Pre-season Friendly
At: Lyme Valley Stadium
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 143
Weather: very hot and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:00; second-half: 45:40
We spend the morning in Rugeley running the Sport Relief Mile before I set off up the A34 for Stafford Rangers' second pre-season friendly.
The Newcastle players gave Stafford a guard of honour to acknowledge the visitors' promotion into the Nationwide Conference.
Stafford's starting line-up again had a familiar look with just three changes from Rocester. Jemiah Richards, Simon Osborn and Dave Walker came into the side with former Port Vale defender Stephen Rowland continuing at right full-back.
In very hot and sunny conditions, Stafford got the game underway attacking the north/entrance end in the first half.
Stafford almost took the lead on 18 minutes. Simon Osborn’s corner was met by the Neil Grayson who saw a header rebound off the bar.
Eventually, Stafford turned their superiority into a goal in the 26th minute. Robin Gibson went down inside the area and Grayson gave Town’s Richard Froggatt no chance from the penalty spot.
Certainly in the thick of the action, the 41-year-old striker was denied again by the woodwork after combining with Nathan Talbott.
Rangers extended their lead in the 31st minute. Found in space on the left side of the area, Street sent a spectacular angled drive across the face of goal and into the opposite side of the net.
Talbott should have made it three just before the interval. Put clear by Osborn, he blasted high over the bar with just Froggatt to beat.
Newcastle’s first-half chances were limited with unmarked John Powell heading the best straight at Dean Williams.
The weather and substitutions had an impact on the second half which began with Froggatt comfortably saving from both Grayson and Talbott.
Boro’s Danny Alcock was the busier keeper after the restart. The former Accrington stopper pulled off a couple of good saves to deny Rosalind Martins and ex-Boro midfielder David Berks, who both caused problems all afternoon.
Newcastle Town (yellow / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Richard Froggatt, 2. Dean Gillick (capt), 3. Lee Duckworth, 4. Kevin Jones, 5. John Powell, 6. David Berks, 7. Paul Tortoishell, 8. Danny Hughes, 9. Nick Wellecombe, 10. Rosalind Martins, 11. Andy Bostock. Subs: 12. John Diskin (for Powell, ht), 14. Lee Talbot (for Bostock, ht), 15. Adam Vickers (for Gillick, ht), 16. Tom Fogg (for Duckworth, ht), 17. Anthony Buckle (used?), 20gk. Scott Bentley (for Froggatt, 57), 2. Trialist (for Tortoishell, 74), 3. Trialist (for Fogg, 77).
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Steve Rowland, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Jemiah Richards, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Simon Osborn, 7. Lee Downes, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Neil Grayson, 10. Dave Walker, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 17gk. Danny Alcock (for Williams, ht), 17. Levi Reid (for Osborn, ht), 16. Pat Bannister (for Walker, ht), 15. Dolapo Olaoye (for Grayson, 58), 4. Ed Booth (for Richards, 69), 14. David Oldfield (for Street, 71), 4. Jemiah Richards (returned for Daniel, 78), 12. Danny Whittaker (for Gibson, 78), Alex Gibson (not used), Robinson (not used).
Referee: Lee Tavinder (Cheddleton).
Assistants: A Yates and S Bennett.
Goals:
0-1 Neil Grayson (26 pen)
0-2 Kevin Street (31)
