Preview: Stafford (A)

Today, Atherton Collieries travel to Stafford Rangers for our next Pitching In Northern Premier League outing. Remarkably, tonight will be the first time the Colls have travelled to Stafford. This milestone could easily be forgotten in the context of the fixture's original postponement, as our March trip to Stafford was postponed hours before kick-off when a certain international pandemic first scuppered Northern Premier League football schedules, just 227 days ago. Brad Cooke's Atherton Collieries enter the match looking to bounce back from Saturday's hard fought defeat at Witton Albion, and travel to Staffordshire with the same squad available for selection. Available to play against the Colls tonight is our former midfielder John Welsh, a consummate professional who remains well regarded at the Skuna Stadium after making 22 appearances for the club last season. Likewise, Stafford are a side also looking to make amends with tonight's fixture, following an FA Cup fourth qualifying round shock against Skelmersdale United. Under the management of Jody Banim, a young manager who has already earned a solid coaching pedigree following a prolific playing career, the Boro will no doubt prove to be a big test for the Colls as they fight for their first win of the season. Following guidance from the various authorities, tonight's fixture will be played with a limited allocation of 30 tickets for away fans, available through online purchase only. Away spectators are to enter through Turnstile 'F', and face masks will be mandatory at all times upon entry to the ground, alongside the various social distancing and track & trace measures also. We must advise supporters who have not received a ticket in our away allocation not to travel. Address: Marston Road Stafford, ST16 3BX Tickets are no longer available to purchase for this game. Please contact @SRFCOfficial for any enquiries.