Stafford Rangers Res 1 Kettering Town Res 1

Wednesday 23rd November 2005
Stafford Rangers Reserves 1 Kettering Town Reserves 1
Central Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: free teamsheet
Attendance: 96
Weather: cold, dry
Duration (45): first-half: 42:05; second-half: 47:38

The presence of recently-appointed Kettering Town manager Paul Gascoigne at Marston Road resulted in double the attendance the reserves usually attract.

Stafford Rangers got the game underway attacking the Town End in the first half with captain Robin Gibson wearing the ‘17’ shirt rather than the ‘7’. They dominated the first half in terms of chances and possession and Dave Walker had a couple of decent scoring opportunities. He headed wide a cross from Alex Gibbons after good work by Jamie Phoenix and also forced Kettering’s goalkeeper Craig Patterson into a fiving save.

While Kettering were more livelier after the break, Stafford continued to threaten and Patterson turned round a well-strick 20-yard free-kick hit by Levi Reid.

Despite of their pressure, Stafford couldn’t find the net and it was Kettering who opened the scoring in the 73rd minute. A slip by Levi Reid allowed Michael McKenzie to get clear past the tackle of Jemiah Richards and beat Matt Sargeant from 15 yards out.

Sargeant produced a flying save to hold a shot from Matt Peacock as the visitors almost doubled their lead in the 87th minute.

Stafford kept in touch and Gibson saw a shot from Walker’s cross headed clear from in front of goal by Stuart McClosty.

Eventually, Stafford equalised in the second minute of stoppage time when Substitute Richie Miller crossed from the left which Patterson dropped the ball into the net.

Stafford Rangers Reserves (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Matt Sargeant, 2. Alex Gibson, 3. Matt Skinner, 4. Levi Reid, 5. Jemiah Richards, 6. Liam Murray, 17. Robin Gibson (capt), 8. Alex Gibbons, 9. Ross Clarke, 10. Dave Walker, 11. Jamie Phoenix. Subs: 12. Andre Francis (for Reid, 82), 14. Courtney Shaw (for Clarke, 57), 15. Richard Miller (for Phoenix, 66), 16. Byron Benton (not used), 17. Dan Holgate (not used).

Kettering Town Reserves (red/red/red): 1. Craig Patterson, 2. David Blake, 3. Don Thompson, 4. Kevin Dixon (capt), 5. Mark Njotsa, 6. Craig Attwood, 7. Michael McKenzie, 8. Joe Cooper, 9. Steven Slade, 10. Chris Difante, 11. Ryan Zico-Black. Subs: 12. Ibrahim Kevegyir (not used), 14. Tom Ingram (for Slade, 61), 15. Matt Peacock (for McKenzie, 82), 16. Stuart McClosty (for Njosta, ht).

Referee: Terry Holbrook (Wolverhampton).
Assistants: Glyn Thomas (Walsall) and Adam Mullins (Rugeley).

Goals:
0-1 Michael McKenzie (73)
1-1 Richard Miller (90+2)

Cards:
Stafford: none
Kettering: none