By Liam Price, photo by Jonathan White
Nantwich v Stafford matches are always big, but the upcoming fixture on New Year’s Day (3pm kick-off) at the Swansway Stadium really is big given the recent form of both clubs.
Stafford struggles
The headline for Stafford is that they have lost 6 league games in a row, and haven’t won one since the end of October. It’s a staggering run of form for a club of their size and stature at this level after what was a good start to the season. Their win over the Dabbers at home on the August bank holiday weekend was their 4th league win in a row but they’ve only won 2 league games since.
It has been a tough run of opponents that have contributed to this recent run. Losses to Clitheroe, Chasetown, Avro, Vauxhall and Stalybridge have been in there, all teams towards the sharp end of the table. But that is where Stafford supporters would surely expect their side to be.
They are now 16th in the NPL West and only 3 points off the relegation zone but do have a goal difference advantage over those below them.
There’s no escaping that this is a match up of 2 of the most out of form sides in the league. Between them, the Dabbers and Stafford have lost 16 of their last 21 league games, add those together and that’s half a season of relegation form. So expect a tentative and nervy start as both teams try to build on their understandably low confidence levels.
Last Time We Met
It does feel a world away for both teams, who had decent August and Septembers, but it was Stafford who took the points in August with a 2-1 win at the Stan Robinson Stadium. and their start was anything but tentative that day as they scored in the first minute with their very first attack. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Jack Birch scored what turned out to be the winner that day and also recently scored against Atherton Collieries.
Former Dabber Jack Sherratt is expected to be in midfield for the Boro again. Another former Dabber in Dan Cockerline has been out injured since early December.
But Kaiman Anderson has hurt Nantwich before for Stafford with his goals and is still very much in the team.
Match Information
Tickets are available online HERE or on the gate.
Please note that there will be a minute’s silence before the game in memory of Keith Mottershead, a great player for both sides in the 1960s and 70s, who recently passed away. Read more on that HERE.
Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a lead.
Please be careful with parking and avoid parking on the road that leads into the housing estate next to the stadium as it causes bad traffic issues.