Burton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 0

Tuesday 26th December 2000
Burton Albion 0 Stafford Rangers 0
Dr Martens League Premier Division
At: Eton Park
Kick-off: 12-00 noon
Programme: £1-50p (44 pages)
Attendance: 2501
Weather: sunny, cold


Stafford Rangers became the first side to prevent Burton Albion from scoring in a league game this season as they held the league leaders to a goalless draw before a large Bank Holiday crowd at Eton Park. The home side wasted numerous chances but a combination of inaccurate finishing, resolute defending and a crucial save by Richard Williams frustrated Nigel Clough’s men. But Rangers created the odd chance themselves and could have nicked a win.

In a pulsating first half of flowing attacking football, Burton created several good scoring opportunities. In the 6th minute, Clough crossed from the right to the near post where Christian Moore sent a bullet header inches wide then four minutes later, Clough forced Williams to make a fine diving side at close range. Just before the half hour mark Glasser headed over from seven yards and also fired a shot a couple of feet wide from the edge of the area. In between Rangers soaked up a lot of pressure and approaching on half-time could have taken the lead. Darren Middleton hit a dipping 20-yard shot which fell just over the bar and Craig Lovatt had a header blocked on the line by the book of Albion keeper Matt Duke.

The second half was quiet in terms of goalmouth action for long periods but Rangers always looking threatening. Ian Painter made good use of his three substitutions including debutant defender John Diskin on for injured Scott Dundas which forced a reshuffle at the back. Surprisingly all three of Burton’s remained on the bench.

Stafford have now gone four matches without defeat and on this showing are more than an match for any side in the Dr Martens League.

Burton Albion (yellow/black/black): 1. Matt Duke, 2. Jason Kavanagh, 3. Terry Henshaw, 4. Neil Glasser, 5. Mark Blount, 6. Darren Wassall, 7. Darren Stride, 8. Pat Lyons, 9. Christian Moore, 10. Nigel Clough, 11. Dale Anderson. Subs: 12. Andy Garner (not used), 14. David Holmes (not used), 15. Michael Forsyth (not used).

Stafford Rangers (maroon/maroon/maroon): 1. Richard Williams, 2. Leigh Everritt, 3. Steve Jones, 4. Darren Middleton, 5. Chris Brindley, 6. Darren Simkin, 7. Paul Kiely, 8. Craig Lovatt, 9. Joe O’Connor, 10. Tony Eccleston, 11. Scott Dundas. 12. Dean Craven (for Kiely, 61), 14. John Diskin (for Dundas, 67), 15. Darren Shaw (for Middleton, 84).

Referee: RC Burton (Kettering).

Stafford Rangers 3 Weymouth 2

Saturday 23rd December 2000
Stafford Rangers 3 Weymouth 2
Dr Martens League Premier Division
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £1 (44 pages)
Attendance: 712
Weather: misty, cold


Stafford (in tenth position with 25 points from 18 games) went into their last game before Christmas on the back on victories in their last two league games – a home to Folkestone Invicta and last Saturday away at Dorchester Town.

Visitors Weymouth, on a 400-mile round trip from the south coast, were also in midtable, 14th position to be precise, having gained two points less than Stafford from the same number of games.

Manager Ian Painter named an unchanged Stafford line-up with just one alteration on the bench as recent signing John Diskin replaced Darren Shaw.

The game, started with an orange ball, almost had a spectacular start. With barely 25 seconds on the clock, Darren Middleton hit a powerful 25-yard shot which was well held by Weymouth keeper Danny Potter. Tony Eccleston had the ball in the back of the visitors’ net after 4 minutes only for the gaol to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Shortly after Chris Brindley had headed against the Weymouth bar, the visitors took the lead in the 32nd minute Matthew Hale’s shot took a deflection off Steve Jones and looped towards goal. Darren Rowbotham, on his own in front of goal and looking well offside, headed home from eight yards out.

Stafford equalised within a minute. Eccleston got to a bouncing ball on the edge of the Weymouth area just before Potter and headed into an unguarded net.

A swift break on the hour mark led to Weymouth regaining the lead. Interpassing between Rowbotham and substitute Lee Phillips created a chance for Mark Robinson who fired home from 12 yards out.

Robinson turned from hero to villain in the 76th minute by handling inside his own area. The referee awarded a penalty which Darren Simkin converted to level things up at 2-2.

Stafford had much the better of the last 15 minutes and, in an exciting finish, scored the winner in the 85th minute. A deep corner was headed into the goalmouth by Brindley for Man of the Match Craig Lovatt to head home at close range.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Richard Williams, 2. Leigh Everritt, 3. Steve Jones, 4. Darren Boughey, 5. Chris Brindley, 6. Darren Simkin, 7. Darren Middleton, 8. Craig Lovatt, 9. Joe O’Connor, 10. Tony Eccleston, 11. Paul Kiely. Subs: 12. Scott Dundas (for Boughey, 23), 14. John Diskin, 15. Dean Craven (for Kiely, 67).

Weymouth (terra/terra/terra): 1. Danny Potter, 2. Mark Gammon, 3. Matthew Hale, 4. Simon Browne, 5. John Waldock, 6. Ryan Cross, 7. Mark Robinson, 8. Matthew Hare, 9. Darren Rowbotham, 10. David Laws, 11. Gary Funnell. Subs: 12. Ian Hutchinson (for Hale, 86), 14. Lee Phillips (for Gammon, 58), 15. Martin Underham (for Funnell, 86).

Referee: JR Hubbard (Leicester).

Goals:
0-1 Darren Rowbotham (32)
1-1 Tony Eccleston (33)
1-2 Mark Robinson (60)
2-2 Darren Simkin (75 pen)
3-2 Craig Lovatt (84)

Dorchester Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2

Saturday 16th December 2000
Dorchester Town 0 Stafford Rangers 2
Dr Martens League Premier Division
At: Avenue Stadium
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £1-50p (44 pages)
Attendance: 547
Weather: -


Stafford Rangers produced a fine all-round team performance in recording a 2-0 victory at struggling Dorchester, their first away from home in the league for three months. The win moves them up to the top half of the table into tenth position.

The home side went on the attack at the start and Sullivan should have put them ahead after just three minutes. Groves crossed from the right to the unmarked wing-back on the edge of the six yard box but his shot hit Richard Williams.

Stafford weathered the early storm and gradually clawed their way back into the match. Darren Middleton was particularly influential in midfield while Joe O’Connor had a goalbound effort cleared from near the line. After the break Rangers took the lead on the hour mark. Craig Lovatt played the ball forward to Paul Kiely who was allowed to run deep into the area and lob Mark Ormerod from eight yards.

Dorchester rallied towards the end but a minute from time O’Connor wrapped up the game with a second goal. He was on hand to help the ball into an empty net after Tony Eccleston flicked a long forward pass past the advancing Ormerod.

Dorchester Town (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Mark Ormerod, 2. Martyn Sullivan, 3. Andy Harris, 4. Michael White, 5. Mark Morris, 6. Jason McIvor, 7. Matt Lonnon, 8. Marcus Oldbury, 9. Danny O'Hagan, 10. Matt Groves, 11. Matt Holmes Subs: 12. Owen Pickard (for Harris, 74), 14. Chris Ferritt (Holmes, 65), 15 Simon Radcliffe (not used).

Stafford Rangers (maroon/maroon/maroon): 1. Richard Williams, 2. Leigh Everritt, 3. Steve Jones, 4. Darren Boughey, 5. Chris Brindley (capt), 6. Darren Simkin, 7. Darren Middleton, 8. Craig Lovatt, 9. Joe O’Connor, 10. Tony Eccleston, 11. Paul Kiely. Substitutes: 12. Scott Dundas (for Boughey, 83), 14. Dean Craven (for Middleton, 90+4), 15. Darren Shaw (for Kiely, 88).

Referee: Mr RP Desmond (Fairford).

Goals:
0-1 Paul Kiely (60)
0-2 Tony Eccleston (90)

Mildenhall Town 0 Porthleven 0

Saturday 9th December 2000
Mildenhall Town 0 Porthleven 0 (aet)
FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round
At: Recreation Way
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (36 pages)
Attendance: 270
Weather: sunny



Mildenhall Town (amber/black/black): 1. Alex Thorpe, 2. Andy Critoph, 3. Paul Cordy, 4. Luke Moore, 5. Mark Winstone, 6. Stuart Ogilvie, 7. Kevin Sobiechowski, 8. Mark Reeder, 9. Ben Goddard, 10. Neil Pope, 11. Lee Drury. Subs: 12. Steve Low (for Ogilvie, 103), 13. Lee Sharp (for Cordy, 107), 14. Mark Nunn (for Sobiechowski, ht), 15. Dan Kelly (not used).

Porthleven (navy and sky blue halves / white / sky blue): 1. Gary Penhaligan, 2. Matt Latham, 3. Paul Ainscough, 4. Richard Triggs, 5. Wayne Hillson, 6. John Burrows, 7. Dave Larsen, 8. Andrew Bleasdale, 9. James Miller, 10. Ben Hayden, 11. Nicky Medlyn. Subs: 12. Ian Hodge (not used), 14. Dominic Richardson (for Miller, 49), 15. Alan Roberts (not used), 16. Dean Bray (not used).

Referee: Glen Hambling (Norwich).