Brindley praise as Rangers reach final

Rangers beat a Port Vale side packed with first-teamers, in a five-goal thriller of a semi-final at Marston Road last night.

Two goals from David McNiven and a match-winner from Nick Wellecomme set up a final showdown with Unibond League outfit Kidsgrove on April 22, ironically at Vale Park.

It was Wellecomme's third goal in four games, quadrupling his tally for the season, while McNiven added another brace to the 12 goals he has in the Blue Square North.

For the Rangers boss, it was the perfect tonic for his team after a difficult season that has yet to see the club completely stave off relegation.

Brindley said: "To get to any cup final is absolutely fantastic. To beat a good team with so much experience who played well, is so much better. We played some nice stuff and a place in the final is our reward.

"If we can get ourselves safe in the league, we can go up to Vale Park, hopefully take a few of our fans with us and enjoy a great end to what has been - up to now - a lousy season."

Not only did Rangers and Vale serve up a real treat for less than 300 paying customers, the Marston Road men made it two home wins in a week and their goal tally to seven in two matches.

Brindley said: "Things are just coming right for us at the moment, the lads who have come in to the team have just clicked. their job isn't done yet though. We need more points to be safe - we don't want to be going to Vale Park needing something from our last match of the season on the Saturday."

Defender Alan Dodd came in for the injured Stuart Pierpoint to help Rangers' cause, but full-back Andre Francis became another casualty when he went off with a knee injury.

Rangers now face the local derby at Blue Square North leaders Tamworth at on Saturday, followed by a home game against fellow strugglers Solihull on Easter Monday.

The manager added: "We've got to come out of Easter with some points or we could be back in trouble."