We welcome the management, players and spectators of Staveley Miners Welfare F.C. for our penultimate home game of the season. The two sides have already met at the Jones and Co recreational ground back in September in the league but unfortunately the game had to be abandoned after 70 minutes due to a serious injury to our keeper Glen McPherson. At the time our visitors were in the lead by three goals to two so they were probably upset that the game ended how it did. It was the only game I have missed this season (until Phoenix next Wednesday) and I was reliably told that we did not play well that day, but we had changed things around and the management that day thought we would turn things round in that final twenty. Add to the fact that the visitors had just been reduced to ten men then there was every chance that that could have happened. Then again what’s to say that Staveley could have hit us on the break and increases their lead! One thing for certain is that we will never know what would have materialised that day hence that’s why we start again today with the scores level.
Staveley’s last two games have seen seven goals in total, both seeing them lose by the odd goal. A four three defeat away at Newark was proceeded by the same scoreline at home to Dinnington. They have also tasted defeat in two cup semi finals just recently to Collingham in the space of a week losing two nil and one nil respectively. Another respectable defeat before those semi finals was a two one defeat at promotion hopefuls Clay Cross, so our visitors this afternoon will be looking to stop a run of five successive defeats in all competitions.
The two sides last met on the thirteenth January this year in one of Lee’s first games as manager. It’s fair to say that we had most of the game that day and eventually took the lead with a Sean Mundy goal. However Staveley never gave up and were eventually were rewarded with an equaliser near the end. It was the same old story though of not taking our chances when on top and Staveley were to punish us for not doing so. After last weeks narrow win over Welbeck we will be looking to add another three points to the total, this time of the season it’s the results that count, not the performance and if we can win five of our last six fixtures it should be enough, but I am sure the sides we have left to play will say something about that. Anyway enjoy the game and a safe journey home to everyone.