Stafford Rangers 4 Lancaster City 2

Saturday 17th December 2005
Stafford Rangers 4 Lancaster City 2
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: ???
Attendance: 646
Weather: cold, sunny
Duration: first-half: 46:14; second-half: 47:53

Conference North leaders Stafford Rangers took a break from league action and survived a second-half fight back from managerless Lancaster City as they booked their place in Monday’s FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round draw. Veteran striker Neil Grayson led the way with a brace of goals just before half-time with Nathan Smith and Dave Walker also finding the net for Stafford.

Stafford got the game underway attacking the Town End in the first half and defending into the low sun.

Lancaster made an attacking start to the game. Tom Pope sent a glancing header wide before providing the pass that led to his side taking the lead in the 7th minutes. Alex Taylor drilled a low shot wide into the bottom right corner of the net from 10 yards out.

The visitors continued to impress and Taylor forced Stafford goalkeeper Dean Williams to tip over a close-range header.

However, Stafford got back on level terms in the 18th minute and proceeded to dominate the remainder of the first half. Nathan Talbott started a move when Nathan Smith finished with a low angled shot across goal from the left out of reach of the diving Tony McMillan.

Both of Rangers central defenders could have put their side in front. Craig McAughtrie sent a dipping free kick just over the bar from fully 30 yards out. Skipper Wayne Daniel bust through the City defence with a one-two with Robin Gibson but was unable to get in a clear shot. Kevin Street also fired inches over.

Stafford eventually turned their pressure into a goal in the 41st minute. Neil Grayson was brought down by Neil Uberschar just inside the area and the veteran striker got up to blast home the resulting penalty.

Rangers struck again three minutes later. Smith crossed accurately from the left and Grayson powered a header into the roof of the net to score his 10th goal of the season.

With nothing to lose, Lancaster came out fighting in the second half and reduced the deficit in the 65th minute. Williams was knocked to the ground punching a free kick inside a crowded area and Stuart Howson headed into an unguarded net.

Buoyed by the goal, Lancaster threw an extra striker, Dave Shaw, and pressed for an incredible equaliser, which had appeared highly unlikely at the interval. Steve Skinner fired across the face of the Stafford goal and also glanced a header wide. Andy Bond and Taylor both drove over the bar.

However, the visitors were always vulnerable on the break and so it proved on 80 minutes. Substitute Danny Edwards stayed onside to latch onto a long ball from Levi Reid and slipped it past McMillan. The shot was going wide and Dave Walker slid in to force the ball over the line.

It should have been game over but plucky Lancaster didn’t give up the fight. Williams got down to keep out a shot low from Taylor then dramatically saved an 87th-minute penalty from Bond, awarded for a foul on Shaw by Street inside the area

Stafford manager Phil Robinson was delighted with the victory. He said: “I took us ten minutes to get going but in the final half hour of the first half I thought we were excellent and managed to get on top of them. Deservedly we came in 3-1 up”.

Robinson was full of praise for striker Neil Grayson and added: “Brilliant performance again [by Neil] and his energy levels are fantastic. He led by example for the whole of the game.”

Neil Grayson was selected as the Non-League Paper’s Star Man while Nathan Smith was named Man of the Match.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Paul Groves, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Craig Lovatt, 7. Levi Reid, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Neil Grayson, 10. Nathan Smith, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Liam Murray (not used), 14. Danny Edwards (for Gibson, 69), 15. Dave Walker (for Smith, 69), 16. Lee Downes (for Reid, 83), 17. Phil Robinson (not used). Player/manager: Phil Robinson.

Lancaster City (sky blue / sky blue / sky blue): 1. Tony McMillan, 2. Mike Eckersley, 3. Andy Scott (capt), 4. Steve Skinner, 5. Joe McMahon, 6. Stuart Howson, 7. Andy Bond, 8. Neil Uberschar (Shaw, 66), 9. Alex Taylor, 10. Tom Pope, 11. Ryan Elderton. Subs: 12. Dave Shaw, 14. Lee Foxcroft (not used), 15. Martin Holliday (not used), 16. Scott Greenwood (not used).

Referee: N. Smith (Chesterfield).
Assistants: J. M. Hayes (Stockport) and S. Durban (Cheadle).
Fourth Official: R. J. Tinsley (Bolsover).

Goals:
0-1 Alex Taylor (7)
1-1 Nathan Smith (18)
2-1 Neil Grayson (41 pen)
3-1 Neil Grayson (43)
3-2 Stuart Howson (65)
4-2 Dave Walker (81)

Cards:
Stafford: Kevin Street (YC, 77)
Lancaster: Mike Eckersley (YC, 59)