18/08/2024
Hanley Town 0-1 Stafford Rangers!
Stafford Rangers progressed to the next round of the FA Cup following a 1-0 victory away at Hanley Town in the Preliminary Round. The starting eleven for Hanley featured at least 6 former Rangers players with some playing for the club not so long ago. There was an early chance for Hanley as ex Port Vale striker Tom Pope won a header at the back which went straight towards Belford which ended with him making a fine save. Hanley made a bright start to the game as Walsh made a run forward beating Stafford’s defenders, as he got his shot off he forced Belford into action again preventing the ball from going into the net. Hanley were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position as Moult got on the end of a header hitting the crossbar but was flagged up for offside. Another free kick was awarded to the hosts on the edge of the box, poor ex*****on meant it went straight into the wall. Hanley were on the front foot as both teams headed into the half time having equal possession and creating chances but could not take them. Stafford were yet to have their first shot on target with ex keeper Adam Whitehouse picking up the ball twice all half. Early into the second half Cooke put a free kick into the box but no Rangers player could get onto the end of it. Hanley made the first substitution of the game in the 55th minute bringing off Luke Walsh and replacing him with Reece Jones. Two minutes later Hanley came close to scoring as Stair had a shot but Belford was there again to make a good save. Stafford Rangers took the lead in the 60th minute after Sean Cooke produced a pin perfect corner into the penalty area with Jimmy O’Neill getting on the end of a header, head and shoulders above the Hanley defender sending the ball into the net. The first substitution for Rangers was made in the 65th minute bringing on new signing Ethan O’Sullivan for Joe Morley, with another being made six minutes later as Luca Whitney came off and was replaced by Lewis Porter. Hanley made their second substitution in the 74th minute as Ollie Heywood came off and ex Rangers striker Tyrone Ofori came on as they searched for an equalizing goal. The home team also looked to keep it tight at the back in the 77th minute to prevent another Stafford goal bringing off right back Josh Green and Sam Turner was going to be coming on. Reece Jones was shown a yellow card in the 81st minute for a foul on a Stafford player. Rangers looked promising going forward in the second half with a lot of running come from new winger Anaebonam and midfielder McGann who was announced as a new signing on the first game of the season. A late substitution was made by Rangers as they look to see out the game with Stanley Anaebonam coming off after playing 85 minutes for us in his first game and he was replaced by Theo Knight.
Rangers did have a poor first half, they sorted that out and were a totally different team in the second half. More purposeful and precise going forward so they will be pleased to come out of this cup tie with a win. Hanley had some good chances to score, with Cam Belford being the only thing stopping them which ultimately stopped them from taking the game. The FA Cup 1QR draw will take place this Monday at 1pm as Rangers name will be in the hat and we look forward to whoever we will be playing.
Our next game is on Tuesday night away at Congleton Town in the league and it is worth noting that we play Hanley Town away again in 9 days time but in the league this time!
UTB ⚫️⚪️
Teams:
Hanley Town- 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Josh Green (15 Sam Turner 77’), 3 Louis Keenan, 4 Marc Grocott, 5 Joel Stair, 6 Jake Moult, 7 Luke Walsh (16 Reece Jones 55’), 8 Jack Degruchy, 9 Tom Pope, 10 Will Igeo, 11 Ollie Heywood (17 Tyrone Ofori 74’) Unused Substitutes- 12 Ben Chapman & 14 Tim Sanders
Stafford Rangers- 1 Cameron Belford, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Sean Lawton, 4 Dylan Barkers, 5 Jimmy O’Neill (60’ Goal), 6 Ben Hockenhull, 7 Stanley Anaebonam (12 Theo Knight 85’), 8 Diego McGann, 9 Luca Whitney (16 Lewis Porter 71’), 10 Sean Cooke, 11 Joe Morley (15 Ethan O’Sullivan 65’) Unused Substitutes- 13 Jack Sandel, 14 Jacob Edwards, 17 Alex Harrison
Attendance-259
Report by Scott Holmes
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