Match Reports

Tuesday 10th November 2009 West Midland (Regional) League Division One Warstones Wanderers 1 Stafford Town 4 Stafford moved 3 points clear at the top of the League after a hard fought match against Warstones whose 3 match winning run came to an end. The visitors took the lead after just 3 minutes when Morgan Hurley’s shot was saved by Andrew Aston but Matt Buckham was following up to score his 12th goal of the season. The home side then pushed Town back and after a mix up in the visitor’s defence Alex Deakin blasted wide of the open goal after 7 minutes. A superb run by Stafford’s Dave Woodvine from inside his own half ended with his shot being saved by Aston Town had another let off on the half hour mark when keeper Paul Burn lost the ball but the home side again missed the target, they were made to pay for that miss 5 minutes before half time when Buckham passed to Hurley who drove a low shot into the far corner of the net. The home side battled hard at the start of the 2nd half and Burn pulled off a good save after 51 minutes and Rob Tomlinson cleared off the line 10 minutes later, in the next minute Town made it 3-0 after Rhys Bake converted a pass from the hard working Hurley. Another mix up in the visitors defence allowed Jarel Hudson to reduce the arrears 3 minutes later but Stafford clinched the points 11 minutes from time when a speculative shot from substitute Mat Dockerty was fumbled into the net by Aston. This was another hard working performance from Town who have now gone 13 games since defeat. Saturday 14th November 2009 Staffordshire FA Vase 2nd Round Bloxwich United 1 Stafford Town 0 Town lost their 1st match since August in a game played in terrible conditions. The high wind made it impossible to play controlled football and their higher League opponents adapted to the conditions much better. The visitors kicked off down the slope and Matt Buckham had and early chance after 4 minutes when he was left unmarked at the far post but he hooked a difficult chance wide of the goal. The home side took control and gained the lead after 12 minutes when a left wing cross was headed powerfully into the net by Alan Wilkes giving keeper Paul Burn no chance. Burn came to Town’s rescue after 16 minutes with a double save to prevent the home side going 2 goals up. Stafford rarely looked like scoring without strikers Morgan Hurley and Rhys Baker who were both unavailable. The home side had several chances but finish of Town but either good goalkeeping or defending kept the visitors in the game right to the end. Although Stafford lost it was to a higher League side and they can concentrate on the important business of League points and promotion which is the main priority this season. The top three in Town’s Division are all level on 32 points although Town have a game in hand on Wellington who are top on goal difference. On Saturday 21st Stafford Town are at home to last season’s runners up Bilbrook in a return League Match, Town won 4-0 at Bilbrook earlier in the season and will be looking for a League ‘double’. The Match at Rowley Park kicks off at 2:30pm. West Midland (Regional) League Division One Stafford Town 7 Wolverhampton United 1 Town moved into 2nd spot in the League Table level on points with leaders Wellington. All the early pressure came from the home side but their early shooting was wayward. After 20 minutes Morgan Hurley saw his shot cleared off the goal line and 2 minutes later Matt Buckham shot straight at Ross Maddock in the visitors’ goal, in a rare attack by the visitors Jon Hickman latched onto a pass but shot wide of Paul Burn’s goal. The Reds finally took the lead in the 32nd minute when Craig Holland slipped the ball through to Hurley who coolly finished. A minute later Buckham saw his shot well saved by Maddock. In the 34th minute Maddock appeared to bring down Hurley in the penalty area but the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, the Carl Morris free kick was deflected for a corner. 7 minutes before half time Town doubled their lead when Buckham’s powerful shot was deflected past Maddock. 2 minutes into the 2nd half the home side wrapped up the points when Morris teed up Buckham who blasted the ball past Maddock. The game then entered a quiet spell as the visitors tried to limit the damage and Town’s passing went astray. The home side’s lack of concentration cost them a goal after 63 minutes when substitute David Jones ghosted in unmarked at the far post to score. The Reds stepped up their game and after Buckham saw his shot saved in the 67th minute they regained their 3 goal advantage a minute later when Buckham lifted the ball over a defender and completed his hat trick with a fierce shot past Maddock. 60 seconds later Buckham set up Hurley to tap in the 5th goal. As the visitors tired Town added further goals in the 88th minute when substitute Oliver Gore cut in from the left wing and smashed the ball into the far top corner of the goal, in the next minute Adam McMahon, also on as a substitute, tapped in the complete the scoring. It is so tight at the top of the Table that if Town had not conceded a goal they would have gone top, but it is your position after the last match which matters. For the second week running substitutes have scored for the Reds which points to quality on the bench which is crucial to a successful side. Their unbeaten run is extended to 12 League and Cup matches. West Midland (Regional) League Division One Wellington Amateurs 2 Stafford Town 2 The Reds extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches with a hard fought point at last season’s Champions but they almost picked up all three before the home side equalised deep into 2nd half injury time. The home side pushed Town back straight from the kick off as they looked to avenge their defeat earlier in the season at Rowley Park. After just 8 minutes Wellington took the lead when a Town defender slipped and let in Lewis Welch who scored past goalkeeper Paul Burn. Most of the game was being played in midfield between 2 of the best sides in the Division but Town began to get some possession and Matt Buckham shot just wide after 14 minutes after a run at the home goal, the home side then shot just wide a minute later neither keeper was being tested and Adam Price shot wide just before half time. There were more chances in the 2nd half as the game opened up, a Carl Morris cross was headed over the bar by the unmarked Morgan Hurley 10 minutes into the 2nd half. 5 minutes later Chris Henry was left unmarked at a corner and he headed the ball against Town’s post with Burn beaten. In the next minute Burn blocked a home striker’s shot with his legs and then tipped the follow up shot over the bar. As the moved from end to end Buckham chased a long goal kick and his shot was deflected for a corner. Another home attack saw Burn save at the expense of a corner. In the 65th minute Town equalised when a Buckham cross beat goalkeeper Steve Bray and hit the cross bar, Morris was the first to react and he headed the rebound into the net for his 4th goal of the season. The home side then pushed Town back into defence as they attempted to regain the lead and Burn had to be at his best to keep his goal intact, defenders Rob Tomlinson and Captain Tom Betts held out and several times the ball was scrambled away when Wellington looked certain to score. Substitute Adam McMahon replaced Buckham after 79 minutes and within 60 seconds he beat the home offside trap and slipped the ball past Bray to give Town and unlikely lead. The home side again swarmed forward but Town’s defence held firm and 2 minutes from the end of normal time Hurley beat a defender to a through ball but his shot went wide. 5 minutes into stoppage time a left wing cross was scrambled home to give Wellington a deserved share of the points after an excellent game of football. Wellington regained top spot in the league with their point while Town remain in 3rd, place 3 points behind with 2 matches in hand. In the 11 League games played this season Town have played 4 matches against last season’s top 3 winning 3 and drawing 1 after losing all 6 last season! On this kind of form Town must be considered serious promotion contenders this season if they can maintain this form until the end of the season. Saturday 24th October 2009 West Midland (Regional) League Presidents Cup Round 1 Penkridge Town 0 Stafford Town 1 The Reds reached the 2nd Round of the Presidents Cup after a hard fought victory over local rivals Penkridge. Despite Stafford being from a higher Division they were never comfortable and their hosts made them work for the entire 90 minutes to secure victory. The match was spoilt by the strong wind which made any ball in the air into a lottery. The visitors opened brightly and Dave Woodvine had an early shot just over Lee Cook’s bar. After 24 minutes a Mat Dockerty corner was flicked on by Matt Buckham but the goal bound ball was cleared off the line by a home defender. 5 minutes before half time Rhys Baker’s shot was well saved by Cook and Buckham’s follow up shot was deflected for a corner. From the corner Dockerty’s cross was headed home by Woodvine for his 1st goal since resigning for Town. The home side, despite having the wind behind them, hardly threatened Stafford’s goal in the 1st 45 minutes. Stafford would have expected a comfortable 2nd half with the wind at their backs but Penkridge created a number of chances. After 58 minutes home substitute had a point blank shot brilliantly saved by Paul Burn in Stafford’s goal. Stafford hardly threatened the home goal in the 2nd half but Adam McMahon headed wide of the goal in the 71st minute. A few minutes later the home side looked certain to equalise but their forward tripped over the ball when presented with an easy chance to level the scores. Just before full time Mark Holland crossed the ball into the home penalty area and Craig Holland flicked the ball onto McMahon who blasted his shot just over the bar. Stafford held out to keep a 3rd successive clean sheet despite being without several regular members of the side and extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions. Saturday 17th October 2009 West Midland (Regional) League Division One Stafford Town 1 Trysull 0 After getting off to a flying start Town had to battle hard to win 3 points against an impressive Trysull side who won promotion last season and are currently in mid table. In the 2nd minute a Mat Dockerty free kick from the right wing found Matt Buckham at the far post and his shot from a tight angle beat visiting keeper Aaron O’Malley. If the home side thought they were in for an easy 3 points they got a shock as the visitors battled had to get back into the match and created several chances. In the 9th minute Steve Witton ran at Town’s defence but fired his shot high over the bar and 60 seconds later Josh Wright shot just wide after being put clear of the home defence. Paul Burn saved well after a corner in the 25th minute but the Reds hit back and a Dave Woodvine header was cleared off the line after 29 minutes. Both goals lead a charmed life up to half time as both side created and missed chances and both defences worked hard to prevent further goals. Town’s players were all working hard and Morgan Hurley’s pass found Buckham but his shot was saved by O’Malley in the 50th minute, 5 minutes later Buckham shot over the bar from a good position. After 58 minutes Trysull hit the post in a goalmouth scramble and within a minute Town’s captain Tom Betts had a shot saved by O’Malley. Hurley was put through the visitor’s defence after 72 minutes but shot wide of the goal. Town had an amazing escape 5 minutes later when Michael Perks shot over the bar from inside the 6 yard box when the ball landed at his feet unmarked in front of goal! Town saw out the remainder of the game without any further scares and won a match which they would surely have lost or drawn in previous seasons. They needed all of their resolve to claim the 3 points and keep a 5th clean sheet in 10 League matches. On Saturday 24th Town travel to Second Division Penkridge Town in the First Round of the new Presidents Cup which features the teams from all three divisions of the West Midland (Regional) League. The game at the Monckton Centre kicks off at 3pm. Saturday 10th October 2009 West Midland (Regional) League Division One Stafford Town 5 Bridgnorth Town Reserves 0 After the excitement of Wednesday’s Cup victory it was back to the bread and butter business of League points with a home match against last season’s 3rd placed side Bridgnorth Town. Stafford began brightly and pushed their visitors back into their own half, after just 9 minutes Morgan Hurley scored at the near post after good work down the left wing and it looked as though the home side would have a comfortable victory but midfielder Wayne Bailey was shown a straight red card for raising his hands to an opponent. Manager Steve Dockerty had to reorganise his side and they played with just 1 striker for the remainder of the game. The visitors almost equalised 5 minutes before half time when Michael Walters was left unmarked in front of goal but his tame shot went straight into Paul Burn’s arms. The home side settled down in the 2nd half and top scorer Rhys Baker fired a shot against the post in the opening minute but the ball rebounded into keeper Darren Walters’ hands. A minute later Town doubled their lead when Hurley’s shot was spilled by Walters and Hurley rolled the ball into the unguarded net. In the next minute Baker crossed to Andy Kirkbride but his shot went just wide of the far post. The home side even with 10 men were in total control and Mat Dockerty’s shot was turned onto the post by Walters on the hour mark. 5 minutes later Baker hit the post as Town threatened to run riot. After 72 minutes Baker got the goal his hard word deserved when he ran at the goal and slipped the ball under the keeper to make the score 3-0. Substitute Oliver Gore, on for Hurley, smashed a 20 yard drive into the top corner of the net within 60 seconds of coming onto the pitch and 3 minutes from time ran onto a through ball, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the unguarded net for an excellent victory. New signing Rob Tomlinson was in excellent form at the heart of Town’s defence together with captain Tom Betts, and Dave Woodvine and Carl Morris bossed the midfield while Rhys Baker and Morgan Hurley ran tirelessly all afternoon. Another clean sheet points to much better organisation in defence after the defensive problems of recent seasons. Wednesday 7th October 2009 J.W.Hunt Cup First Round Stafford Town 5 Goodrich 1 The Reds destroyed their higher Division opponents with a superb display of attacking football. In the 1st minute Matt Buckham shot just wide of the visitor’s goal after Town had regained possession, just 60 seconds later Town broke out of defence and Buckham chipped the ball over Matt Cottrell in the Goodrich goal from 45 yards to put the home side in front. Town were attacking from all areas of the pitch and Dave Woodvine and the outstanding Morgan Hurley all went close to doubling the score but Paul Burn had to be alert as Goodrich were dangerous on their rare attacks and he saved a header from Tony Russon after the visitors won a free kick in the 36th minute. 5 minutes before half time Hurley scored number 2 with a pile driver from 30 yards which gave Cottrell no chance. 3 minutes later substitute Paul McMahon, on for the injured Adam Price, scored number 3 after beating a defender he blasted an unstoppable shot into the net. Goodrich came out for the 2nd half and pushed Town back for the opening 5 minutes before Hurley blasted goal number 4 in the 50th minute off the post and into the net. 5 minutes later McMahon score Town’s 5th and his second of the night to seal their place in the second round. Goodrich scored a consolation goal when Paul Harris netted from the penalty spot after Rhys Baker brought down a forward in the penalty area. Town’s back four were in outstanding form and rarely allowed their opponents any time on the ball, leading scorer Rhys Baker didn’t get on the score sheet but ran and harried all night. The midfield won the ball time after time and fed the forward line with good balls to run onto. Saturday 3rd October 2009 Stafford Town 4 Burntwood Town 1 Town were without a League fixture for the 2nd weekend in a row so a friendly was arranged at Rowley Park against Midland Combination First Division side Burntwood Town. Goals from Dave Woodvine, Adam Price, Matt Buckham and Zach Dellicompagni gave the Reds a comfortable win. Saturday 19th September 2009 West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Blackheath Town 2 Stafford Town 2 Bogy side Blackheath struck again as they held the Reds to a draw which cost the visitors top spot in the League Table. All the early pressure and possession came from Stafford and Mat Dockerty fired a free kick, given for hand ball on the edge of the area, against the inside of the post and the ball spun across the face of the goal. A bumpy pitch was making close control difficult and although Stafford were in control Paul Burn had to be alert to save with his legs after 22 minutes and then he saved from James Lockhart after 27 minutes from a corner. A minute later the visitors took the lead when Rhys baker controlled the ball on his chest with his back to goal, turned, and volleyed the ball past John Carmichael in the home goal for an outstanding piece of skill and finishing. Town continued to attack for the rest of the half without creating any clear cut chances and they gave the ball away far too many times. The 2nd half began with a 2nd goal for the visitors when Baker ran down the left wing, beat the last defender and smashed the fall into the far corner of the net for another superb goal. If Stafford though the points were in the bag they had a shock when 3 minutes later Blackheath were awarded a shock penalty when the referee adjudged that Tom Betts had brought down a home player in the penalty area although there appeared to be minimal contact. Stuart Hensman stepped up and sent Burn the wrong way to cut Stafford’s lead. The penalty seamed to knock Stafford out of their rhythm and inspire the home side who began to push the visitors back on the defensive. In the 57th minute the hosts hit the bar with Burn beaten after a corner caused confusion in the Stafford defence. The visitors still created chances and Ryan Fox passed to Matt Buckham but his shot was saved by Carmichael in the 59th minute and a minute later Fox volleyed wide of the goal after Buckham teed him up. The home side levelled the scores after 62 minutes when Lockhart chipped the ball over Burn and into the net. 5 minutes later Fox headed a free kick wide of the goal as Stafford attempted to regain the lead. 13 minutes from time Hensman his Stafford’s cross bar as the home side threatened to take all 3 points. After beating last season’s top 2 sides in the last 2 weeks Stafford failed to beat a mid table side who had lost their last 3 home games. Blackheath maintained their run of only 1 defeat in 11 matches against Stafford Town! Stafford Town are without a fixture this Saturday. They have been drawn at home to Goodrich in the 1st Round of the J W Hunt Cup. The fixture has been arranged for Wednesday 7th October at Stafford Rangers’ Marston Road Ground with a 7:45pm kick off. Saturday 18th July 2009 Stafford Town 2 Gornal Athletic 0 The Reds began their preseason matches with a comfortable won over West Midland League Premier Division side Gornal. The home side dominated the game for almost all of the 90 minutes. Rhys Baker put Town in front after 37 minutes when he received a through ball, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. 2 minutes into the 2nd half Jon Buckham scored the 2nd goal with a low shot into the corner of the net. Manager Steve Dockerty will be pleased with the clean sheet against higher league opposition. Saturday 25th July 2009 Stafford Town 8 Burntwood Town 0 The Reds won their 2nd preseason game with a crushing win over Midland Combination Division One side Burntwood Town. Town dominated the entire 90 minutes with keeper Paul Burn hardly getting a touch of the ball! The home side passed the ball round Rowley Park quickly and ran ring around the visitors with Ryan Fox scoring the 1st goal after 16 minutes when his 1st shot was blocked he followed up to score, 6 minutes later Fox crossed for Adam Seward to head home. On the half hour Carl Morris was tripped in the area by the visiting keeper and Morris scored from the spot kick. 5 minutes later Fox scored his 2nd with a shot into the roof of the net. No 5 came in the 39th minute when Morris put Rhys Baker through on goal and he scored low into the corner of the net. 3 minutes before half time a corner taken by Michael Weston was headed home by Mat Dockerty and in 1st half injury time Baker scored his 2nd of the game to put the Reds 7-0 ahead at half time. Manager Steve Dockerty brought on his substitutes in the 2nd half and the visitors battled hard to regain some pride, despite creating further chance Town only scored 1 further goal when Romuald Mede side footed a cross into the net. Another clean sheet for Town as they build up to the opening match of the new season on 8th August. Saturday 1st August Stafford Town 1 Earlswood Town 3 Town played their last home friendly before the new season and had a good workout against an impressive Earlswood side. Both side played good football and the visitors took the lead after 20 minutes when a long-range shot skidded off the wet turf and Paul Burn could only push the ball into the path of Josh Ferran who netted. This was the 1st goal the Reds had conceded in preseason but they battled back and Jon Buckham scored from close range after 30 minutes. In the 2nd half both side brought on several substitutes and the visitors regained the lead after 69 minutes when Oliver Birchall scored. The visitors clinched their victory 3 minutes from time when Junior Dunkley scored from a breakaway. Manager Steve Dockerty will be hoping for a better performance when Town begin their League Programme. Tuesday 4th August Penkridge Town 1 Stafford Town 4 The Reds finished their preseason games with a win at neighbours Penkridge. Ishmale Reid, Carl Morris, Mark Jones and Ryan Fox scored while keeper Paul Burn pulled off a tremendous penalty save in the 2nd half. Saturday 8th August 2009 West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Stafford Town 3 Warley Development 0 What a difference 12 months makes. This time last season The Reds lost their opening fixture 4-0 and were bottom of the table, this season they started with an emphatic victory and top the table, admittedly with 33 games to go! Town started brightly and put their visitors under early pressure as they passed the ball around Rowley Park quickly and accurately. In the 1st minute last season’s top scorer, Matt Buckham had his shot well saved and Ishmale Reid following up saw his shot deflected for a corner. After a lot of possession but with Warley looking dangerous on the break Town took the lead after 13 minutes when Carl Morris took advantage of a static defence to run from onside to score his 1st League goal since resigning for Town. Just 3 minutes later Town won a free kick 25 yards from goal and Reid spotting the keeper positioned at the far post curled the ball into the net at the near post. Another 6 minutes and Morris latched onto a headed back pass to calmly slot the ball past Matt Martin in the Warley goal. The visitors were in total disarray but Town failed to convert further chances and Jay Hawthorn almost made them pay but he shot just wide of Paul Burn’s far post when put through on goal. Right on half time Buckham curled a shot just over the bar and Burn saved well from a header following a Warley corner. In the 2nd half both sides wilted in the heat, but Morris missed the chance of a hat trick heading a free kick just wide of the goal when left unmarked. New Players Reid, Morris and Mike Weston fitted well into the team well marshalled by captain Tom Betts. A good start but Town have to produce this kind of display every week if they are to win promotion to the Premier Division at the end of the season and playing on their new ground in the autumn. Saturday 22nd August 2009 West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Dudley United 1 Stafford Town 6 The Reds bounced back from their shattering defeat to Penncroft with a 4-0 win at rivals Riverway on Tuesday 18th with goals from Matt Buckham(2), Adam Seward and an own goal. They then travelled to Dudley United and after a difficult spell in the middle of the match routed the home side. In the 1st minute a Town player was tripped in the penalty area and Matt Buckham stepped up to score with a well taken spot kick. After 18 minutes Morgan Hurley netted his 1st goal for Town to double their lead, just a minute later Carl Morris blasted home number 3 to put the visitors in control. Surprisingly they then lost control of the midfield as the home side threatened to get back into the match by lofting high ball over the midfield behind Town’s defence and out to winger Andre Markland. Paul Burn did well to save a free kick from Michael Duncombe after 32 minutes but could not stop Michael Osbourne netting in the 38th minute after good work down the wing by Markland. At the start of the 2nd half Town were struggling to pass the ball until Glynn Evans was shown a 2nd yellow card for a foul and against 10 men the visitors scored 3 times in 3 minutes. Andy Kirkbride chipped the ball over Alan Kennedy after 72 minutes, just 60 seconds later Matt Buckham shot through Kennedy’s hands for number 5 and 2 minutes later last season’s leading scorer completed his hat trick and 5th goal in 2 games to complete the scoring. Manager Steve Dockerty was pleased with the way the team bounced back after a heavy defeat to pick up 6 points in 2 away games but Town will face much better opposition later in the season and will have to be more consistent if they are to win honours this season. Saturday 29th August 2009 West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Stafford Town 6 Sporting Khalsa 3 For the second week running Town scored 6 goals but their performance was very unconvincing against last season’s bottom side. In the 1st half the home side took a 2-0 lead with goals from Rhys Baker who blasted the ball into the net over the head of visiting keeper Jaswander Singh after 16 minutes and Ryan Fox who turned a low driven cross into the net in the last minute of the half. With the points apparently in the bag Town then hit the post in the 1st minute of the 2nd half but then they lost control of the game. In the 48th minute the defence was caught sleeping by a through ball and visiting striker Inderjit Rai who beat the advancing Paul Burn, 5 minutes later the visitors were level when Robert Douras hit the post and the ball fell to Rai who scored with a tap in. The Reds were now shaken into action and a shot by Matt Buckham was saved by Jaswander Singh and Bakers follow up shot was deflected wide of the goal for a corner. In the 62nd minute a good run by Buckham and pass to Baker saw Town regain the lead as Baker scored his 2nd goal of the game. A minute later Burn saved from Rai at the expense of a corner. After 65 minutes Mark Jones missed a cross into Town’s penalty area and Rai completed his hat trick past the unprotected Burn. It was looking as if Town would throw away all 3 points as their defence struggled throughout the 2nd half. After 70 minutes Baker completed his hat trick to restore Town’s lead and it was the visitors turn to run out of steam. 5 minutes later Buckham scored when he dinked the ball over the keeper and 4 minutes from time substitute Oliver Gore scored his 1st goal for Town to wrap up the 3 points. Saturday 5th September 2009 West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Bilbrook 0 Stafford Town 4 The Reds travelled to last season’s League Runners Up who had made a good start to this season and after an even 1st half they comprehensively defeated their hosts. After a cagy opening spell as both side tested out the opposition Town won a free kick just outside the home penalty area after 15 minutes and Morgan Hurley’s shot hit the crossbar and the follow up shot was deflected wide. The visitors took the lead on 22 minutes when the home defenders blocked the original shot and Rhys Baker followed up to blast the ball past a crowd of players and into the net. The home side hit back and 3 minutes later headed a free kick just wide of Paul Burn’s goal. Paul Harris the forced a fine save from Burn who tipped the ball round the post a full stretch after 29 minutes. 5 minutes before half time Harris got free in Town’s penalty area but his header hit the bar with Burn beaten. In the 2nd half as the home side pushed more and more players forward without really threatening to score, Town began to create chances on the break after several good moves broke down they doubled their advantage after 73 minutes, a great build up involving half of Town’s players Baker scored again and the home side began to fade, 6 minutes later Town won a free kick and Baker jumped in front of home keeper Paul Fryer and bravely headed the ball over the keepers hands and into the net to wrap up the points. A rare home attack ended with substitute Karl Rogers firing a free kick straight into Burn’s arms. In stoppage time Town substitute Oliver Gore passed to Baker who scored his 4th goal of the afternoon and his 7th in 2 games! This was a much better all-round performance from Town with Wayne Bailey outstanding in midfield and the defence playing well as a unit. Saturday 12th September 2009 West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Stafford Town 3 Wellington Amateurs 1 The Reds held onto top spot in the League Table with a hard fought victory over last season’s champions. Town put the visitors under early pressure and Oliver Gore’s 5th minute shot was well saved by keeper Steve Bray, a minute later Matt Buckham had a shot deflected wide. In a rare attack from Wellington Paul Burn saved well in the 10th minute when a visiting forward was put through on goal. After 12 minutes midfielder Adam Price fired a shot at goal but it went straight at Bray. Town took the lead on 15 minutes when Morgan Hurley ran through the visiting defence onto a chipped pass and fired the past Bray. The visitors responded like champions and levelled the scores 6 minutes later when Mark Adamczyk volleyed a cross into the far corner of the net. The home side responded well and pushed the visitors back on the defensive for much of the remainder of the half. After 23 minutes a Buckham free kick flew just over the cross bar and 10 minutes before half time a Hurley pass found Carl Morris in space but his 20 yard shot was tipped over the bar by Bray. Wellington came out in determined fashion in the 2nd half and pushed Town back on the defensive for long periods. On 57 minutes Burn tipped a goal bound shot over the bar and from the resultant corner the unmarked Bruce Harper headed wide of the goal, Town did not heed the warning and seconds later Burn saved well as Town’s defence did not pick up another visiting player who was presented with a free header. With Burn in outstanding form the home side battled to keep their goal intact as the visitors piled on the pressure as the half progressed. After several close calls Town broke out of defence in the 77th minute and Hurley ran through the visitors defence to blast the ball into the corner of the net to restore their advantage. Town’s superior fitness began to tell and as the visitors pushed more and more players forward the defence with captain Tom Betts and James Gilmour standing firm at the centre Town broke away and Hurley was denied his hat trick when Bray tipped his shot over the bar, 6 minutes into time added on Hurley ran down the left wing and crossed to the unmarked Buckham who drove his shot first time into the net from 20 yards to seal the 3 points. This was a huge victory for the home side as they battled for 90 minutes against very big opponents. They refused to be put off their game and even when under pressure played their way out of trouble. Credit must go to Assistant Manager Calvin Bailey and Coaches Derris Ewers and Mick Cox who have improved the all round team performance from last season under the guidance of Manager Steve Dockerty. They have now won their last 5 matches scoring 23 goals and conceding just 5.