Kitching hails ‘unbelievable’ support as Stafford come from behind to beat Kidsgrove
A comeback victory for Stafford Rangers at Kidsgrove Athletic was greeted with a visceral roar as Neil Kitching began his second stint as manager in winning fashion.
Ashley Fallon and Callum King-Harmes netted to provide Stafford with their third league win in a row and another valuable three points in their quest to secure safety in the Northern One West.
The victory sees Stafford remain 18th in the standings, one point above the drop zone.
And, new boss Kitching was delighted with the win and grateful to the hundreds of Rangers fans who made the trip to Kidsgrove.
He said: “My two boys asked me ‘are you nervous today Dad?’
“I said well if you are not nervous on match day regardless then there is something wrong. You want to win wherever you are at, but I am so pleased
“Turning up there is always a bit of apprehension, but the boys did a really good job for the club and deserved to get over the line.
“We have just got to kick on now.
“The support was unbelievable, they were so noisy and it makes a difference. I said during the first time I was here, the more we can get the fans onside the better, they suck the ball in, they are the 12th man.
“At the end for the players and staff to see it at the end behind the goal was unbelievable.”
While former Port Vale forward Tom Pope aimed to be a source of problems for the Rangers, Zidane Sutherland came close for Stafford during the opening, brushing the net with his cheeky chip and attempt to catch Kieran Harrison off his line.
The Boro’s Ben O’Hanlon escaped with a yellow card for his firm tackle which sparked a furious brawl.
And, after firing narrowly wide with an ambitious overhead kick, Kidsgrove danger man Kingsley Adu Gyamfi gave his side a 26th-minute lead.
Cameron Belford denied Robbie Hatton from making it two with his powerful free-kick before Ashley Fallon levelled for Stafford moments from the break with his sumptuous volley, and sent the Rangers following into raptures.
After the break, both Aaron Bott and Dan Holdcroft came close to earning the home side the lead.
But, from nowhere, Callum King-Harmes grabbed possession and, with time and space, guided his shot into the bottom corner to give Stafford the advantage.
The Rangers denied late pressure to cling on for the win, ending a successful week.
