Recap

Rangers had been within seconds of victory at the first time of asking before Halesowen snatched a last gasp equaliser but there was no stopping Graham Deakin’s men who once again proved themselves more than a match for a higher ranked side.

Halesowen were the most adventurous of the two sides in the early stages and came close to an opener on 13 minutes when Jason Cowley’s header somehow stayed out after hitting the post.

Rangers gradually found openings in the home defence and Jack Birch produced their first shot on goal some 20 minutes in before a shot from Todd Ferrier appeared to be blocked by the hands of Dan Meredith but referee James Hall turned away Rangers’ penalty appeals.

The opening goal came on 31 minutes via the head of Stafford’s Joe Dunne who snapped up the opportunity after Andy Burns had flicked on Birch’s corner.

Leon Phillips kept Rangers in front with two excellent saves in the space of a minute. The Stafford keeper turned over Cowley’s free kick which was heading for the top corner then made another save to deny the Halesowen marksman from the resultant corner.

There was not a moment’s rest as Rangers immediately attacked and Scott Bakkor looked to have got clear only for Ryan Woolacott to track back and prevent Bakkor getting in a shot.

Half Time: Halesowen Town 0 Stafford Rangers 1

Halesowen made the early running from the restart and Phillips pulled off another great save early in the second half as he kept out an inswinging shot from Josh Bailey before Dan Meredith fired over.

Cowley’s acrobatics saw another shot miss the target and James Kellerman sent his 30 yard free kick over the top of the Stafford cross bar.

Eventually, the pressure produced its reward for Halesowen when Cowley fired in the equaliser on 65 minutes following Kellerman’s corner although it was a kick that should never have happened as Rangers should have been given a goal kick for the ball coming off the head of Wollacott.

Samson Hewett came close to putting the home side ahead after being put through by Meredith. He managed to get past Phillips but Beto Gomes got back to clear off the line. Soon after, Kellerman curled a free kick just wide of the far post.

Having weathered the storm, Rangers set themselves up for a strong finish. The tigerish Todd Ferrier did superbly in the centre of the field before Remi Efunnuga used his strength to enable him to pick out Bakkor but Daniel Platt made a good save to keep the tie level.

It was Efunnuga who became Rangers’ hero on 82 minutes when he restored the Boro’s lead, firing home after Platt had pushed the ball into his path following a trademark throw from Tom Tonks.

Darrhyl Mason missed two chances to put the result beyond doubt when he went clear only for Platt to make two excellent saves.

The 600 travelling Rangers fans must have had flashbacks as Halesowen won a last minute corner. Even keeper Platt went up but there was to be no heartbreak moment and the referee’s whistle sparked celebrations among the Stafford camp.

Full Time: Halesowen Town 1 Stafford Rangers 2

Halesowen: 1 Daniel Platt, 5 Ryan Wynter (c), 6 Ryan Wollacott, 7 Todd Parker, 8 Lewis Ludford-Ison (17 James Kellermann 42m), 9 Jason Cowley, 11 Vanylson Da Costa Silva (23 Tyrone Barnett 85m), 13 Kacy Butterfield, 14 Joshua Bailey (18 Robert Evans 85m), 19 Samson Hewett (2 Ben Cassidy 73m), 22 Daniel Meredith.

Unused Subs 4 Matthew Preston, 21 Gael Mfuamba, 25 Patrick Wood.

Stafford: 1 Leon Phillips, 2 Beto Gomes, 3 Joe Dunne, 4 Todd Ferrier, 5 Andy Burns (c), 6 Tom Tonks (18 Harvey Washington 86m), 7 Kyle Sambor (11 Darrhyl Mason 71m), 9 Scott Bakkor, 10 Jack Birch, 12 Ty Webster (19 Remi Efunnuga 65m), 15 Mitch Clarke.

Unused Subs 13 Russell Saunders, 14 Wealth Da Silva, 16 Joe Thompson, 17 Lewis Dilks

Referee: James Hall

Cautions: Cowley 23m (Halesowen), Phillips 65m, Gomes 70m, Tonks 84m, Clarke 8m (Stafford)

Goals: Halesowen: Cowley 65m ; Stafford: Dunne 31, Efunnuga 82m

Att: 2078

Report by Chris Elsley