Kidsgrove match preview.
Kidsgrove stand in our way as we try to return to the Staffs Senior Cup final to keep a tighter grip on “our” trophy. However, let’s not be too complacent playing away to a side a division below as they will see the opportunity to put one over us. They are currently enjoying a good run of results, having had league victories over Leek and Runcorn Linnets who are 5th and 3rd respectively. They also demolished Newcastle 5-1 in the last round of this cup. To make matters worse, former Rangers players Chris Budrys and Anthony Malbon are banging in the goals, with Malbon fresh from his hat trick on Saturday against Droylsden making it 8 goals in his last 7 games. That recent run has steered them well away from any relegation threat and currently lie 11th in the west Division with 41 points from their 29 games and a plus 8 goal difference. With league status all but secured for another season it looks like Kidsgrove can go all out for a Staffordshire Senior Cup success.
Kidsgrove Athletic are a relatively young side, formed in December 1952. Having played in local league football they joined the Staffs County League in1963 and three years later, having won the County league and the Staffs Challenge Cup they joined the Mid-Cheshire league where they became champions four times and challenge cup winners three times. During the seventies the club lifted several trophies with success in the Staffs FA Vase, the Challenge Cup and the Sentinel Cup. In the Eighties having tried several times to join the North West Counties League, they were finally accepted in 1989. 1992 saw their best National cup run losing to Tiverton in the FA Vase. Four years later as champions Kidsgrove were promoted to the Unibond Northern Premier League. 2004 saw them finish bottom of the league but some league restructuring saved them from their first ever relegation. That year they did however win the Staffs Senior Cup for the first time beating us 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium. While still playing at step 4 of the non-league pyramid, Kidsgrove have had recent success in the Staffs Senior cup beating Rushall Olympic 6-1 in 2007, with a return in 2008, but losing to Rocester. 2009 saw yet another Staffs Senior Cup win at Vale Park when a 2-2 draw with us (yet again) and Kidsgrove triumph on penalties.
I know Wednesday night is an unusual day for football for us, but please travel up the A34 to cheer on the team.
Games played on13th March this century.
2004 Moor Green A 2-1 Southern League
2007 Gravesend H 3-1 Conference
2010 Northwich Victoria A 2-2 Conference North
2018 Warrington H 0-0 Northern Premier League
