Nantwich Town 0 Stafford Rangers 0
Pre-Season Friendly
At: Hollinwood Road, Kidsgrove Athletic FC
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 150 (headcount)
Weather: rain
Stafford Rangers were forced to settle with a goalless draw against Nantwich, despite hitting the woodwork four times and having two goals disallowed for offside.
In a game switched to Kidsgrove Athletic because Nantwich's new Weaver Stadium wasn't quite finished, Stafford made a bright start and created several early chances.
A clearance by Town's keeper Mady Sidibe hit Pavol Suhaj and cannoned towards goal but a defender got back to calmly clear. In the next attack, Richard Sutton delivered a perfect cross into the area which Suhaj headed past Sidibe only to see the ball rebound off the left hand post. The tall Slovakian striker was equally unlucky within minute when again headed against the same upright. This time the ball rebounded to Kevin Street who saw a low drive deflected out for a corner. Ross Draper also fired over from fully 30 yards out as Stafford continued to look for an early breakthrough.
Skipper Andy Kinsey had Nantwich's first attempt on goal with a fiercely-stuck left foot shot from just outside the area which flashed narrowly wide.
Just after the quarter hour mark, Sidibe was again called into action to get down well to hold a low drive from the lively Street.
Midway through the half, Rangers managed to get the ball into the back of the Dabbers' net, only to be thwarted by a raised assistant referee's flag. Sidibe pulled off a fine save to deny Suhaj and Street forced the loose ball home.
Street turned provider to cross for Adaggio who headed over. Dillon also fired wide of the Nantwich goal from 25 yards out.
Robbie Duggan was called into action to hold a low drive from Gyorgy Kiss after good work by Kinsey, who also forced the Rangers keeper into a couple of useful saves.
It was Nantwich's turn to hit the woodwork five minutes before the interval. Kiss fired across the face of goal and saw the ball hit the far post.
Stafford were, for the third time, thwarted by a post on the hour mark. Badgio drove against the left-hand post with Gary Goodwin, on for Sidibe, beaten.
Goodwin prevented Rangers taking the lead with a couple of excellent saves. He got down to hold a close-range header from Craig McAughtrie and did well to tip a thunderous 30-yarder from Street onto the bar and over for a corner.
In between these two chances, Boro skipper Wayne Daniel came on for his first pre-season appearance as part of his continuing recovery from injury.
Late in the game with virtually all the Stafford side replaced by substitutes, Nantwich could have snatched the win. Glyn Blackhurst, once of Stafford, charged down the right and drilled a shot across the face of goal while Matt Freeman fired over.
Nantwich Town (green with white sleeves / green / green): 29. Sidibe; 2. Fitton, 4. R. Smith, 5. Glover, 7. Taylor; 11. Griggs, 8. Blackhurst, 6. Donnolly, 3. Kiss; 10. Bott, 9, Kinsley (capt).
Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 32. Duggan; 19. Ingram, 2. Richards, 4. McAughtrie (capt), 26. Sutton; 9. Dillon, 10. Manak, 16. Draper, 8. Street; 15. Adaggio, 24. Suhaj. Subs: 20. Jarrett (for Ingram, 52), 32. Alcock (for Duggan, 54), 29. Robinson (for Draper, 54), 5. Daniel (for McAughtrie, 69), Brown (for Dillon, 69), 3. Hopkinson (for Manak, 78), Linford (for Street, 78), 28. Oldfield (for Suhaj, 83), 25. Scott (for Badgio, 83).
Referee: Steve Pardoe (Crewe).
