Stafford Town will finally feel their 2022-2023 campaign is underway after a comfortable 4-0 midweek victory over Staffordshire rivals Rocester at Hillsfield, with goals from Josh Oultram, Charlie Swingwood and a brace from Nathan Scott. Stafford were rarely threatened in the game and had the majority of possession, although they will need to find an extra gear or two when they face stronger opposition. Conversely, Rocester appear set for a long, hard season at the wrong end of the table as they look for a new manager having lost both their opening league matches whilst also being eliminated from the Edward Case Cup at the hands of Foley Meir. The opening fifteen minutes saw Stafford totally dominate possession whilst Rocester consistently coughed up the ball cheaply, however with the exception of one cross that flashed across the Rocester goalmouth there was little in the way of chances. In the 21st minute a free kick by Josh Wilson Jr was headed over at close range by Oultram. Five minutes later, Rocester had a free kick of their own delivered into the Stafford box but no attacking player could turn the ball goalwards. The midfield was becoming a bit of a battle for Wilson, Ben Wood and Callum White as Rocester looked to block the middle of the pitch, with Stafford looking most likely to have success from wide positions. Oultram was cutting a frustrated figure upfront against his former club, perhaps guilty of trying too hard as he continues to try and recover his best form following his severe knee injury last season, although no-one would ever doubt his effort. A Stafford goal finally arrived in the 29th minute when a diagonal ball by Henry Smith released Scott behind the Rocester defence on the right and he drove into the box and finished low into the corner. In the 38th minute a long throw into the Rocester box from the right by Smith resulted in a shot by Swingwood that was blocked. The most meaningful attempt for the home side came in the final minute of the half as a shot from the edge of the box was pushed wide by Joe Williams in the Stafford goal. HT 1-0 Stafford Town. Stafford doubled the lead just five minutes into the second half; Ryan Taylor slipping the ball through for a driving Oultram on the left allowing him to cut inside and fire low into the corner. The result was no longer in doubt and Scott added to the Stafford tally in the 58th minute with his second goal of the match; a free kick into the box by Taylor was nodded down towards the penalty spot for Scott to smash home on the volley. It was now a case of damage limitation from the home side as Wood agonisingly hit the post for Stafford from the edge of the box after a cut back from the right in the 65th minute. Captain Swingwood was having a near perfect game at the back for Stafford, making an incredible recovery tackle to stop a rare Rocester attack. Another Stafford attack in the 68th minute saw Oultram fire a shot over the bar after he was played through by Scott, although he probably should have carried the ball further before shooting. In the 74th minute Swingwood got himself a goal to cap off his magnificent display, heading home a Harry Bowers corner at close range. Having made several substitutions and with the three points guaranteed, Stafford were perhaps guilty of dropping their level in the final ten minutes or so, allowing Rocester a couple of half chances; in particular a shot from the edge of the box that was curled wide and a corner to the backpost that ended in a shot that was saved. FT 4-0 Stafford Town. Stafford will be aiming for back-to-back wins as they take on Cheadle Town on Saturday 13th August at Evans Park before the visit of near neighbours Eccleshall a week later on Saturday 20th August.
