DIFFICULT RUN CONTINUES AS NORTH STAFFORD SUFFER NARROW DEFEAT
NORTH Stafford Men’s first lost 1-0 at home to Bournville in Midlands One, which leaves them near the foot of the table. A closely-fought affair was settled by a somewhat scrappy goal as North Stafford defended well, but lacked the penetration to breach the Bournville defence. Captain Ollie Adams showed his usual determination in midfield, while a young defence effectively kept their opponents at bay for most of a tight encounter.
The loss continued North Stafford’s disappointing run of form.
They now face a crucial trip to fellow strugglers Warwick this weekend as they look to revive their fortunes.
North Stafford Ladies firsts recorded their third straight victory with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Leek seconds. Two goals from Tracy Crump and a third from Kate Lewis helped the side to victory over their nearby rivals.
The success has been built on a strong defensive platform, with Keira Willott keeping five consecutive clean sheets for the side that have only conceded once all season.
The Ladies now sit fourth in Midlands Division Three North West, but have a game in hand on the top three sides.
The Ladies seconds maintained their 100 per cent winning start to the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Tamworth seconds.
Influential captain Jo Royall scored the only goal of the game, while Isabella Moore kept her fifth clean sheet of the season, helped by a defence marshalled expertly by the experience of Fiona Clements.
After an excellent win away at Leek last weekend, North Stafford Men’s seconds suffered a disappointing defeat on their travels to Beacon thirds.
On a windy afternoon at Aston University, the hosts proved the stronger side and claimed a deserved three points.
North Stafford took the lead against the run of play as Kavan Nijjer deflected home from Dave Washington’s ball into the D. Beacon soon struck back after a defensive mix up, and a finely work second goal gave them the lead at the break.
North Stafford excellently defended a series of short corners in the early second half, but Beacon’s pressure told as they added a third.
The visitors rallied in the last 15 minutes, Jamie Shaw and Will Steele both posing a threat with their ball carrying ability. Captain Dave Washington pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to go, calmly slotting home into the bottom corner from seven yards out, but North Stafford were unable to find an equaliser to claim a point.