Stafford Town FC 3 vs 2 Smethwick Rangers

The boys in red found themselves behind after just 14 seconds which must surely be a record, albeit not one we want to hold.

That said after Saturdays confidence sapping annihilation at the hands of Darlaston the Town lads showed a grit and determination to grind something out of this contest to their credit.

Three new faces in the form of Callum Cottee, Shiekh Barrow and Nasir Ahmed injected some pace into the Town side. Barrow was a constant threat showing great feet and asking questions of the visitors each time he drove forward.

16 year old Cottee had actually come on for Darlaston as a second half sub against Town just three days prior and conversations with manager Dean Gill concluded with the lad coming over for some first team experience. His energetic display was rewarded with his first senior goal being in the right place to tap in a rebound from a fierce Nathan Scott drive.

This came after Josh Wilson had levelled the scores on the quarter hour mark with a direct free kick from circa 25 yards out. He sent the ball bending up and over the wall and into the top left corner out of reach of the keepers outstretched right arm.

The age defying joint manager Dom Heath was on the end of a delicious Kaz Danilian cross to provide a two goal cushion but the visitors weren’t for going quietly. With 15 minutes remaining a sublime dipping shot come lob again found the top corner and made for a nervy final 15 mins.

The hosts held on however for a much needed morale boosting victory.

Match highlights can be found here.

https://youtu.be/MZPl-MXyWSI