Saturday 21st August 1999
Stafford Rangers 2 Glossop North End 0
FA Cup (Sponsored by AXA) Preliminary Round
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £1
Attendance: 493
Weather: warm and sunny
This was my first match since Saturday 10th April!
Stafford Rangers overcame the first hurdle in this season's FA Cup competition, defeating their North-West Counties League opponents with a goal in each half. There were, however, provided with a good test and the result was in doubt until Richard Swain beat the offside trap two minutes from time to score the decisive second goal.
Honours were even for the first ten minutes with neither keeper unduly troubled. Then Tony Eccleston headed a Smith cross just over and Richard Mitchell caused panic in the visitors defence as he chased a flick from Eccleston. Glossop's Simon Heaton forced Mal Rigby to turn a shot behind before Rangers began to put together a more cohesive patten of play, albeit in patches. On the half hour visiting keeper Merrick dropped a high hanging cross and was relieved to see it booted away at two Rangers attackers closed in. Referee Ashcroft seemed to stamp his authority on the game and by 32 minutes had five names in his book. Soon after Ronnie Walker hit the post with powerful header, Rangers mounting preessure paid off as they took the lead in the 40th minute. A throw-in on the right by Boughey found Smith who slipped past two defenders and crossed high towards the penalty spot. Eccleston outjumped everyone and headed the ball onto Shaw who beat Merrick from eight yards with a header.
After the break, the visitors staged a spirited fightback in search of an equaliser requiring Rigby to save on several occasions. He made one outstanding save on the hour getting down to the foot of his right hand post to keep out a blistering 20-yard volley from Steve Heaton. Rigby also was at full stretch to palm away a goalbound drive from Blow. Rangers, who had restricted a combative Glossop side to shots from outside the area, came back strongly in the final quarter and made the tie safe in the 89th minute with a second goal. With Glossop still pushing forward, Richard Swain ran onto a ball over the top from Stephen Jones, took it forward into the area and placed it past Merrick.
Stafford Rangers: 1. Malcolm Rigby, 2. Darren Boughey, 3. Steve Jones, 4. Carl Beeston, 5. David Read, 6. Ronnie Walker, 7. Jason Smith, 8. Delwyn Humphreys, 9. Tony Eccleston, 10. Richard Mitchell, 11. Darren Shaw. Subs: 12. Richard Swain (for Mitchell, 75), 14. Andrew Bradley (for Shaw, 75), 15. Daniel Jones (not used), 16. Archie King (not used), GK. Keith Bloxham (not used).
Glossop North End: 1. Andy Merrick, 2. Richard Dillon, 3. Cliff Power, 4. David Blow, 5. Chris Ringland, 6. Andy Levendis, 7. Steve Higgs, 8. Steve Smith, 9. Darren Hamilton, 10. Simon Heaton, 11. Steven Heaton. Subs: 12. Brian Arrowsmith (for Steven Heaton, 84), 14. Danny Wild (for Power, 75), 15. Trevor Smallwood (for Smith, ht), 16. Mick Boyle (not used), 17. Peter Sivori (not used).
Referee: C. J. Ashcroft (Elton, Chester).
Goals:
1-0 Darren Shaw (40)
2-0 Richard Swain (89)
