Stafford Rangers - Home
Season 8 (H) 2/12/06 FA Cup - 3-0 ~ Hammond, Revell, Robinson
Stafford arrived at Withdean having beaten Maidenhead in r1. They were a similar Conference club to Northwich Vic but were determined not to let in 8 goals on this, 'up for the Cup' occasion. Brighton were having some luck in knock-out competitions to date, so were expected to progress at will. Wilkins was forced to make changes to the regular line-up due to injuries, suspensions and on-loans being cup tied. A half decent crowd of 5700 including vocal away support, turned up expecting a goal feast. Any on-pitch non-league banana skin was to be avoided at all costs. The surface was soft but in good nick. Gully got along with dancing girls in new b&w kit - nice!
Hammond opened the scoring around 20 min with a drive from distance, following a defended corner. It was something of a surprise therefore to go for a cuppa only one-nil ahead. In the second 45 min, Rangers felt more pressure applied by fast direct attacks that saw their choke hold slip. Revell rose to head a cross in and kill 'em off with 25 min left. Robinson smashed a shot under their keeper virtually on full time. Job done - into r3 as expected.
Henderson, Mayo, Hinshelwood, Lynch, Rents, Frutos (John), Fraser (Carpenter), Hammond, Cox, Revell (Gatting), Robinson.
|