Stafford and Halesowen through in FA Cup, Hednesford boss responds to pressure
All the non-league action from across the region on Saturday afternoon.
Stafford Rangers gave a bumper crowd at Marston Road an afternoon to remember as they won an FA Cup thriller against Hereford.
They were joined in the hat for the third qualifying round by Halesowen Town, but Rushall Olympic and Hednesford Town are out.
The Pics lost 1-0 at higher-league Harborough Town, while Hednesford went down at home to a Coventry United side who play two divisions below them.
Under-pressure Pitmen boss Kelvin Davis said: “I understand the frustration, of course I do.
“I’ve been in the game a long time, played a lot of games in my career and never gave up, never shirked a challenge - that’s what we’ve got now.
“I know what I’m up against, I know what the feeling is around the club from some of our supporters and that doesn’t faze me.”
There were happier scenes at the Pitmen’s neighbours as 3,004 fans showed up to watch Stafford Rangers cause an upset against a Hereford side who are top of National League North, two divisions higher than them.
Danny Waldron had given the Bulls a first-half lead, but Scott Bakkor’s double a strike by Jack Birch turned the match in Boro’s favour before Hereford’s late consolation through Cawley Cox.
Boro boss Graham Deakin - whose side welcomed their biggest home crowd in 36 years - said: “I'm immensely proud to be manager of this football club.
“These fans have shown today what we're capable of as a football club, if we get it right.
“I think the lads deserve massive credit for winning 10 out of 11 games, 11 out of 12 now - the start that we've had has drawn the fans back in.”
In league action, newly-promoted Kidderminster Harriers are up to third in the National League after a goalless draw at Woking.
Lichfield City picked up their first victory of the season in Northern One West as Dylan Thomas’ 73rd-minute winner saw them climb off the bottom of the table at the expense of hosts Congleton Town.
Chasetown grabbed a point at home to Stalybridge Celtic. Kyle Moseley gave the Scholars an early lead, but Ruben Jerome and Lewis Rawsthorn had turned the match around by half-time.
However, Matt Funge struck six minutes from time to earn Chasetown a share of the spoils.
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