Rangers boss wants derby revenge

Stafford Rangers boss Greg Clowes has challenged his side to match Hednesford's desire to bounce back in the derby on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Pitmen come to Marston Road after losing another derby, at home to Chasetown on Boxing Day, while Rangers were beaten 2-0 at Nantwich.

Clowes' men can now call on home comforts but will be without midfielder Glynn Blackhurst, who misses out again with a back injury.

Blackhurst pulled a muscle warming up at Nantwich and sat out the game, with Kevin Street set to take his place in the squad.

Jon Sheldon will also start for Rangers on the left wing with Harry Clayton moving up front to replace Alan Nagington, who is away on his honeymoon.

The last match between the two sides in August was a nine-goal thriller that Rangers lost and Clowes has not forgotten the pain of that day.

He said: "It's a massive game for the club, there's no doubt about that, it's the local derby and everybody at Stafford Rangers looks for those fixtures.

"I know how much it means to the fans, I have been reminded about that ever since we lost the derby in the early part of the season.

"All I can say to the players is that if they want to play for Stafford Rangers, they have got to start proving it on the pitch.

"I class work rate and desire as basics skill of the game, those players have got to be 'at it' and playing well.

"They are going to want to bounce back and our aim is to match that."

Rangers will be seeking revenge from the corresponding fixture in August, where they chucked away a 4-2 lead with nine minutes to go and lost 5-4.

That was Bank Holiday heartache in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League for Clowes and the manager is determined to avoid a repeat.

He said: "I felt that we threw the game away over here, I don't think we deserved to lose that game on the balance of play.

"For a large period, we were in charge, but they took their chances and football is all about results."