Stafford Town followed up their 2-0 victory over Stafford Rangers with another fine performance, overcoming a solid Wellington Amateurs side 3-0 at School Grove. The Ams will surely be pushing for promotion from West Midlands Division 1 this season but Stafford contained any threat through complete control of possession, whilst the pace of Nathan Scott and Josh Oultram stretched the Ams defence to breaking point. Stafford began on the front foot, having the majority of the ball and preventing Ams from settling into the game, the backline of Matt Dudley, Henry Smith, Charlie Swingwood and Harry Bowers having little to do defensively. Summer signing Callum White was also impressing in midfield, aggressively breaking up the Ams play and initiating Stafford attacks. Josh Wilson Jr curled a free kick wide in the second minute and ‘Kaz’ Danililan was deined a penalty five minutes later after a quick Stafford break. Scott then drove into the box and fired over, with Oultram doing likewise shortly after. Stafford took the lead in the 16th minute, more good Stafford possession ending with a through ball by Danilian that perhaps should have been cut out but it reached Scott in the box and he slipped the ball through the legs of the Ams ‘keeper. Oultram and Scott then both had chances, Oultam shooting wide after a driving run and Scott denied by a good save at close range. The first real chance of note for Ams came in the 33rd minute, a header following a cross from the right that was comfortably saved by Joe Williams. Oultram almost scored with a looping ball into the area in the 36th minute before Ams shot over two minutes later. Ryan Taylor went close with five minutes left in the half, his powerful curling effort from distance going just wide after a superb Stafford break. Stafford were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the half, Danilian’s trickery in the box saw him fouled and although he stayed on his feet, the referee pointed to the spot. Following protests at the decision by Ams, one of their number was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes, which would continue into the second half, before Bowers dispatched the penalty in his usual style to double the lead for Stafford going into the break. HT 2-0 Stafford Town. Stafford looked to get everyone more pre-season minutes and introduced Josh Wilson Sr, Ben Wood and Sean Kinsella for the second half, replacing Taylor, Danilian and Wilson Jr respectively. Stafford made it 3-0 in the 51st minute, Scott turning in midfield and driving at the Ams defence before slipping the ball through to Oultram to smash the ball home for his first goal since returning from his long term injury, much to the delight of the Stafford contingent. Stafford’s focus now switched to game management and consequently there were fewer chances than in the first half, although Stafford continued to enjoy good possession. Scott shot wildly over from distance in the 68th minute as Ams dug in and continued to battle until the end. Ams had a free kick that was directly at Williams in the 82nd minute followed by another shot wide a few minutes later. As full time approached an excellent diagonal ball by Kinsella to Wood led to a low cross that was just cut out before being finished at the back post. FT 3-0 Stafford Town. Midland Premier League outfit Lye Town are the visitors to Evans Park on Saturday 9th July, in what promises to be the sternest test of Stafford’s pedigree so far, followed by the visit of North West Counties Division 1 North side Chadderton on Saturday 16th July (early 2pm kick-off).
Best of the action is here on Stafford Town TV:
https://youtu.be/uFFiHVNjpD8
