Stafford Town 2 Goodrich 3
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
At: Evans Park
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages)
Attendance: 65 (headcount)
Weather: cold and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:08; second-half: 49:00
I initially made my way to Staffordshire University’s Beaconside Sports Centre for the West Midlands League game between Riverway and Mahal, after being told the game was ‘on’. It was until 25 minutes before kick-off when the referee decided to postpone due to a so-called frozen pitch. When I phoned Stafford Town just after noon, the matchday secretary told me the ‘game was on at the moment’. He was right and Town featured three former Stafford Rangers players in Dave Woodvine, Matt Buckham and Paul McMahon. Both sides scored once during the first half and Goodrich regained the lead in the 62nd minute. Stafford had a central defender sent off for protesting the goal and, with ten men, got back on level terms, but poor defending allowed Goodrich to bag the winner. In the crowd were former Stafford Rangers striker Tony Eccleston, a few friends from Marston Road, and Facebook friend David Thomas who provided good company during the second half.Stafford Town (red/red/red): 1. Karl Smith, Mat Dockerty, 3. Scott Urquhart, 4. Josh Anderson, 5. Rob Tomlinson, 6. Tom Hiatt, 7. Oliver Parker, 8. Dave Woodvine (capt), 9. Gary Bearesley, 10. Sam Hollinsworth, 11. Matt Buckham. Subs: 12. Nathan Cooper (for Parker, 73), 14. Paul McMahon (for Hollinsworth, 66), 15. Phil Ellerby (not used), 16. Mark Johnson (for Urquhart, 83), 17. Andy Heal (not used).
Goodrich (white / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Daniel Ware, 2. Matthew Harris, 3. William Holt, 4. Stuart Skitt, 5. Chris Porter, 6. Darnell Francis, 7. Liam Bood, 8. Matt Rutter (capt), 9. Dan Westwood, 10. Michael Allen, 11. Adrian Jones. Subs: 12. Adam Morton (for Holt, 51), 14. Dan Chattwood (for Skitt, 80), 15. Levi Chambers (for Westwood, 66), 16. Alex Fletcher (not used).
Referee: Phil Reade.
Assistants: Tim Pearson and John Downs.
Goals:
0-1 Darnell Francis (12)
1-1 Gary Bearesley (22)
1-2 Michael Allen (62)
2-2 Matt Buckham (74)
2-3 Levi Chambers (77)
