Town Triumphant In El Staffico!

'El Staffico' bragging rights returned to Evans Park for the first time since Aug 2017 and it was clear to see what it meant not just to the players but the long serving volunteers behind the scenes who are the heartbeat of ours and all grass roots clubs.

Town started very brightly with Nathan Scott looking particularly threatening down the right wing. Scotts frustration was clear to see when he was forced off after just 20 minutes due to a recurring ankle issue but this gave opportunity for the determined Kyle Ashman to make his mark on the game. You never see a lack of effort from Kyle and in some cases it could be said he tries too hard and does too much however on this occasion he channelled the frustration of not starting and put in his finest hour of football in a Town shirt this season.

The first half concluded with no goals but Town having shaded things. Five minutes after the restart it was a direct drive into the box from Ashman that saw him needlessly bundled to the ground and the clear spot kick awarded. Anwar Olugbon made no mistake from the spot giving the impressive Henry Smith no chance to put the visitors ahead. Just five minutes later and lightning struck twice but this time it was Kyle Wainwright who wrong footed his marker and was tripped under the nose of the well placed referee for another spot kick. Again Olugbon made sure firing into the roof of the net for a 0-2 cushion.

The next 30 minutes saw a cracking, blood and thunder derby with tackles flying in on the slick and true surface as the rain poured down. Both sides were battling fiercely and the healthy crowd of just under 200 will have felt they got their fivers worth.

With ten minutes to go an in-swinging corner was flicked on at the near post and Brocton skipper Dan Lomas was quickest to bundle the ball home to give the hosts a foothold in the contest. They came close a couple of times but equally Town could have notched another by the time the referee brought things to a halt. Before he did however there was time for some derby day handbags with Kyle Ashman and Jack Arrowsmith both getting their marching orders once the melee involving practically all on the pitch had been sifted through by all three officials.