Looking over Boxing Day games this century the fixture planners appear to give us more festive home ties. This means we do not have to venture too far having indulged on Turkey and chocolates.

So, what is in store this Boxing Day. Nantwich venture down the A51 arriving as the League Leaders with an impressive record of 6 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats on the road. Impressive victories include Hyde, Scarborough, while their only defeats came in the same week at Witton and South Shields.

They will therefore arrive in a good frame of mind looking to increase their lead at the top. We, however, will be looking for a good home win to build on our last home game with Hednesford, and to hopefully see our fortunes chance as we enter the new year. You often find that holiday fixtures can throw up strange results, so let us see if we can get one over the side in first place.

Both goalkeepers in the game will be loanees as Nantwich have extended the loan deal of Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen for a further month. They also include in their squad, Callum Saunders, the son of Dean Saunders who was unable to shine for us in pre-season.

Being a holiday fixture, we are hopeful of a big attendance, building on the 600+ for the Hednesford game. The gate will be swelled by a strong contingent from Nantwich, so we need our fans out in force to again use the new Shed End as the 12th man. Obviously due to travel issues on Boxing Day the fixture planners try to give out local derby games, but this was not the case in the mid-seventies. Apart from the other local holiday games we were paired with Wigan for our Boxing Day and New Years day fixtures. One year the away game at Wigan on Boxing Day and the home game on New Years Day saw both games attract over 6000 fans. Oh, for a repeat of that.

As we almost always play a game on Boxing Day, my feature of games played on this date this century is rather larger than normal.

Games played on 26th December this century

2000       Burton Albion    A             0-0          Southern League

2001       Postponed

2002       Halesowen         H             4-2          Southern League

2003       Hednesford        H             1-1          Southern League             

2004       Altrincham          H             0-1          Conference North

2005       Worcester           H             1-1          Conference North

2006       Kidderminster   H             1-2          Conference

2007       Burton Albion    H             0-3          Conference

2008       Telford                 H             1-3          Conference North

2009       Telford                 A             1-2          Conference North

2010       No game

2011       Nantwich             A             0-2          Northern Premier League

2012       Hednesford        H             0-1          Northern Premier League

2013       Nantwich             A             1-4          Northern Premier League

2014       Chasetown         A             2-0          Northern Prem Div 1 South

2015       Chasetown         H             2-1          Northern Prem Div 1 South

2016       Hednesford        H             2-1          Northern Premier League

2017       Stourbridge        H             1-0          Northern Premier League

It’s Derbyshire for our next two away fixtures, but before we go to Mickleover on New Years Day we head off to Matlock this Saturday.

Considering a poor start to the season Matlock have a very impressive home record, but that is in the main to the appointment of manager Dave Fecklington in October, who has turned around the fortunes of the club. They have 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their home league games to date, which include a 7-0 thrashing of Grantham.

The last Saturday before Christmas is known to bring about low attendances as Christmas shopping takes a stronghold, so we can be grateful that this day sees us playing away. However, if we are to build on our good win over Hednesford, we could have hoped for a better run of fixtures we will encounter. Remember leaders Nantwich visit us on Boxing Day. I am sure Steve will get the team up for the game and see if we can emulate South Shields and Whitby as the only sides to go away from Causeway Lane with 3 points.

Since our return to the NPL a couple of years ago we have not fared well at Matlock, losing 3-0 and 2-0. However, in the early days of the NPL this was a regular fixture, with Matlock having the brothers Fenoughty, with Nick Fenoughty later playing for Rangers. Who remembers the FA Trophy run of 1978/79, which culminated with our 2-0 win over Kettering at Wembley. In round 1 we drew 1-1 at home to Matlock with Matlock securing a late equaliser and replay at Causeway Lane was repeatedly postponed due to frozen pitch. When eventually played (Rangers won 2-1) the perimeter of the pitch was a three-foot-high bank of snow that had been cleared off the pitch.

For those traveling by car on Saturday please note that there is very limited car parking at Matlock and you cannot park on the street (Causeway Lane) outside of the ground. The best place to park is the car park near to the railway station which is a few minutes’ walk away. If you travel by train, then you need to leave Stafford at 11:03 changing at Stoke and Derby to arrive at Matlock at 13:26. Return from Matlock at 17:37 with changes at Derby and Tamworth to arrive home at 19:36. Return fare is £24.40 for an adult and advance booking and railcards may get that reduced.

Games played on 22nd December this century.

2007 York City H 0-2 Setanta Shield round 4 (Conference League Cup)
The only other game that comes close is 22/12/01 when our Southern League home game with Newport County was postponed. We won 2-1 when eventually played on 19/02/02

Matlock Website HERE

The Staffs Senior Cup Draw – Quarter Final Draw ties to be played the week commencing 4th February.

Stafford Rangers Vs Wolverhampton Casuals or Abbey Huton UTD