Town Pay The Penalty Yet Again With Avoidable Errors

Yet again Town contributed to their own problems and were 0-2 at HT before a credible second half almost saw them return home with a share of the spoils.

The quarter hour mark saw Towns Kyle Ashman 1 v 1 with the Kirby left back. The defender read Ashmans stepover and pinched possession. A lovely three pass combination resulted in the central midfielder having time and space to get his head up and see the early untracked run of Dave Assuncao. His forward pass of fully 40 yards caught the entire Town back line flat footed and ball watching and the lively no.10 was through to round Joe Morris and give the hosts the lead.

Ten minutes later and Town contributed to their own problems as the lead was doubled. Zakari Adams had the ball at his feet and 22 yards out feigned the shot tempting Tom Duffy to go to ground. Instead the clever forward slipped a pass to his right to Assuncao. His shot was snuffed out by Charlie Swingwood but Adams had held his run as all surrounding red shirts retreated and his gamble paid off as the ricochet block arrived at his feet. He fired his low shot past the on rushing Duffy and Matt Dudley and the unsighted Joe Morris was helpless in goal as the ball nestled in the far bottom corner.

The industrious Jack Milgate was introduced at halftime and this immediately increased the tempo of Towns play both in and out of possession. Just three minutes after the restart and midfield partner Charlie Swingwood netted for the second game in succession. This time a well placed finish into the top corner from 25 yards out and it was game on.

Town were taking the game to their hosts now who appeared to have less time on the ball to pick their passes. The goal had given Town the momentum but they gave it straight back just minutes later. Again it was the constant threat of no.10 Dave Assuncao who ran onto a through ball down the right flank. The ball initially looked like it would run through to keeper Joe Morris but dramatically slowed up on the recently laid 4G pitch due to the quantity of rubber crumb in situ. Morris stayed put and as the winger nicked the ball past Duffy on the edge of the six yard box he stuck a leg out tripping his foe and giving the referee little option but to award the spot kick. With Morris well positioned and two more defenders in close proximity it was a needless gift that would prove costly as Assuncao duly dispatched the penalty for a 3-1 lead.

Kirby were made to sweat for the points as Town dragged the score back to 3-2 which in all honesty makes the performance from a Stafford perspective appear more positive than it actually was as Kirby were well worth their win. A refusal to give up by the returning Will Reid down by the left corner flag saw him beat his marker and deliver into the six yard box. The defender made a hash of his clearance and Anwar Olugbon jumped on the error to steer the ball home to provide nothing more than a late consolation.