Recap

Manager Graham Deakin made several changes from the Bank Holiday double header. Remi Efunnuga began the first match of his suspension, while Kyle Sambor and Ty Webster dropped to the bench and Harvey Washington was rested. Into the starting XI came Anis Zaknoune, Todd Ferrier, Joe Thompson, and Darrhyl Mason, the latter rewarded with a place after scoring away at Padiham.

The afternoon carried a celebratory tone. Rangers unveiled their new electronic scoreboard, and prior to kick off Tom Tonks was presented with a commemorative shirt to mark his 100th appearance for the club.

First Half

The festivities quickly spilled onto the pitch. In the 7th minute, Stafford’s in form midfielder Jack Birch claimed his seventh goal of the season, drifting between the centre backs to meet a superb Tonks delivery and head home emphatically.

Chenecks responded with a free kick opportunity three minutes later, Lewis Irwin bending his effort narrowly wide of Russell Saunders’ right hand post. But Rangers soon tightened their grip on the game, creating a steady stream of chances.

Scott Bakkor twice went close — first in the 19th minute when he met a Zaknoune cross but lifted his effort over, and again five minutes later when another Zaknoune delivery found him eight yards out, only for his header to clear the bar.

The pressure told in the 27th minute. A corner caused chaos in the box, Mason’s attempted effort ricocheting kindly to Todd Ferrier, whose driven shot was deflected into the path of Joe Thompson. The midfielder reacted sharply, steering home from six yards to double the lead.

Bakkor almost added a third before the break, brilliantly controlling a long Zaknoune pass before driving into the box, but once again his finish flew over.

Second Half

The pattern continued after the restart. Beto Gomes, who delivered a man of the match performance, repeatedly tormented the Chenecks defence down the right. One dazzling run saw him glide past two defenders before his cross was headed clear by Luca Durse.

Tonks went close with a 30 yard free kick on 58 minutes, fizzing his effort just wide. Substitute Ty Webster injected further energy, twice threatening the goal — first with a powerful strike saved low by Lashley, then with a curling effort that sailed over the bar and into the Shed End.

Mason then saw a stonewall penalty appeal waved away, the striker turned on the edge of the box and with the goal at his mercy, he was seemingly clipped as he composed himself in front of goal – referee Jamie Roberts was unmoved however, to the strikers disbelief.

Sambor, also introduced from the bench, missed a golden chance in the 80th minute after neat build up play from Gomes and Mason, his close range effort drifting wide with Lashley wrong footed.

Despite Stafford’s dominance, Chenecks reminded their hosts of the need for concentration. A dangerous free kick six minutes from time caused uncertainty, and substitute Luke Emery headed over their best chance of the afternoon after Saunders was unable to fully clear.

Gomes remained relentless, creating yet another opportunity in the 88th minute when his blocked cross fell kindly for him to shoot, but Lashley saved with his legs.

Late Finish & Full Time

The deserved third goal arrived deep into stoppage time. Max Chimenes, back in the squad while on dual registration with Eccleshall, met another excellent Gomes cross and headed home from close range to seal the victory.

The final whistle was greeted by jubilant applause from the 1,111 supporters in attendance, including club investors George Bruneau and Nathan Owen. Attention now turns to Monday’s draw — and the entrance of Step 2 clubs into the competition.

Stafford: 13 Russell Saunders, 2 Beto Gomes, 4 Todd Ferrier (7 Kyle Sambor 67), 5 Andy Burns (c), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Scott Bakkor (18 Max Chimenes 76), 10 Jack Birch (6 Ashley Fallon 86), 11 Darrhyl Mason, 14 Anis Zaknoune, 15 Mitch Clarke, 16 Joe Thompson (12 Ty Webster 56)

Subs not used: Leon Phillips, Wealth Da Silva, Joe Dunne

Goals: Birch 7, Thompson 27, Chimenes 90+3

Chenecks: 1. Brad Lashley, 2. Sebastian Inniss, 3. Tyrun Primus, 4. Luke Davis (c) 5. Luca Durse, 6. George Herbert 7. Ijah Augustine, 8. Ryan Coxhill, 9. Lewis Irwin, 10. Jamil Yusif, 11. Shad Reza

Subs: Jacob Cox, Archie Dyer, Luke Emery, Michael Cirelli, Lewis Green Sean McBride, Axel Owusu

Attendance: 1,111
Referee: Jamie Roberts