Match Preview: Stafford Rangers v Nantwich Town

It’s a local Christmas away trip for the Dabbers on Monday (3pm kick-off) as we travel to Stafford Rangers in another game where Nantwich must look to turn around the current form we find ourselves in. Let’s see what could happen in this one.

Sage and Onion Staff-ing

Stafford are in 10th in the PitchingIn Northern Premier, part of those clutch of teams lurking just outside the play-off spots, on 30 points from 21 games. They have 10 points from their last 6 games, compared to 1 from 6 from the Dabbers, but despite these promising numbers, they remarkably haven’t won a home league game since September, and with the Dabbers also being better away than at home, Dave Cooke’s men must surely try to press on any home nerves they may feel early on.

Rangers were stunned by two goals in 2 minutes in their last match at home to FC United leaving them to lose 2-0, but in the game before they secured an impressive 3-2 win over 2nd place Matlock, so once again it’s hard to know which version of this team will be on show against the Dabbers.

Last Time Out

It’ll be 2 years and a day since we last played each other by Monday, and that game was an unforgettable 2-1 Boxing Day 2019 win at the Optimum Pay Stadium. Jon Moran had put Stafford ahead on 66 minutes, but an avoidable second yellow card for the visitors gave the Dabbers the momentum, with Joel Stair heading in an equaliser on 90 minutes and Sean Cooke smashing in the winner in stoppage time. Highlights of that one are available below:

Players to Watch

All but one of Stafford’s last 6 goals have been scored by either Joe Cuff or Jake Charles, so those two forwards are the men in form, with Charles the man to watch on penalties if Stafford get one.

Match Information

Tickets are available online for this game by clicking here, and are priced at £10 for adults, £7 for concessions and students, and £3 for age 16 and under.