 Will Marsh, 18 Reece Taylor.
Cautions: Griffiths, Gregory (Rangers)
Sent off: Hayden (Telford)
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Att: 1,137
Chris Elsley
