Charker’s men first St Francis side to win an FA Cup tie

St Francis Rangers manager Glenn Charker hailed his players second half performance as ‘magnificent’ as his team became the first St Francis Rangers side to win an FA Cup tie in their history.
St Francis v ErithSt Francis v Erith
St Francis v Erith

Charker’s side progressed into the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup where they will face Greenwich Borough, with a victory away at Erith Town on Saturday coming away 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from Jamie Weston.

Luke Akehurst, Ben Cochrane, Jimmy Cochrane, Rickie Peacock, and Joe Maskell were all unavailable which meant a start for the returning Club Captain Aaron Walsh from injury and James Westlake replaced Josh Hawkes in midfield who had to settle for a place on the subs bench.

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Whilst Jake Forward was with the reserves gaining additional match fitness and Tom Barnes returned to the squad having been away.

Rangers came into the game having won two in two so far in the league, but started the slowest at Badgers Sports Ground. Erith moved the ball fast up the hill in the first period with the wind behind them and threatened the Rangers goal on various occasions but mainly with long distance efforts with Rangers keeper Rob Gordon being the busiest albeit not having to make too many saves.

Luke Leppard hit the post for Rangers around the half hour mark when Jamie Weston made it past the Erith backline to the byline and pulled back to Leppard who’s side footed effort bounced off the far post with his second effort flying over the crossbar.

Rangers looked threatening when the dangerous midfield quartet of Millroy, Rose, Weston & Saunders broke through the Erith midfield at pace on several occasions but were unable to unlock the well organised Erith back four.

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Rob Gordon saved his second penalty in two games five minutes before the break after James Westlake had turned into trouble on the edge of his own penalty area and dragged the oncoming Erith forward down just inches into the Rangers box, as he stole possession from him and after consultation with his assistant, the excellent referee Ryan Adams pointed to the spot. Gordon guessed right and kept his side in the game as Rangers breathed a sigh of relief.

The second half was a totally different story. Rangers started fast and competed far more combatively than they had in the first half, in the first five minutes of the restart Pat Rose was put through by Millroy who’s effort was saved by the excellent home keeper.

Jamie Weston put the away team ahead on 56 minutes when Ben Palmer was fouled in the Erith penalty area, and Weston despatched the penalty in calm aplomb.

Six minutes later, Weston completed his brace when after a goalmouth scramble he headed home from close range.

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Nelson finished clinically for Erith with around twenty minutes to play when he smashed home from about ten yards, making it a nervy finish for Rangers, who stood firm and held out for the win despite Erith hitting the crossbar in the closing minutes from an acute angle.

Read Glenn Charker’s comments in this week’s Mid Sussex Times.