Central Conference
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: free teamsheet
Attendance: 46
Weather: dry
Duration (40 mins): first-half 41:22; second-half: 43:53
Nuneaton got the game underway attacking the Town End in the first half but Stafford immediately won a corner. Dale Huddlestone, in goal for the visitors, was called into action to block a near-post shot by Oliver Pritchard who had latched onto a pass from Lee Scott.
It was Nuneaton, however, who took an early lead in the 4th minute when Craig Howe hit a 20-yard volley past Danny Alcock.
Alcock produced a good save to keep out a shot with his boot from Eddie Nisevic as the visitors looked to extend their lead and also produced a double save to deny Levi Ramsay.
Stafford got back on level terms in the 19th minute. Scott exchanged a one-two with Steve Bibby to split open the Nuneaton defence and slotted home from 10 yards out. In the next attack, Kevin Street ended a surging run into the area with a low shot which Huddlestone kept out with his legs.
Chances continued to be created and Alcock held Danny Edmond's near post volley at the second attempt. Just after the half hour Tom Muldoon's long throw into the Stafford area led to a near post shot by Edmond which missed the target.
The referee played just over 41 minutes in the first half so I assumed that just 40 minutes each way were being played.
Stafford made a change in the 45th minute, five minutes after the restart as Rob Haynes replaced Russell.
The goal that prove dto be the winner came in the 49th minute. Alex Gibson curled a free-kick around the wall straight into the bottom-right corner. Two minutes later, Tom Evans replaced Bibby.
Chances became scare until Nuneaton had a late opportunity to snatch a draw. Muldoon broke down the right into the area and squared a pass to Ramsay who fired over with just Alcock to beat.
A total of 43 minutes and 53 seconds were played in the second half before the final whistle brought first-team and reserve football to end at Marston Road for another season. There was just Sunday's charity game to come for which I am going to be one of the assistant referees.
Stafford Rangers Reserves (red/red/red): 1. Danny Alcock, 2. Alex Gibson (capt), 3. Joe Harratt, 4. Kevin Street, 5. Jemiah Richards, 6. Sean Russell, 7. Oliver Pritchard, 8. Steve Hopkinson, 9. Steve Bibby, 10. Lee Scott, 11. Joe Pickering. Subs: 12. Rob Haynes (for Russell, 45), 14. Tom Evans (for Bibby, 51), 15. Chris Curtis (not used), GK. Matt Sargeant (not used).
Nuneaton Borough Reserves (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Dale Huddlestone, 2. Aaron Stringfellow, 3. Ashley Franklin, 4. Craig Howe, 5. Ben Atkins, 6. Stefan McGrath, 7. Tom Muldoon, 8. Tom Maguire, 9. Levi Ramsay, 10. Danny Edmond, 11. Eddie Nisevic. Subs: -
Referee: T Holbrook.
Assistants: C Jeffries and R Faunch.
Goals:
0-1 Craig Howe (4)
1-1 Lee Scott (19)
2-1 Alex Gibson (49)
