Kidsgrove boss slams league over fixture congestion

Kidsgrove Athletic boss Peter Ward has slammed the Evo-Stik league for starting fixtures later than other leagues which he claims causes fixture congestion later in the season.

The Welsh Premier and Blue Square Premier, North and South divisions all start their fixtures on August 14, but the Evo-Stik divisions start on August 21 and this delay is causing havoc as the cold weather sets in.

Ward said: “We start two weeks after everyone else and this needs changing.

Peter Ward

“This cold weather is set for at least ten days now, so we have no chance of playing our midweek games and next week so it is going to be a struggle.”

Ward also believed that the number of cup competitions is hampering the side’s that do well and progress further in the competitions.

He added: “There are too many cups – it is simple.

“We are four games behind some teams and other are four behind us so it means that we have a fixture congestion late in the season when others are maybe only playing once a week.”

Kidsgrove are currently in the quarter-finals of the Staffordshire Senior Cup but reached the third-round of the League Cup, as well as competing in the FA Cup preliminary rounds, FA Trophy and Presidents Trophy.

Grove sit seventh but if they can win their games in hand then Ward’s men will be hanging on the coattails on the top two side Barwell and Carlton Town.

Stafford Rangers boss up for FA Trophy clash

Stafford Rangers boss Tim Flowers is adamant that his side aren’t going to ‘roll over’ on Saturday (Nov 20), writes Lewis Davies.

Rangers face a long 220-mile trip to the Northumberland coast as they take on Blyth Spartans in the third-qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

But the former-England keeper said that his side need to be wary of their top players.

He added: “Blyth are a good side and they have one of the league’s top goalscorers Paul Brayson in their team.

Tim Flowers (left)

“However, there is no chance that I’m making the four hour journey up north to see us roll over and get our tummies tickled.

“I thought we were the better team against Solihull a few weeks back, who are now flying high, and I expect us to make as many chances as we did against Hinckley where we created nine or ten clear cut opportunities and converted just one.

“I’m going there to win the game and we’ll give it everything.”

Defender Mark Dudley is expected to be fit having come back from a recent ankle injury but the occasion may have come too soon for forward Tyree Clarke.

Darren Wrack and Jermaine Johnson remain suspended and despite also missing out on Nantwich midfielder Michael Carr’s signature this week, Rangers boss Tim Flowers is adamant his team will perform nonetheless.

Kick-off is 3.00pm at Spartans Croft Park.

North Staffs Football predicts a 2-1 Blyth Spartans win.

Betting odds for North Staffs football this weekend

Fancy a flutter this weekend? Christopher Finch has a look at some of our sides as they shape up for tomorrow’s matches.

Stoke City travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, but find themselves second favourites at 13/5, with the Baggies available at 5/4. In a battle of two sides currently sitting mid-table, a 23/10 draw looks a tempting bet.

Will you be in for a good return?

Meanwhile down in League Two, Burton Albion entertain high-flying Bury on Friday night as 11/8 favourites, with the visitors best priced at 17/8. You can get 12/5 on this match finishing level.

Port Vale (6/4) are looking to close the gap on leaders Chesterfield, and welcome fourth-placed Wycombe Wanderers (21/10) to Vale Park. With the home team having drawn five of their last six league matches, that result here is available at 23/10.

Struggling Stafford Rangers are 4/1 outsiders as they take a break from league action with an FA Trophy trip to Blyth Spartans (4/6), with the draw at 3/1.

North Staffs Football encourages responsible betting.