Stafford Rangers win as familiar face returns and Chasetown climb above rivals - round-up
Neil Kitching has returned to Stafford Rangers in a bid to secure safety after seven years away from the club.
The returning boss declared Boro 'our club' as he checked in at Marston Road with assistant Nick Amos after a lengthy spell at Boldmere St. Michaels, which ended with a resignation over the weekend.
Kitching chalked up more than 200 games in charge of the club last time around. His record included 97 wins and league and cup success.
Relegation-threatened Boro earned three points at home against Wythenshawe in the Northern Premier West on Saturday to move within two points of the visitors, who occupy the final league position before the drop zone.
It was the perfect sign-off for caretaker boss Graham Deakin, who stood in following the departure of Dale Belford earlier this month.
New boss Kitching said: "This is our football club and feels like it always has been. We are thrilled and excited to accept the challenge.
"We have unfinished business at the club and still have the fight, desire, and passion. In the short term the overwhelming objective is to retain our position in the league and get this squad performing to its potential.
"Stafford Rangers should not be in their current position, and everyone will do everything to change that. Every game will be a cup final, and I want everyone to now come together as we fight for the badge, the club, and the future."
Boro conceded late on against Wythenshawe, but an own goal and fantastic finish from Zidan Sutherland was enough to see the hosts prevail in Deakin’s final game in charge.
Deakin said: “We spoke to the lads beforehand about just getting the win. We knew how important it was to close the gap.
“Although we controlled large parts of the game, there were moments where the lads had to put their bodies on the line. They did it and I couldn’t be prouder of them."
Kitching's first game back at the helm is away to local rivals Kidsgrove Athletic next Saturday.
Elsewhere in the division Chasetown climbed above Hednesford Town into fourth with a 3-0 home win over basement boys City of Liverpool while the Pitmen could only draw.
Jack Langston and George Cater netted inside 13 minutes for the Scholars before Joey Butlin put the seal on a routine home victory shortly into the second half.
Hednesford shared the spoils at 17th-placed Clitheroe. Jack Bearne salvaged a point with the equaliser 20 minutes from time after Sam Olawumi put the hosts ahead five minutes into the second half.
Fourth-placed Sporting Khalsa strengthened their position in the Northern Midlands with a 1-0 win on the road at lowly Grantham Town courtesy of Simeon Cobourne's effort on half hour.
Darlaston Town are seventh after a goalless draw at Shepshed Dynamo while Lye Town are one place and five points from safety after a stalemate of their own claimed a valuable point at eighth-placed Wellingborough Town.
