Stafford Rangers 0-0 Brackley Town (Brackley win 4-2 on pens) - Isuzu FA Trophy - Saturday 18th November 2023

On a day when 14 National League North sides exited the FA Trophy, Saints won in dramatic fashion on a rain-soaked first visit to NPL Premier side Stafford Rangers in more than 25 years. With no extra time or replays the goalless 90 minutes delivered a penalty shoot-out won through Danny Lewis’ save with Alex Gudger stepping up to fire in the winning kick.

A feisty first half of few chances was only the fore-runner to a pulsating second half dominated by the visitors with Rangers’ keeper Cam Belford the home hero pulling off a string of saves to keep the tie goal-less. Dan Turner’s low shot was close, Layton Love’s free-kick blocked and Shep Murombedzi’s effort pushed away by Belford before substitute Dom McHale three times tested the home ‘keeper bringing two excellent added time saves that sent the tie to penalties.

In the shoot-out Love, Roberts and Murombedzi netted and Bates’s shot found only the post, as Rangers missed their first spot kick and Lewis saved the third leaving Gudger to apply the coup de grâce.

“It was always going to be tough and the pitch was a leveller,” Gavin Cowan said. “It was a mud-bath but we came through it and the lads were well worth the win. We would have liked to have won in normal time and we had enough chances but we were well worth the win in the end.”

Stafford Rangers: Belford, Stewart, Njaria, Blissett, Anderson (Morgan 74), Willis, Payne (Braithwaite 78), Burns, McMahon, Bird, Woods. Subs unused: Carvell, Sandel, Onyeka, Keeling.

Brackley Town: Lewis, Dean, Carline, Matwasa, Bates, Gudger, Calder, Armson (McHale 81), Murombedzi, Turner (Roberts 72), Love. Subs unused: Worby, Lyttle, Lilly, O’Sullivan.

Referee: Lewis Dawson Assistants: Richard Morris and Jordan Griffiths
Attendance: 582

PIC by Wendy Hill