Tuesday 15th January 2002
Stafford Rangers 4 Rocester 1
Staffordshire Senior Cup Third Round
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: 20p (4 pages)
Attendance: 326
Weather: -
Duration: first half: 47:28; second half: 46:55
After all the rain and snow which had caused the postponement of several recent games, it was good to see some football for the first time in 2002. Saturday’s originally scheduled fixture at Tamworth didn’t take place they were still involved in the FA Trophy
Robert Heath made his debut and Stafford got the game underway attacking the Social Club end in the first half.
The visitors took a shock lead in the 6th minute when Richard Batho crossed from the left and Craig Walklet beat Ward with a glancing header. Rangers soon got going but found it difficult again a side defending in numbers content to hold their lead. Tony Eccleston saw a header headed off the line and soon after the hardworking Daryl Wilkes fired straight at visiting keeper Jon Edensor from outside the area. The equaliser came just past the half hour mark when Heaney handled on the edge of the area and Darren Simkin drove the resulting free-kick through the wall into the bottom right corner of the net. Chris Brindley had a header well held by Edensor then in the 35th minute Paul Kiely latched onto a forward pass by Eccleston and flicked the ball past the keeper.
Stafford’s lead was further extended in the 41st minute. Paul Kiely was on target again firing home with his right foot from the edge of the area. Three minutes later Robert Heath should have marked his debut with a goal but his close range shot hit Edensor and went over the bar for a corner.
Andy Bostock picked up a booking in the 46th minute for a foul.
Stafford’s fourth goal came in the 59th minute when the ball was threaded through a crowded area and Paul Kiely stabbed the ball home at close range to complete a hat-trick. Rocester thought he was offside but the flag stayed down.
The ball ended up in the back of the Rocester net again in stoppage time at the end. Wilkes put Kiely clear who decided to pass to O’Connor who slotted home only to be flagged offside.
Stafford’s Daryl Wilkes was named Man of the Match and Rangers now face a semi final tie against either Pelsall Villa, Tamworth, Stafford Town, Newcastle Town, Hednesford Town and Rushall Olympic.
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Karl Ward, 2. Leigh Everritt, 3. Ian Reed, 4. Paul Harris, 5. Chris Brindley, 6. Darren Simkin (capt), 7. Robert Heath, 8. Craig Lovatt, 9. Tony Eccleston, 10. Paul Kiely, 11. Daryl Wilkes. Subs: 12. Joe O'Connor (for Eccleston, 74), 14. Darren Boughey (for Lovatt, 79), 15. Andrew Brookes (for Everritt, 74), 16. Stuart Ryder (not used).
Rocester (blue/blue/blue): 1. Jon Edensor, 2. Paul Ede, 3. Andy Bostock, 4. Mick Ede, 5. Craig Heaney, 6. Nick Anthony, 7. Harvey Bussell, 8. Rob Myatt, 9. Craig Walklet, 10. Richard Batho, 11. Richard Owen. Subs: 12. Ben Skelton (for Heaney, 68), 14. William Brant (for Bussell, 59), 15. Alex Hook (not sued), 16. Richard Swain (for Batho, 65)
Referee: C. D. Sarginson (Rugeley).
Assistants: L. Jordan and R. West.
Goals:
0-1 Craig Walklet (6)
1-1 Darren Simkin (32)
2-1 Paul Kiely (36)
3-1 Paul Kiely (41)
4-1 Paul Kiely (59)
