Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: press pass; Programme: £2 (44 pages)
Mileage: 8.1 miles
Weather: cold, dry
Attendance: 544
Duration: first-half: 47:16; second-half: 48:00
Unlike my two unsuccessful attempts to watch a game at Marston Road last month, everything went according to plan for the Stafford Rangers’ first home game of 2011. Everything that is expect the scoreline which left manager Tim Flowers still searching for his first league win in charge of The Boro’. Alfreton’s winner came in the 53rd minute through Liam Hearn though by this time they had been reduced to ten men. Anthony Howell had been shown a 32nd-minute straight red card shown for a dangerous challenge on Jermaine Johnson. Stafford striker Ben Mills was guilty of a couple of bad misses – one in each half – which could have earned his side a point. This was only my second Stafford game since I ceased being a member of the Rangers press in April 2008.Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Robert Ambrusics, 2. Martyn Naylor, 3. Mark Dudley, 4. Andre Francis, 5. Craig McAughtrie (capt), 6. Jermaine Johnson, 7. Levi Reid, 8. Sean Kinsella, 9. Ben Mills, 10. Danny Campbell, 11. Tyree Clarke. Subs: 12. Seb Harris (for Mills, 83), 14 Alex Forde (not used), 15. Chris Sterling (for Francis, 79), 16. Malvin Kamara (for Campbell, 60), 17gk. Lee Evans (not used).
Alfreton Town (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Paddy Gamble, 2. Josh Law, 3. Connor Franklin, 4. Aden Flint (capt), 5. Paul Lister, 6. Laurie Wilson, 7. Jordan Hall, 8. Anthony Howell, 9. Anthony Wilson, 10. Liam Hearn, 11. Ian Ross. Subs: 12. Christopher Hall (not used), 14. Darren Stride (for Hearn, 81), 15. Jake Moult (for Ross, 77), 16. Nathan Arnold (not used), 17. Paul Clayton (for Wilson, 74).
Referee: Peter Davies (Altrincham).
Assistants: Roger Andrew (Stockport) and Ian Hurdle (Holmes Chapel).
Goals:
0-1 Liam Hearn (53)
Cards:
Stafford: Martyn Naylor (YC, 88)
Alfreton: Laurie Wilson (YC, 28), Anthony Howell (RC, 32)
