Match Report: Sutton Coldfield Town vs. Stamford, 20th Aug 2011

Lee Beeson and Miles Chamberlain were declared fit but most supporters were surprised to see them both starting. Even more surprising was that Matt Cook was dropped, and not even on the bench, with Robbie Maddox playing at right back. Dean Oliver made his first start of the season with Greg Smith on the bench.

The game was played on Sutton Coldfield’s new 3g artificial pitch but, despite that superb playing surface, it was a slow start for both sides and the first chance for either side didn’t come until midway through the first half. Sam Mullarkey first did well to hold off a defender running onto a pass from Dan Barrett and then delivered a great cross for Dan Cotton. His shot was well saved by Niall Cooper and then Cooper pulled off another great save when Lee Beeson fired in the loose ball.

Stamford were now having the best of the play and Mullarkey won a foul just outside the box which was taken by Cotton. The ball came off the head of a defender but then bounced off the top of the cross bar.

As the game went into the last ten minutes Sutton still hadn’t tested Mario Ziccardi. Their first shot of the game, from Mark Bellingham, was going into the far corner before a Stamford leg stretched out to block the ball.

At the other end, Miles Chamberlain set up a good run from Cotton which ended with a cross from the bye line for Dean Oliver. His header was across goal but lacked power and was an easy save for Cooper.

With four minutes left in the half Stamford went behind when Matt Dodd was left with so much room that he could stand and wait for a pin point cross from Dean Rathbone to arrive at his feet. He took the ball forward before crossing to the near post where Ross Miller steered the ball home. It was 1-0 at halftime and, in a half with few chances, it was a defensive lapse which had allowed Sutton Coldfield their lead.

Sutton Coldfield started the second half strongly and a huge clearance was chased by Bellingham who got the better of Michael Jacklin before shooting from a tight angle. Ziccardi was in the right place to block the shot. A minute later Bellingham had an even better chance but Ziccardi, who appeared to fall over adjusting his position, still managed to push the ball away for a corner.

Sutton Coldfield wasted another chance when Rathbone outjumped the Stamford defence to meet a deep free kick but headed wide of the post. Sutton were well on top but it was a bizarre goal which increased their lead when a throw out from Ziccardi hit Barrett. The ball dropped right in front of Marshall who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Simon Clark made two substitutions to try and get back in the game with Gary King replacing Dean Oliver but the second surprising supporters with Jake Gibson replacing Dan Cotton. King soon had Stamford’s first chance of the half but his header from a long cross ball from Robbie Maddox was straight into the arms of Cooper.

With 15 minutes left Bellingham won a free kick from Miles Chamberlain chasing another huge clearance. Ziccardi made a tremendous one handed save to keep out the free kick from Rathbone.

The changes livened up Stamford but they managed to create only one more chance when a shot from Gibson was well saved by Cooper.

Bellingham was replaced but James Reid took over the role of target man for the long clearances. Deep into stoppage time Chamberlain tried to head the ball back to Ziccardi but, under pressure from Reid, didn’t get enough on the ball and Reid had the simple task of lobbing the ball over Ziccardi.

3-0 might have flattered Sutton Coldfield but it was Stamford’s defending which had been their undoing contributing directly to two of the goals. Stamford probably edged the first half but barely got into the second.

Stamford: Mario Ziccardi, Robbie Maddox, Dan Barrett, Chris Gray, Miles Chamberlain, Michael Jacklin, Lee Beeson (Danny Steadman 77), Andy Toyne, Dean Oliver (Gary King 62), Sam Mullarkey, Dan Cotton (Jake Gibson 62). Subs not used: Danny Brooks, Greg Smith

Sutton Coldfield: Niall Cooper, Nick Dodd, Matt Jackson, Phil Male, Zac Costello, Ross Miller, Matt Dodd, Dean Rathbone (Ed Booth 89), Craig Marshall (James Reid 82), Mark Bellingham (Danny Lennon 85), Stuart McNaught. Subs not used: Jimmy Quiggin, Andy Ling

Attendance: 132