Match Preview

Another cup game is ahead of us and after the disappointment of Tuesday night, but the Royals will be keen to get back to winning ways this Saturday. It was a much different team to what we were used to on Tuesday but it was a chance for certain players to be rested and new ones trialed so the main team should be back together again and hopefuly pick up from where we left off last Saturday.

Stafford rangers are a semi professional team who currently play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. They wear black and white stripes and black shorts. Records were lost to when Stafford Rangers were actually formed but they are recognised as forming in 1876 according to articles in the local advertiser newspaper. The seventies were the most successful era in the club’s history, they won the Northern Championship FA Trophy and Staffordshire Senior Cup treble in season 71/72.

The last time we played Rangers was in the 17/18 league season where we lost 3-2 at home in the league and 4-1 away from home. On a brighter note, we did get a 1-1 draw playing them in the league cup but ended up losing on penalties. So, our record has not been great against Stafford Rangers in recent times and we have to be hopeful of turning that misfortune around on Saturday.

Stafford Rangers form so far this season has been poor, winning only 2 of their last 17 games which by Stafford’s standards is not acceptable, especially as they lie towards the bottom of their league. They will be looking to turn things around this Saturday, as favourites they will not have a better chance, but Sutton are masters at battling with the bigger boys and they don’t come much bigger than this.

Please come down this Saturday, the lads need as much support and encouragement as possible to get to the next round.

Thanks for your continued support.

Come on you Royals.