Wednesday 27th September 2006
Stafford Rangers Youth 4 Castle Vale Youth 2
FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON First Qualifying Round
At: Marston Road
Attendance: 76
Stafford Rangers Youth team progressed into the E.ON FA Youth Cup second qualifying round with a 4-2 victory over Castle Vale at Marston Road. But after racing into a wind-assisted four-goal lead in the first half, they had to survive a couple of scares when the plucky visitors scored two late goals.
Playing with the wind, Rangers got on top from the kick-off and Vale keeper Paul Charnley pulled off an excellent early save to tip over a dipping shot from Spencer Gunnell. But Charnley couldn’t prevent Gunnell putting Stafford ahead in the 15th minute. He hammered home a deep free kick from Sam Maddox which dropped invitingly at the far post.
It could have been two on the half hour when Craig Hulme broke clear only to see his shot over the advancing Charnley rebound off the bar.
But Stafford put the result beyond doubt with three goals in 153 seconds just before the interval. In the 36th minute, Dave Brazier put away another excellent corner from Maddox with a glancing header to double the lead. Gunnell quickly made it three a minute later with a low shot from the edge of the area that went in via the right-hand post. Brazier also got his second goal in the 39th minute, slotting home a rebound following an initial save from Charnley. Hulme was then unlucky again when he had a shot cleared off the line.
With two substitutions and the aid of the wind, Castle Vale proved tougher opposition in the second half. However, just after the hour mark, Charnley denied Gunnell a hat-trick with another save, this time to keep out a first-time 20-yard shot. The visitors pulled a goal back in the 85th minute. Substitute goalkeeper Adam Heath, on for the injured Matt Sargeant, couldn’t hold a well-struck free kick from Anthony Gavin and Thomas Campbell converted the loose ball. Vale scored a second goal in injury time when Chris Fitzgerald forced the ball home after Rangers failed to clear a corner.
Manager Any Bates said: "I was very pleased with our performance, particularly in the first half. My players did all that was asked of them. They did the Club proud."
Rangers: Matt Sargeant; Jack Thorley, Rob Haynes, Michael Hathaway, Michael Weston; Ollie House, Charlie Wooollatt, Sam Maddox, Dave Brazier; Craig Hulme, Spencer Gunnell. Subs: Adam Heath (for Sergeant, 71), Matthew Marsh (for House, 51), Matthew Bates, Ashley Turton (for Hulme, 82), Alex Thurston.
