Rangers goalkeepers fight for place

Stafford Rangers goalkeepers Danny Read and Adam Alcock were today battling it out for a place between the sticks for the FA Cup tie with Stratford at Marston Road.

Sam Johnson is unable to play under the terms of his loan from Port Vale, as is Crewe left-back Adam White, so Read or Alcock will get the nod to start tomorrow.

Jordan Wood is also an outside contender but, at age 17, is unlikely to figure although Read is still not completely fit from a hip injury so Alcock, younger brother of former Rangers No 1 Danny, could make his debut.

Manager Greg Clowes otherwise reports a clean bill of health for the second qualifying round tie, with Kevin Street back in the squad after five games out with a groin injury.

Rangers return to FA Cup action, where they won at AFC Wulfrunians in the first qualifying round, still able to call upon defender Luke George and midfielder Glynn Blackhurst, whose suspensions have yet to start.

Blackhurst's sending off was the one blot on the fine win at Evo-Stik Premier League leaders Northwich in midweek but his ban does not take effect for two weeks, while George is suspended from next Saturday.

The tie - worth £4,500 to the winner - pairs Rangers with the high scorers of the last round, netting 11 before eventually going through against Newcastle Town.

Hotshot striker Ben Mackey scored five in a 6-2 replay win - after a 5-5 draw in the first game - and Rangers boss Greg Clowes has told his side to be on alert.

He said: "Stratford have got some dangerous players, they have got a couple of lads who helped themselves to a hatful in the last round.

"But the FA Cup can through all sort of things at you and that what makes it - anything can happen."

Stratford's presence in the round denied the chance of a reunion for Clowes with Newcastle Town, who he left for Rangers in the summer after four years in charge.

The two will meet in the FA Trophy if Castle beat Woodford United but Clowes insists it has yet to cross his mind.

He said: "I never thought about the tie with Newcastle because they were never in front of us, I wasn't bothered about whether they made it or not.

"From the fans point of view, it would have been great, but you take what you are served up.

"All I know is that we have got Stratford at home and that's it."