Staffordshire Victoria (m vs Castlecroft Rangers F.C
3 - 4
05 October 2019 · Staffs. FA Challenge Cup
Away cup match played on 05 October 2019.
Kicked off at 2:30 PM
3-4
vs Staffordshire Victoria (mens)
Away cup match
Staffordshire Victoria 3-4 Castlecroft Rangers
Castlecroft Rangers escaped paying the penalty as they secured a passage into the Staffordshire County Cup quarter-finals by emerging victorious in a topsy-tervy encounter in Staffordshire.
The Crofters, who are ranked as outsiders for this competition, have now earned a quarter-final clash at home against Staffordshire Victoria's league rivals, Ball Haye Green Reserves, whilst avoided last year's winners and conquerors Rushall Olympic U21's in the process.
Manager, Max Woodhouse, continued with this season’s favoured narrow 4-1-2-1-2 formation which had yielded three successive victories prior to this encounter. The narrow nature of this formation was nearly the Crofters undoing early on as the hosts were enjoying success from wide areas and squandered the games opening chance, forcing Woodhouse into a smart save. The Crofters did respond well and created moments of their own, in particular where Mike Jones fired over. The visitors did take the lead shortly before half time. Luke Salters goal bound effort struck the defenders arm and the ever-reliable penalty king Chris Collins confidently fired into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
The Crofters doubled their lead shortly after the break as a nicely lofted pass from Nick Guise found Blake Ansell who continued his incredible scoring start to the season. The hosts were allowed back into the game from the penalty spot as the striker was felled following a quick break from a Castlecroft corner. The contest was then turned on its head as slack marking from the hosts corner allowed the ball to be turned home from the near post. As the hosts gathered momentum, the Crofters re-took the lead against the run of play as Blake Ansell's endeavour allowed Luke Salter to slot home. The two goal advantage was then restored as Nick Guise, this season’s assist king, played in Blake Ansell to secure his brace. Remarkably, that’s the Crofters captains 10th goal in 5 games this season. However, the drama continued as Mitch Morrall took out the hosts striker in the penalty box; the penalty was converted again. Blake Ansell looked to have then secured his hat trick but was denied by the post. The Crofters weathered the late onslaught to book their place in the Staffordshire County Cup quarter finals.