Opening Day Ghosts Laid To Rest

You'd never have known Stafford had been on the wrong end of a 5-0 humbling just three days prior as the togetherness and work rate was pulpable throughout this cracking a deserved away victory.

On a moist, slick and impeccable playing surface Town were confident from the start, popping the ball about and seemed to be enjoying themselves. An impressive opening quarter was rewarded in the 25th minute when a powerful cross from Nathan Scott on the right wing was met with an absolute bullet of a diving header from stand in left back Ryan Blagbrough at the far post. A proper net buster to give the visitors a deserved lead. Five minutes before the break and right back Matt Dean made a foraging run up the wing before delivery a delicious cross to the near post that was turned into his own goal by an unfortunate Uttoxeter defender. With bodies arriving in droves he had to address the ball as it looked a likely goal regardless.

Around the hour mark saw the impressive James Curly half the deficit for the hosts to make a dramatic and what seemed ageless finale to this encounter. Wave after wave of Uttoxeter pressure was repeatedly repelled by the visitors who despite all the efforts to retain a reasonably high line were being forced deeper as the minutes ticked by. The determined and disciplined Stafford lads weren't for wilting and held out for a superb, well earned three points on the road.