Match Preview - 12/1/08 Stafford v Forest Green

Stafford Rangers take a break from league action on Saturday when they entertain Blue Square Premier rivals Forest Green Rovers in an FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round tie at Marston Road.

The tie provides a great opportunity to take one step nearer a trip to the new Wembley Stadium for the Final in May and has the incentive of more prize money - £5000 is the payment to each Second Round winner.

If the league game earlier in the season is any guide (report), this Trophy tie should be a close affair. At the beginning of October, Rangers looked to be heading for a creditable 1-1 draw until a couple of debatable decisions allowed Forest Green to take the points with two late goals. Two years ago, also in the Second Round, Rangers defeated Forest Green 2-1 on a run to the Quarter Finals.

Rangers go into the game with Chris Flynn who completes his four-match ban and also Neil Grayson. The joint caretaker player-manager misses the game with a one-match suspension for picking up five bookings. Dolapo Olaoye and Nathan Smith come into contention to fill Grayson’s place in the starting line-up. Seb Arnolin is cup-tied.

Defender Djimi Sangare remains a doubt with his troublesome ankle problem that flares up again last Saturday though Richard Sutton is available to return having served a one-match ban. Steve Hopkinson should recover from the back injury that kept him out of the Stevenage game.

Despite a surprise appearances on the bench at Burton, striker Marco Adaggio won’t feature. He has been cleared by physiotherapy to step up training but will not be rushed back from the knee injury which has kept him out of action since late October.

Forest Green, managed by Jim Harvey, are currently in seventh position in the Blue Square Premier table, just three points off a play-off spot. However, they lost their last two league games - 1-0 at Kidderminster on New Year’s Day and 2-1 at home to Grays Athletic last Saturday - so will be looking to bounce back at Marston Road.

In the First Round, they won 4-1 at Blue Square South bottom club Sutton United with Fleetwood (2), Stonehouse and Giles finding the net.

One man to keep an eye on is leading scorer Stuart Fleetwood who scored twice in the league game at Marston Road. He is certainly hot property and Gloucestershire neighbours Cheltenham Town and also Crewe Alexandra have been trying to secure his signature during the current Transfer Window. Both League One clubs reportedly offered six-figure fees.

Saturday’s Trophy tie should be a game worth watching. If it finishes all square then the replay will be at Forest Green’s New Lawn ground on Tuesday 15th January.

Kick-off at Marston Road is the usual 3-00 pm. Admission for adults is £12 and concessions is £8. Transfer to the main stand is £2. Under-12s accompanied by an adult just £2.

FA CARLSBERG TROPHY Second round: Bishop's Stortford v Halifax Town, Blyth Spartans v Tamworth, Braintree v Workington, Crawley v Eastleigh, Dorchester v Ebbsfleet, Droylsden v Cambridge City, Farsley Celtic v Alfreton, Histon v Cambridge United, Newport County v Torquay, Rushden & Diamonds v Exeter, Stafford Rangers v Forest Green, Tonbridge Angels v AFC Wimbledon, Vauxhall Motors v Burton Albion, Weymouth v Kidderminster, Woking v Aldershot, York v Grays

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER: Salisbury City v Oxford United