20/09/2025
We bow out of the FA Trophy in the Second Qualifying round, losing 4-3 away at Sporting Club Inkberrow, of the Southern Division One South, meaning we have now been eliminated in both National cup competitions.
The game started brightly for us, racing into a two goal lead inside 16 minutes through Dan Cockerline, first tapping in following Callum Wilson’s shot being spilled by the keeper, before a flicked header from a Jimmy O’Neill long throw found its way over the line, despite claims from Zidan Sutherland that he’d got the last touch.
The hosts started to grow into the game and sent some dangerous crosses into the box, and we didn’t heed to the warning when a Jack Tolley corner was smashed home from close range at the back post by Billy Coughlin. Soon after, it was all square again, when Noah Rubio was allowed too much space to slip in Leo Brown, who drilled a left footed shot across Callum Smith and into the bottom corner.
With half time approaching, there was still time for a fifth goal to break the deadlock, and it was Brown again who scored, as he smashed home from close range after Stafford failed to clear a Syrus Warren-Paul throw in.
The second half started with Inkberrow having a couple of opportunities,Smith in the away goal called into action twice to keep us in it, including a fantastic one handed save to palm over a backpost header that looked destined for the net.
Rangers slowly started to pin the home side back, but as pressure was beginning to build, Scott Wara slipped on the ball in his own half to allow substitute Samson Hewett through on goal, and he tucked the ball past Smith to all but end the tie with a clinical finish.
There was still time for Rangers to strike again, however Jack Birch’s tidy finish following a John Atherton pull back was nothing more than a consolation in the end, as we couldn’t find the final touch inside the box on a couple of occasions to rescue the tie, and we lost out in a seven-goal thriller with Sporting Club Inkberrow advance to the next stage of the trophy.
Thanks to all our listeners today, over 100 again, and of course to our sponsor Harlequin Teamwear.
Thanks to our partners FG Man Gentleman's Barbershop and Little Britain Cafe, The Tap, Zoe - Taylor's Tails & Hospitality Harbour LTD who we unfortunately were able to play the adverts of!
We’ll be back next week as we return to league action, and a huge trip to former EFL side and FA Cup winners, Bury.