Hednesford Town Reserves 2 Stafford Rangers Reserves 4
Central Conference League Cup Group B
At: Keys Park
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: free teamsheet
Attendance: 100 (headcount)
Duration: first half: 47:56; second half: 49:27
There is always something a bit special about a local derby, even if it is at Reserve team level.
Stafford Rangers secured a deserved victory in this round-robin League Cup tie at Keys Park with Richard Haynes netting a brace. They did most of the early attacking and a shot from Ricardo Wilks hit the post. The impressive Sean Ridgway fired wide and has an effort blocked in front of goal. It was no surprise when Stafford took the lead in the 19th minute. Haynes picked up the ball on the edge of the Hednesford area and scored with a low shot after initially being thwarted by Hednesford keeper Alex Molloy. Defender Ed Booth doubled the lead in the 43rd minute, heading home direct from a free kick. And it got even better in first-half injury time when Wilks broke clear, rounded Molloy and slotted home.
Richie Miller replaced the injured Wilks at the interval and soon forced Molloy to make a save. Hednesford staged a second-half fight back and reduced the deficit in the 55th minute. The Stafford defence failed to deal with a free kick and Dean Oliver stabbed the ball home. Haynes went close before the Pitmen scored again in the 75th minute. Tom Frankin netted with a free header. Hednesford pressed for an equaliser and almost got one. Substitute Craig Edwards sent a dipping 30-yard shot inches over the bar. But Haynes scored his second goal of the game in injury time to ensure Rangers won this entertaining derby. He slotted home from 10 yards out via the left-hand post.
Hednesford Town (sky blue / sky blue / sky blue): 1. Alex Molloy, 2. Greg Dickinson, 3. Matt Dudley, 4. Chad Shepard, 5. Edmar Lima, 6. Carl Ellis, 7. Keenan Meakin Richards, 8. Tom Franklin, 9. Dean Oliver, 10. Shannon North, 11. Reece Styche. Subs: 12. Craig Edwards (for North, 67), 14. Alex Deeming (for Richards, 77), 16gk. Phil Tomsak (for Molloy, 59).
Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. John Haywood, 2. Dan Holgate, 3. Jack Thorley, 4. Sean Ridgway, 5. Jemiah Richards, 6. Ed Booth, 7. Steve Hopkinson, 8. Christian Dacres, 9. Ricardo Wilks, 10. Richard Haynes, 11. Craig Motteram. Subs: 12. John Robinson, 14. André Francis (for Motteram, 77), 15. Richard Miller (for Wilks, ht), 16. Spencer Gunnell, 17. Mike Weston (for Thorley, 63).
Referee: Terry Holbrook.
