Source: This is Staffordshire
A TIRELESS display from Neville Thompson helped Stafford Rangers to a thrilling victory over promotion hopefuls FC United.
And although the targetman was not among the goals at Gigg Lane, manager Greg Clowes praised his efforts after naming Thompson as his sole striker to face the big-spending Mancunians.
On-loan Crewe forward Harry Clayton pulled out of the squad with a bout of tonsillitis leaving the Rangers boss with few options.
"When you are up there on your own it's difficult because you have to occupy two centre-halves but Neville did very, very well," Clowes admitted.
"But I will be working even harder this week to bring strikers in.
"We have made three offers for three players. Last week was a frustrating week and losing Harry Clayton did not help."
Peter Heler handed Stafford a 31st-minute lead with a well-taken goal that saw him latch on to Matthew Bell's perfect pass.
Defender Ryan Dicker doubled the lead with a clever back-heel just before the break, prompting more praise from the manager.
"As centre-halves go, Ryan Dicker is a lad who can play football and it was a lovely finish," added Clowes. "He's not one of those ugly central defenders."
United came more into the game after the break, but keeper Danny Read denied them on the hour when he kept out a Carlos Roca penalty.
Mike Norton finally netted from close range on 74 minutes but this proved just a consolation for the home side as they suffered their first home defeat since October.
NANTWICH Town are expecting their young striker Ben Mills to complete his move to Macclesfield Town this week.
A small initial fee has been agreed between the clubs for 22-year-old Mills, who is discussing personal terms with Macc manager Gary Simpson.
Nantwich boss Jimmy Quinn, who has recently spent extra time with Mills on the training ground, said: "It would be a great opportunity for the lad and great for the club because we are producing players for Football League clubs, but Ben has a lot of hard work to do."
Potteries-based Mills was left out of the Nantwich side that drew 1-1 with Mickleover Sports at the Weaver Stadium on Saturday, but Quinn said they would aim to replace him.
The player who took over from Mills up front, regular centre-back Mat Bailey, scored the goal that gave Nantwich the lead after 40 minutes but Mickleover levelled through Alex Steadman 10 minutes from time.
Nantwich had Darren Moss sent off early in the second half for a sliding tackle while Steadman also saw red for a second bookable offence.
Showing posts with label This is Staffordshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label This is Staffordshire. Show all posts
Monday, January 09, 2012
Friday, October 23, 2009
Football youngsters go solo
Source: This is Staffordshire
FOLLOWING in the footsteps of newly-born sides such as FC United of Manchester and AFC Wimbledon, a group of teenagers in Werrington have kick-started their own football club.
AFC Werrington made its inaugural bow in the North Staffs Junior Youth League under-15s division earlier this season after a group of school friends worked hard during the summer months to create the brand new side.
All 14 members of the squad attend Moorside High School on Cellarhead Road and came up with the idea to start their own football club during the summer break.
Joe Ratcliffe, aged 15, who was elected as captain by his team-mates, said: "It's good being in a team with all your mates.
"We used to watch football on television and were a bit fed up as we wanted to play.
"We have all played in teams before but this is better and we can play with our mates now."
Central midfielder Dylan Peers, aged 14, said: "For a while we were all talking about what it would be like to get a team together with your mates and start playing.
"It's really enjoyable because we know each other really well and you don't mind when your mates tell you what mistakes you are making."
The team's manager Craig Ratcliffe agreed to help run the side after being approached by son Joe.
Craig, aged 33, of Ash Bank Road, said: "It was during the summer holidays and Joe came in and asked me if I would manage a football team if him and his mates set one up.
"I told him I would, but he needed to do things like find a sponsor, get some kit, and find somewhere to play. Thirty minutes later he came back to me and said the sponsor was sorted."
The side haven't enjoyed the best of starts losing all of their first four games – 4-1, 14-1, 4-0 and 6-0.
Craig, a former trainee goalkeeper with both Crewe Alex and Stoke City, added: "I'm enjoying managing them and the lads seem to enjoy playing."
Joint owner of Bucknall-based coach firm Scragg's, Wayne Scragg, shelled out £500 to purchase full kits for the players.
Wayne, aged 40, whose 14-year-old son Thomas plays for the side, said: "I knew they wanted to get a side going so I told them if they could get it all sorted I would pay for it.
"The lads have done well to get it all sorted. It helps they are all from the same community and are friends anyway."
Mark Peers, aged 46, of Ash Bank, has assisted with the running of the side.
Mark, whose son Dylan plays for the team, said: "I think it's been good for the lads as it gives them something to do. All the parents are pitching in to help."
Werrington Parish Council member Nigel Meakin found the side a pitch on Meir Road in the village, along with securing a set of goalposts and organising lines to be painted on the plot.
He said: "We just want the youngsters round here to be enjoying themselves."
FOLLOWING in the footsteps of newly-born sides such as FC United of Manchester and AFC Wimbledon, a group of teenagers in Werrington have kick-started their own football club.
AFC Werrington made its inaugural bow in the North Staffs Junior Youth League under-15s division earlier this season after a group of school friends worked hard during the summer months to create the brand new side.
All 14 members of the squad attend Moorside High School on Cellarhead Road and came up with the idea to start their own football club during the summer break.
Joe Ratcliffe, aged 15, who was elected as captain by his team-mates, said: "It's good being in a team with all your mates.
"We used to watch football on television and were a bit fed up as we wanted to play.
"We have all played in teams before but this is better and we can play with our mates now."
Central midfielder Dylan Peers, aged 14, said: "For a while we were all talking about what it would be like to get a team together with your mates and start playing.
"It's really enjoyable because we know each other really well and you don't mind when your mates tell you what mistakes you are making."
The team's manager Craig Ratcliffe agreed to help run the side after being approached by son Joe.
Craig, aged 33, of Ash Bank Road, said: "It was during the summer holidays and Joe came in and asked me if I would manage a football team if him and his mates set one up.
"I told him I would, but he needed to do things like find a sponsor, get some kit, and find somewhere to play. Thirty minutes later he came back to me and said the sponsor was sorted."
The side haven't enjoyed the best of starts losing all of their first four games – 4-1, 14-1, 4-0 and 6-0.
Craig, a former trainee goalkeeper with both Crewe Alex and Stoke City, added: "I'm enjoying managing them and the lads seem to enjoy playing."
Joint owner of Bucknall-based coach firm Scragg's, Wayne Scragg, shelled out £500 to purchase full kits for the players.
Wayne, aged 40, whose 14-year-old son Thomas plays for the side, said: "I knew they wanted to get a side going so I told them if they could get it all sorted I would pay for it.
"The lads have done well to get it all sorted. It helps they are all from the same community and are friends anyway."
Mark Peers, aged 46, of Ash Bank, has assisted with the running of the side.
Mark, whose son Dylan plays for the team, said: "I think it's been good for the lads as it gives them something to do. All the parents are pitching in to help."
Werrington Parish Council member Nigel Meakin found the side a pitch on Meir Road in the village, along with securing a set of goalposts and organising lines to be painted on the plot.
He said: "We just want the youngsters round here to be enjoying themselves."
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Dabbers slump to defeat
Source: This is Staffordshire
Thursday, October 08, 2009, 08:40
FC United 4
Nantwich Town 0
NANTWICH Town missed a penalty for the second game running in crashing to a 4-0 defeat at FC United of Manchester last night.
Play was fast and furious from the start and Nantwich had the opportunity to strike the first blow after 15 minutes.
Dave Whittaker found Michael Lennon, who was brought down in the box. United keeper Ashton parried the spot-kick by Lennon, who clipped the bar with his second attempt.
Nantwich were to rue the miss as United took a two-goal lead into the interval.
A long clearance by Ashton led to Simon Carden racing into the area where he crossed to the far post for Phil Marsh to head past Lee Jones on 25 minutes.
Eight minutes later Marsh added his second when Nantwich again failed to deal with another downfield ball.
Jerome Wright went close to adding a third, but that honour went to Marsh, who completed his hat-trick on 63 minutes.
Nantwich's misery was completed six minutes from time when Jamie Mack scored United's fourth in front of a crowd of 1,650 for a game that was transferred from Bury to the Hyde United ground.
Thursday, October 08, 2009, 08:40
FC United 4
Nantwich Town 0
NANTWICH Town missed a penalty for the second game running in crashing to a 4-0 defeat at FC United of Manchester last night.
Play was fast and furious from the start and Nantwich had the opportunity to strike the first blow after 15 minutes.
Dave Whittaker found Michael Lennon, who was brought down in the box. United keeper Ashton parried the spot-kick by Lennon, who clipped the bar with his second attempt.
Nantwich were to rue the miss as United took a two-goal lead into the interval.
A long clearance by Ashton led to Simon Carden racing into the area where he crossed to the far post for Phil Marsh to head past Lee Jones on 25 minutes.
Eight minutes later Marsh added his second when Nantwich again failed to deal with another downfield ball.
Jerome Wright went close to adding a third, but that honour went to Marsh, who completed his hat-trick on 63 minutes.
Nantwich's misery was completed six minutes from time when Jamie Mack scored United's fourth in front of a crowd of 1,650 for a game that was transferred from Bury to the Hyde United ground.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Nantwich target McCarthy
Source: This is Staffordshire
Tuesday, October 06, 2009, 08:40
NANTWICH Town are hoping to sign former Kidsgrove winger Jimmy McCarthy in time for tomorrow's UniBond Premier Division game at FC United of Manchester.
Manager Peter Hall has served Warrington Town with official notice of approach to McCarthy and will be speaking to the player today.
McCarthy impressed Hall when he played up front for UniBond Division One North side Warrington against Nantwich in the FA Cup last month and scored the only goal of the game.
Hall said: "Jimmy has pace, great feet and is brave. He was a constant threat against us.
"I am hoping Warrington will cancel his registration so that he can train with us tonight."
Click here for more
Hall has already taken former Nantwich youth player Kelvin Mellor on loan from Crewe.
Darren Tinson (back strain) and Glynn Blackhurst (hamstring) may miss the United game, but striker Michael Lennon will be back.
LEEK Town defender Nick Ward will remain with Blues after being targeted by UniBond Division One rivals Kidsgrove.
Grove manager Peter Ward made an official approach to Ward, who also interested Newcastle Town earlier in the season after he had been dropped by Leek.
Ward has re-established himself in the Leek side and played his part in their 1-0 win at Kidsgrove last Saturday in the FA Trophy.
Leek's scheduled visit to Market Drayton in UniBond Division One South tonight has been postponed as the Shropshire side are involved in a Trophy replay, but KIDSGROVE are at home to Mickleover Sports.
Kidsgrove striker Dave Walker could continue his comeback from injury after playing for 50 minutes against Leek and they also have Tom Moss (groin) back in the frame.
Ward has added a new name to his squad in Dan Schwarz, twin brother of defender Tom, who has been playing for Mossley.
CONGLETON Town are likely to start with striker Andy Kinsey in their FA Vase replay against Cheadle Town at Booth Street.
Congleton will be at home to Shildon if they win, while in other second round ties on November 14, Biddulph Vics are at home to Gedling Town, Alsager Town travel to Whitley Bay, Stone Dominoes are away to Bootle and Newcastle Town visit either Loughborough University or Causeway.
NEWCASTLE Town defend their 100 per cent record in the Vodkat Premier Division away to Winsford tonight, with Karl Espley and Dan Skelton back in their squad, while ALSAGER TOWN are at home to Maine Road.
TONIGHT
FA Vase, first round replay: Congleton Town v Cheadle Town.
UniBond Division One South: Kidsgrove v Mickleover Sports
Vodkat Premier Division: Alsager Town v Maine Road, Winsford v Newcastle Town.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009, 08:40
NANTWICH Town are hoping to sign former Kidsgrove winger Jimmy McCarthy in time for tomorrow's UniBond Premier Division game at FC United of Manchester.
Manager Peter Hall has served Warrington Town with official notice of approach to McCarthy and will be speaking to the player today.
McCarthy impressed Hall when he played up front for UniBond Division One North side Warrington against Nantwich in the FA Cup last month and scored the only goal of the game.
Hall said: "Jimmy has pace, great feet and is brave. He was a constant threat against us.
"I am hoping Warrington will cancel his registration so that he can train with us tonight."
Click here for more
Hall has already taken former Nantwich youth player Kelvin Mellor on loan from Crewe.
Darren Tinson (back strain) and Glynn Blackhurst (hamstring) may miss the United game, but striker Michael Lennon will be back.
LEEK Town defender Nick Ward will remain with Blues after being targeted by UniBond Division One rivals Kidsgrove.
Grove manager Peter Ward made an official approach to Ward, who also interested Newcastle Town earlier in the season after he had been dropped by Leek.
Ward has re-established himself in the Leek side and played his part in their 1-0 win at Kidsgrove last Saturday in the FA Trophy.
Leek's scheduled visit to Market Drayton in UniBond Division One South tonight has been postponed as the Shropshire side are involved in a Trophy replay, but KIDSGROVE are at home to Mickleover Sports.
Kidsgrove striker Dave Walker could continue his comeback from injury after playing for 50 minutes against Leek and they also have Tom Moss (groin) back in the frame.
Ward has added a new name to his squad in Dan Schwarz, twin brother of defender Tom, who has been playing for Mossley.
CONGLETON Town are likely to start with striker Andy Kinsey in their FA Vase replay against Cheadle Town at Booth Street.
Congleton will be at home to Shildon if they win, while in other second round ties on November 14, Biddulph Vics are at home to Gedling Town, Alsager Town travel to Whitley Bay, Stone Dominoes are away to Bootle and Newcastle Town visit either Loughborough University or Causeway.
NEWCASTLE Town defend their 100 per cent record in the Vodkat Premier Division away to Winsford tonight, with Karl Espley and Dan Skelton back in their squad, while ALSAGER TOWN are at home to Maine Road.
TONIGHT
FA Vase, first round replay: Congleton Town v Cheadle Town.
UniBond Division One South: Kidsgrove v Mickleover Sports
Vodkat Premier Division: Alsager Town v Maine Road, Winsford v Newcastle Town.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Nantwich rewarded for battling display
Source: This is Staffordshire
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 08:39
UniBond League Premier Division
FC United of Manchester 0
Nantwich Town 0
NANTWICH returned from a sun-bathed Gigg Lane with a useful point from an enthralling encounter with FC United.
It was just reward for a hard-working display against the league's form side and keeps the Dabbers in the play-off zone with games in hand.
Click here!
Despite the lack of goals, the all-action clash provided excellent entertainment for a crowd of almost 3,000 fans.
Nantwich shaded a hustle and bustle first half, but the Rebels cranked up the ante after the break and the Dabbers had to work hard to ensure their share of the spoils.
Early on, Nantwich had looked the more threatening of the two sides.
Former Crewe Alex winger Rodney Jack led United right-back Adam Carden a merry dance with his pace and trickery and was a constant threat in the first period.
He also unleashed a sizzling drive that rasped over the bar.
Nantwich's best chances, however, fell to Dave Walker, who was sent clear inside the United box by Michael Lennon just after the half-hour. Rebels' keeper Sam Ashton needed to spead himself well to block Walker's shot.
Soon after, Walker muscled in to get a toe on to a long clearance, looping the ball over Ashton only to see it bounce just wide of the target.
United came out all guns blazing after the break. Nicky Platt carved out a chance for Simon Carden, who forced a quality save from Lee Jones.
A minute later, there was a let-off for the Dabbers when Platt's curling shot bounced back off the underside of the bar with Jones stranded.
Adam Tong narrowly headed over his own bar from Lennon's cross as Nantwich counter-attacked, but it was the home side who were now on top.
Phil Marsh clipped the ball just wide of the target from the edge of the area and Nantwich survived a major scare when Carden's corner pinged between a handful of players just yards from goal before being scrambled clear.
For the visitors, substitute Andy Kinsey almost netted with his first touch, but his header from Dave Tickle's corner was booted off the line.
Referee Jason Whiteley then waved away two shouts for penalties as firstly FC appealed the ball had hit Darren Tinson's arm inside the box and again when Tickle tangled with Marsh on the six-yard line.
But Nantwich's hard-working defence thwarted FC's late surge and, when fortune was needed, the underside of the bar came to the rescue for a second time to deflect Jamie Baguley's free-kick with minutes remaining.
FC United: Ashton, A.Carden, Garner, Platt, Tong, Nugent, Roca (Baguley, 79), S Carden (Neville, 83), Marsh, Wright, Moses (Chadwick, 67). Not used: Williams, Dieyte.
Nantwich: Jones, Beeston, Tickle, Tinson, O'Loughlin, Blackhurst (Parkinson, 79), Carter, MacPherson, Walker (Kinsey, 70), Lennon, Jack (Gibson, 83). Not used: Whittaker, Hawthorne.
Attendance: 2,840.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 08:39
UniBond League Premier Division
FC United of Manchester 0
Nantwich Town 0
NANTWICH returned from a sun-bathed Gigg Lane with a useful point from an enthralling encounter with FC United.
It was just reward for a hard-working display against the league's form side and keeps the Dabbers in the play-off zone with games in hand.
Click here!
Despite the lack of goals, the all-action clash provided excellent entertainment for a crowd of almost 3,000 fans.
Nantwich shaded a hustle and bustle first half, but the Rebels cranked up the ante after the break and the Dabbers had to work hard to ensure their share of the spoils.
Early on, Nantwich had looked the more threatening of the two sides.
Former Crewe Alex winger Rodney Jack led United right-back Adam Carden a merry dance with his pace and trickery and was a constant threat in the first period.
He also unleashed a sizzling drive that rasped over the bar.
Nantwich's best chances, however, fell to Dave Walker, who was sent clear inside the United box by Michael Lennon just after the half-hour. Rebels' keeper Sam Ashton needed to spead himself well to block Walker's shot.
Soon after, Walker muscled in to get a toe on to a long clearance, looping the ball over Ashton only to see it bounce just wide of the target.
United came out all guns blazing after the break. Nicky Platt carved out a chance for Simon Carden, who forced a quality save from Lee Jones.
A minute later, there was a let-off for the Dabbers when Platt's curling shot bounced back off the underside of the bar with Jones stranded.
Adam Tong narrowly headed over his own bar from Lennon's cross as Nantwich counter-attacked, but it was the home side who were now on top.
Phil Marsh clipped the ball just wide of the target from the edge of the area and Nantwich survived a major scare when Carden's corner pinged between a handful of players just yards from goal before being scrambled clear.
For the visitors, substitute Andy Kinsey almost netted with his first touch, but his header from Dave Tickle's corner was booted off the line.
Referee Jason Whiteley then waved away two shouts for penalties as firstly FC appealed the ball had hit Darren Tinson's arm inside the box and again when Tickle tangled with Marsh on the six-yard line.
But Nantwich's hard-working defence thwarted FC's late surge and, when fortune was needed, the underside of the bar came to the rescue for a second time to deflect Jamie Baguley's free-kick with minutes remaining.
FC United: Ashton, A.Carden, Garner, Platt, Tong, Nugent, Roca (Baguley, 79), S Carden (Neville, 83), Marsh, Wright, Moses (Chadwick, 67). Not used: Williams, Dieyte.
Nantwich: Jones, Beeston, Tickle, Tinson, O'Loughlin, Blackhurst (Parkinson, 79), Carter, MacPherson, Walker (Kinsey, 70), Lennon, Jack (Gibson, 83). Not used: Whittaker, Hawthorne.
Attendance: 2,840.
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