By Liam Price, photo by Jonathan White
It’s another big challenge for the Dabbers, as they travel to local rivals Stafford Rangers on Saturday (3pm kick-off) who are in their best form of the season.
Stafford-ay night, I feel the air is getting hot
Despite the overall table, Stafford must surely go into this game as favourites after three straight wins that have lifted them out of the relegation zone. Those wins have come over Wythenshawe at home, and Runcorn then Kidsgrove away.
They have tried pretty much everything to get themselves out of the downward spiral they have found themselves in over the last year. Stafford have used 45 different players in all competitions this season, 11 more than Nantwich. Their chairman stepped down from his position this week. And they are now under the management of Neil Kitching and assistant Nick Amos, after Dale Belford joined Dave Cooke in leaving the club this season.
Kitching and Amos return to the Boro after a successful first spell between 2014 and 2018 that saw them get promoted to the NPL Premier, which will surely be the aim again eventually. They had a great record against the Dabbers too, winning 3 and drawing 1 of their 4 previous meetings with Nantwich. They won their first game at Kidsgrove, with the previous two wins coming under the caretaker management of Graham Deakin.
If there were betting markets on this game, then both teams to score would be a surefire win. Stafford have not kept a clean sheet for 11 games, and Nantwich haven’t for 12 games.
Last Time We Met
It was 3 points to the Dabbers in the home game against Stafford in October, as Kai Evans and Kelvin Mellor’s goals just 5 minutes apart gave Nantwich a 2-1 win. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Kaiman Anderson, formerly a Nantwich loanee in the 2017/18 season, has since scored 3 times against the Dabbers for Stafford, including in that reverse game. He has 4 for the season.
The Boro’s top scorer is John Atherton with 7 in all competitions, however he hasn’t featured in their last 2 matchday squads.
Dan Cockerline has also scored against the Dabbers for Stafford and has 6 this season.
Zidan Sutherland is one to watch with 4 goals in 6 games since making his debut on New Year’s Day.
Match Information
Tickets are available online or on the gate, priced at £13 for adults, £8 for concessions and £4 for under 16s. The online tickets are available HERE, where there is a specific section for away fans to buy tickets from.
In case you haven’t been before, exit the M6 at Junction 14 to best get to the stadium by road (postcode ST16 3UF). It is doable on public transport, trains direct from Crewe to Stafford station are pretty regular and it is then about a half hour walk from the station to the stadium, or you can get the 101 bus which cuts the time down.