The Dabbers travel to Stafford in the rearranged league game this Tuesday night (7.45pm kick-off).
The Boro Bulletin
Stafford’s changes are well known by now so it’s not worth raking through every bit of action on and off the pitch that had led many to have them as favourites for the NPL West title.
It’s important to note that the increased investment hasn’t just been in the playing squad. Dabbers fans can expect to see a new covered stand and toilets among ongoing changes to the Stan Robinson Stadium since the last time we visited.
In 6 out of the 8 games Stafford have played this season, they have kept a clean sheet. They have won 7 out of the 8, with scorelines of 5-0, 4-0, 3-0 twice and 2-0 twice in there. They have a juicy FA Cup tie at home to Hereford of the National League North to look forward to in the next round. The only reason they aren’t higher than 6th in the league is because of the cup runs.
The big blemish on the record was a shock 4-0 defeat at home to Shifnal Town. They had a man sent off but were already 3 goals down by that point. Shifnal’s spending has gone somewhat under the radar, especially compared to Stafford, but even so it looks totally out of character for what the Boro have been doing in every other game this season.
Last Time We Met
An extraordinary game in so many ways on New Year’s Day as the Dabbers thrashed Stafford 6-1 at the Swansway. Easy to forget in that game that it was actually Stafford who took the lead.
Extraordinary afterwards too as both managers left their jobs, Jon Moran having already decided to step down before this result and Neil Kitching because of it and after what had been a bad run of form. A lot has changed since then but one thing that won’t have is Stafford supporters’ desire for revenge.
Players to Watch
Jack Birch has 4 goals in the league including a hat trick agains Padiham.
Darrhyl Mason played a not insignificant part in getting Avro promoted last season and has a couple of goals to his name so far in the black and white of Stafford.
There are numerous other solid Step 4 names in their ranks in Bebeto Gomes, Wealth Dasilva, Ty Webster and Kyle Sambor to name a few.
And the excellent Tom Tonks has returned to the Stafford midfield. He gained some national attention as part of Tamworth’s great FA Cup run that was ended by Tottenham a couple of years ago, but real connoisseurs will remember his first spell with Stafford, characterised by his supreme long throws. In fact, Stafford used simply a photo of a towel as a teaser of his signing, in reference to the one he has one each touchline to dry the ball before launching another missile.
Match Information
It’s a nice position to be in to have the resources to actually cut ticket prices in the modern game, and to their credit that’s exactly what Stafford have done. Adult tickets are £10, concessions £7 and juniors £3. Buy them HERE or on the gate.