Rangers to offer Luke Chapman deal

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes opened negotiations wth trialist Luke Chapman after his two-goal star show in the win at Stone Dominoes.

The left-sided midfielder scored a brace in last night's pre-season friendly, Clowes' first victory as Rangers boss, first a 20-yard drive and then a free-kick in the second half.

Dominoes had pulled the game level at the break through Ryan Green's equaliser with Ryan Dicker missing a penalty for Rangers, before Chapman restored the visitors lead after the break.

Substitute Neville Thompson, on his Rangers debut, then made it 3-1 before a Sean Jones own goal set up a tense finale, but Clowes' men held on for the win.

And the Rangers boss, who also gave run-outs to trialists Jones and Market Drayton's Rob Stevenson last night, admitted that Chapman has played his way into a deal.

He said: "Luke is a player who has caught my eye and I had a good chat with him after the game, so hopefully we sort something out."

Rangers will field Alex Forde in their next pre-season friendly at Rocester tomorrow but fellow midfielder Kevin Street is out with a hamstring injury, as is winger Peter Heler with a foot problem.

Utility man Charlie Reeves will also miss the trip, after pulling out of last night's game in the warm-up with ankle trouble.

And Clowes will be looking for his side to play the passing game they displayed at Dominoes in tomorrow's match.

He said: "It's not about anything but fitness, but we had intentions of passing the ball around all night and it will be the same tomorrow.

"I am really pleased with how we kept the ball."

Rangers' pre-season friendly at Norton United on Tuesday night has been switched to Marston Road, kick-off 7:45pm.