Peter Grimes reports on the game at Stafford:

Stafford?? 2?? v??? 0? VICS

Vics could not complain at this defeat as Stafford adapted much better to the heavy unpredictable pitch and, once in front, never really looked like losing it.

With players from both sides struggling to control the ball Vics had the brighter opening but there was little to trouble either goalkeeper in the first 15 minutes. What the game lacked in goalmouth action it more than made up for in other ways on the quarter hour! Street tripped Carr as he was going clear. Very quickly there was an altercation between Daniel and Sale with several other players stepping in. Once sorted the ref gave straight reds to both Sale and Daniel and a yellow to Street. Yellows followed for both Allan and McCarthy in the next 10 minutes as the game became ill tempered. On the half hour Stafford brought on Murray to balance their team Daniel having been one of their central defenders and still neither keeper had been seriously involved!

With Vics just shading the game, if only because they were using wide balls to more effect, it was a surprise when Stafford took the lead. Charnock declined an easy ball to Chapman out of defence and went for the longer one but straight to Smith who carried to the middle and played it perfectly into the path of Grayson running at goal and he finished very well with a low drive that gave Rogers no chance. On 36 minutes Smith, looking suspiciously off side went clear but shot wide with only Rogers to beat. He didn't have long to wait for his next chance as in the next minute he received the ball from a low left wing cross and fired at goal, Rogers blocking it but the rebound ran loose and as Smith Rogers and Chapman all struggled to get there first it was Smith who got a touch and the ball rolled slowly over the line. 2 more chances followed for Smith, first he was denied by a timely Charnock tackle after Rogers slipped then he beat 2 men and saw his shot blocked where it ran to Street who shot inches over off the rebound. Once in front Stafford had dominated and Vics needed the break to re-group.

The second half quickly fell into a pattern of Vics having more possession but Stafford looking comfortable doing the simple things and creating the best chances off breakaways.? Vics brought on Roca for Chapman and he fired wide from a good position within 2 minutes. Another run by Roca saw him release Allan but the keeper was quick saving at the fet of Allan. Byrne replaced Battersby but it made little difference and we were lucky not to conceded a third when Street broke clear, beat Rogers but hit the post as he tried to finish from a narrow angle, the clearance was played right back in and Grayson headed narrowly wide with Rogers beaten. Grayson then had a chance from the other side again beating Rogers but the shot rolled across the goalmouth. The last 10 minutes saw Vics get closer to goal, keeper Williams saving with his legs from Brayson and Allan coming close as well but still Stafford looked dangerous and a Walker shot rolled right through the 6 yd box before being cleared.

In the end we could blame no one except ourselves. Stafford did the simple things well; they were hungry for the ball and created far more chances. A timely reminder to Vics that the team is not untouchable despite the good start to the season and we now have to play "catch-up" to avoid the lottery of the play offs.

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