Wolverhampton Casuals produced a dominant display to sweep aside higher-placed Stafford Town 4-0 and book their place in the second round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup following an impressive performance on their short trip up the M6.

Despite Stafford sitting above Casuals in the league standings, the visitors grew into the contest after an initially bright start from the hosts, with their passing football and attacking intent eventually proving too much for Town to handle.

Stafford made the brighter opening but struggled to turn their early promise into clear-cut opportunities. Casuals goalkeeper Brown was called into action in the 11th minute when Lynch fired goalwards from 14 yards, but the effort was comfortably dealt with.

Three minutes later, Casuals fashioned their first opportunity when a poor clearance from Stafford goalkeeper Graham fell to Rowland. Spotting Graham out of position, Rowland tried his luck from around 30 yards, only to see his effort drift wide.

That warning sign was followed by a spell of increasingly confident football from Casuals, whose crisp passing began to pull Stafford out of position. Wood came close in the 17th minute with a fierce 25-yard strike that flashed narrowly past the post.

The breakthrough arrived in the 26th minute, and it was no more than Casuals deserved. Knowles collected a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a powerful finish that flew beyond Graham and nestled in the corner of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Stafford attempted an immediate response, breaking forward straight from the restart, with Efford driving across the Casuals box. However, there was nobody on hand to apply the finishing touch.

Casuals continued to threaten, and Gill delivered a superb low ball from the left in the 38th minute, inviting a decisive touch. Both Knowles and Rowland looked to get on the end of it, but neither could quite make the connection.

The visitors were not to be denied for long. five minutes before the interval, a swift Casuals counter-attack saw Wood release Jack Sang through on goal. Showing excellent composure, the striker lifted a delightful chip over the advancing Graham from 16 yards to double the advantage and send Casuals into half-time firmly in control at 2-0.

Stafford returned for the second half determined to make a game of it and looked to find a way back into the contest during the opening stages. Lynch tried his luck from around 20 yards, but his effort went straight into the hands of Brown.

The Stafford forward went even closer in the 50th minute when he delivered an excellent cross for Sherwood, whose goal-bound strike was brilliantly tipped around the post by Brown.

Casuals, however, remained a constant threat on the break, and in the 60th minute they extended their lead. Poor central defensive play from Stafford allowed Sang to race through on goal, and the striker kept his composure to slot the ball beyond Graham for his second of the afternoon and Casuals’ third.

Just three minutes later, Sang completed his hat-trick. Brown’s clearance was nodded on by Knowles and fell perfectly into the path of the advancing striker, who again made no mistake in front of goal. Sang calmly finished beyond Graham to complete a superb treble and put Casuals firmly out of sight at 4-0.

The striker almost added a fourth of his own in the 69th minute, but his effort smashed against the post before Stafford managed to clear the danger.

With the tie effectively settled, Casuals managed the remainder of the contest with confidence and composure. Stafford were unable to find a way through the visitors’ organised defence, while Brown and his teammates ensured that the clean sheet remained intact.

The final whistle confirmed a thoroughly deserved 4-0 victory for Wolverhampton Casuals, who progressed comfortably into the next round, where Lichfield await.

A commanding away performance had put Wolverhampton Casuals firmly in the driving seat from the moment they took the lead, and their ruthless finishing after the interval ensured that Stafford’s County Cup challenge was brought to a decisive end.

Button Oak Photography were at the game and have produced a limited poor quality album of images which can been seen by clicking Stafford Town - Staffs Senior Cup

Cup football continues on Saturday for Wolverhampton Casuals with the first time visit of Crewe to Brinsford Stadium for a Second Round Macron Cup tie. Kick off 3 pm