Recap

First Half

It took just seven minutes for the travelling Boro supporters to find their voice. Kyle Sambor created space inside the Kidsgrove box and saw his effort blocked by Reiss Martin, but the rebound fell perfectly for Mitch Clarke, who calmly guided the ball into the far corner to give Rangers an early lead.

Webster saw a free kick blocked in the 13th minute, before Kidsgrove threatened on 27 minutes. Clayton Malbon cleverly dummied a pass to release Reuben Falding, whose driven cross was pushed away by Russ Saunders, with Martin unable to convert at the back post.

Rangers doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark. Fallon’s high ball forward was flicked on by Darrhyl Mason into the path of Webster, who delayed his pass before feeding Sambor on the left.

Sambor cut inside and delivered a superb cross into the six yard area, where Thompson arrived to nod home from close range.

Second Half

Five minutes after the restart, Mason’s pressing forced Will Hardeman into a mistake deep in Kidsgrove territory. Mason slipped Sambor through on goal, but his low strike was saved by Keaton Moseley.

Just past the hour, Mason again caused problems, judging a long ball expertly before firing a half volley that Moseley pushed away at full stretch.

The decisive third goal arrived in the 65th minute. Substitute Jack Birch won possession in midfield and immediately threaded a slide rule pass into space for Sambor, who steadied himself and finished clinically low to Moseley’s right to seal the result.

Kidsgrove mustered a couple of late moments inside the Stafford box, with Saunders saving comfortably and Tonks clearing danger, but Rangers continued to push for more. Wealth Da Silva and Bakkor combined well, with Bakkor firing just over.

Bakkor had another opportunity in the 85th minute after reacting quickest to a poor Moseley clearance, but his ambitious 40 yard effort sailed over with the goalkeeper stranded.

The final chance fell to Zaknoune, who met a Bakkor cross inside the area but headed narrowly wide.

Full-Time: Kidsgrove Athletic 0–3 Stafford Rangers

A dominant, professional performance sees Rangers progress in the FA Trophy, backed by a strong away following and a confident all round display.

Kidsgrove: 1. Keaton Moseley 2. Reuben Falding 3. Reiss Martin (Oliver Jepson 63) 4. Jack Bromfield (Lynden Nixon 73) 5. Reece Davies 6. Will Hardeman 7. Clayton Malbon (Josh Thorpe 80) 8. Jordan Flattley 9. Byron Harrison (Courtney Duffus 63) 10. Kyron Cooper (Henry Brereton 56) 11. Nathan Morley

Stafford: 13 Russell Saunders, 2. Beto Gomes 4. Todd Ferrier (8. Tom Tonks 72) 5. Andy Burns (C) 6. Anis Zaknoune 7. Kyle Sambor (9. Scott Bakkor 81) 11. Darrhyl Mason (14. Wealth Da Silva 72) 12. Ty Webster (3. Joe Dunne) 15. Mitch Clarke 16. Joe Thompson 17. Ashley Fallon (10. Jack Birch 63)

Cautions: Bromfield 10 (Kidsgrove) Ferrier 40 Burns 55 (Stafford)

Goals: Clarke 7, Thompson 30, Sambor 69

Assists: Sambor, Birch

Referee: Joseph Morrell

Attendance: 371