I have consulted our resident “statto” and this will be the first ever competitive game away to Brocton, so for many this will be a first visit, and hopefully coincide with a moral lifting win. We have before in competitive action before with Brocton when they came to us on April 23rd, 2013 in a Walsall Senior Cup semi-final. The crowd that night witnessed a right ding dong battle which finished 4-3 in our favour, but for most of the game you would have put money om a Brocton win. That season we went on to the Bescot stadium to beat a Walsall XI and lift the Walsall Senior Cup.

The usual reaction to a Walsall Senior Cup fixture, is to play the fringe players. However, with our current injury situation it appears we must play with what we have, which puts added pressure on players who would value a rest in view of our current league form. While we languish at the foot of the table at step 3, Brocton currently lie third in the step 6 Midland League but have won all 6 of their home league games, so expect a tough game for us.

Please go along to Silkmore Lane to establish a good gate, with revenue to one of our local sides and who knows, the fireworks may explode on the night for a much-needed win.

Games played on November 5th this century

2005 Droylsden A 1-2 Conference North
2011 Chester A 0-2 F A Trophy 2nd qualifying round
2013 Marine A 2-5 Northern Premier League
2016 Warrington H 2-2 Northern Premier League

 Twelve games into the season and already fans are looking at this fixture as a 6 pointer. You can see the reason why as Bamber Bridge and Rangers are both in the bottom group with 9 points, although we do have 2 games in hand. While we finally got our first three points at Stalybridge Bamber Bridge appear to have a mid-table home record. They have played 6 league games at home, winning 2, drawing 2 and losing 2. And scoring 11 and conceding 10. Their 2 wins were over Atherton and Ashton, 2 draws with Nantwich and Witton and 2 defeats to Scarborough and Basford. One important statistic to be aware of, is that Bamber Bridge games go the distance. Scarborough and Basford both scored winning goals in the 90th minute, while goals in the last minute secured a draw with Witton and the win over Ashton.

We must put cup football behind us for the time being as gaining points is now the prime objective. Therefore, your support is much needed to encourage the team to a win. We certainly do not want a repeat of this fixture from last season when we were well beaten 6-1 when Alistair Waddecar tore us to shreds and Andy Howarth managed a goal for them. This season Waddecar is still scoring goals and has had a contract extension. A goal from Andy Howarth for us would not go amiss. Bamber Bridge in attempting to fight off relegation have delved into the loan market and currently have two players on loan from Chester, and one from Fleetwood. Bamber Bridge’s crowds average 301, but If you take out the 430 gate, swelled by the Scarborough fans, then their average is 276. That therefore must be an incentive to take a large away following.

While we have a free midweek, to get some injured players back in the frame and plan tactics, Bamber Bridge will play their F A Trophy game away at Nantwich, rescheduled for Tuesday night following Saturday’s postponement. Clutching at straws here, but it may have an influence on Saturday’s game.

For those going by car the post code of the Sir Tom Finney Stadium is PR9 6UU. The ground is located just 3 minutes from junction 1 of the M65, but please note that there is limited parking at the ground but on street parking is available on the residential streets near the ground. (Please consider our neighbours and park carefully.) For the rail travellers, Bamber Bridge station is a 15-minute walk away and the line goes right past the ground for you train spotters out there. The service from Stafford to Preston takes about 1 hour 15 minutes with a change at Crewe and for Bamber Bridge the trains are only one per hour leaving Preston for Colne at 57 minutes past the hour for a nine-minute journey to Bamber Bridge.

Games played on November 2nd this century

2002 Tiverton                   H            2-1 Southern Premier League
2013 Skelmersdale          H            0-2 Northern Premier League

We take a break from league action next Saturday to concentrate on the FA Trophy and make the short journey to step 4 side Sutton Coldfield. It has been a long time since we have had a good Trophy run, a competition that saw us make three Wembley visits in the 70’s. Perhaps the current squad can make up for FA Cup disappointment by having a long run in this competition. Like the FA Cup, the Trophy Is sponsored. Buildbase sponsorship means that money is available to successful teams. A win next Saturday sees us pick up£2450 with the losers picking up £800.

 Sutton Coldfield currently play in the Northern Premier League division 1 (South East) and while they lie one place off the bottom, they do have many games in hand on the sides around them as they have played more cup ties than league games. Their home league form shows a win and two defeats. The win came over bottom club Market Drayton with defeats to Spalding and Cleethorpes. They have however, had some good form in the FA Cup. Having disposed of Gresley they beat step 3 Ridditch with a 3-1 away replay win and then defeated step 2 Kettering in a home replay before bowing out to step 2 Boston United by only 1-0 at home. Sutton beat Yaxley at home in the previous round to set up this meeting. Sutton have shown that they have the giant killing bug firmly on their side and we cannot take this tie for granted due to the gap in leagues. 

I preparing for this game I am sure we will have them watched as on Tuesday they have a home Birmingham Senior Cup fixture with Tividale, and I sure we will have learned a lot from their game last Saturday in which they drew 4-4 away at Loughborough. Lougborough scored within 35 seconds, but Sutton replied with 2 goals from Reece Gibson. The game was level at half time, but Loughborough went into the lead in the second half. Isai Marsella then scored twice for Sutton before Loughborough levelled to finish 4-4. Obviously, Sutton score but they also concede. Should make for an interesting fixture.

 For those travelling by car please be aware of parking restriction at Coles Lane as parking arrangements are limited the main gates to the ground will be closed 45 minutes prior to kick off and reopened 15 minutes after the final whistle. The only people entitled to park in the ground are: –
Players, coaching staff & officials from both sides, match officials, named guests from both sides and home season ticket holders. All other spectators must park locally and enter the ground via the 3 turnstiles.

Games played on 26th October this century.

2002 Ilkeston A 5-0 F A Trophy
2013 Witton A 0-5 Northern Premier League

One other interesting fact is that 26th October 2006 our Youth Team travelled to Sutton Coldfield in the FA Youth Cup, but we lost 0-4

The second round of the Staffs Senior Cup is to be played the week commencing 2nd December.

Stone Old Alleynians V Stafford Rangers