STONE, England (Interstat) — In a dramatic and high-scoring Staffordshire Senior Cup match that defied pregame projections, Stone Alleynians outlasted Stafford Rangers 4-3 at Wellbeing Park on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.

The contest, an opening-round fixture in the county competition, was expected to be a tightly contested affair. Statistical models heavily favored the visiting Stafford Rangers, projecting them with a 55.4 percent probability to advance. Instead, the match transformed into a back-and-forth offensive showcase, with the home side ultimately securing a narrow victory.

Stone Alleynians seized the initiative early. Forward Ali Habeşoğlu opened the scoring in the eighth minute, giving the hosts a lead they would not relinquish, though it was repeatedly challenged. Stafford Rangers responded quickly, leveling the score in the 20th minute through a goal from midfielder Dino Hotič. The visitors then stunned the home crowd by taking a 2-1 lead just five minutes later, with substitute Mame Birame Diouf finding the net.

The first-half scoring frenzy continued as Habeşoğlu struck again in the 37th minute to pull Stone Alleynians even at 2-2. Diouf, however, restored Stafford Rangers’ advantage with his second goal deep into first-half stoppage time, sending the teams to the break with the visitors leading 3-2.

The second half saw the momentum shift decisively. Stone Alleynians, now pushing for an equalizer, found it in the 70th minute. Hotič scored his second goal of the match for Stafford Rangers, but it was an own goal, pulling the home side level at 3-3. The match appeared headed for a potential draw until the final moments of stoppage time.

In the fourth minute of added time, Stone Alleynians substitute Oğuzcan Çalışkan became the hero, netting the decisive goal to complete the comeback and seal a 4-3 victory for the home side. The winning play was assisted by Francis Ezeh, another substitute who had entered the match earlier.

The match was not without disciplinary incidents. Stafford Rangers’ Francis Ezeh received a yellow card in the 41st minute. Stone Alleynians defender Arlind Ajeti was booked in the 62nd minute, and the goal-scoring midfielder Dino Hotič of Stafford Rangers saw a yellow card in the 71st minute.

The result marked a successful start to the Staffordshire Senior Cup campaign for Stone Alleynians, improving their record in the competition to one win and no losses this season. For Stafford Rangers, the defeat was their first in the tournament, leaving them with a record of no wins and one loss. The records also reflect each team’s overall start to the 2026 campaign across all competitions.

Key individual performances defined the match. For the victorious Stone Alleynians, the two-goal effort from Ali Habeşoğlu provided the critical early offense. For Stafford Rangers, midfielder Dino Hotič was central to their attack, contributing two goals and an assist, while substitute Mame Birame Diouf added a potent two-goal threat off the bench.

The final score stood in stark contrast to the pregame simulation from Interstat, which had projected a 2-1 victory for Stone Alleynians. The actual seven-goal thriller provided a memorable Valentine’s Day fixture for the fans in attendance, cementing Stone Alleynians’ place in the next round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup.