ON THIS DAY: 17 March – Stefan Scott debut goal & Graeme Nicholson debut hat-trick
A LOOK THROUGH THE ARCHIVES REVEALS THAT REDS HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW ‘FIRSTS’ ON THE 17th MARCH IN YEARS GONE BY AND HAVE ENJOYED A MIXED BAG OF RESULTS, HOME AND AWAY…….
2018 Buxton (home) 1-2 One thing Reds have been consistently good at over the years is failing in front of their own fans on the back of an excellent away performance – that back to earth with an almighty bump scenario! It happened again three years ago and followed a commendable victory at champions elect, Altrincham, when, a few days later, we lost on home soil to Buxton.
The familiar anticlimax occurred in the Evo-Stik Premier Division fixture despite Reds establishing an early lead thanks to a trademark Dav Symington goal.
But we allowed Joe Maguire (Harry’s brother) to head home the equaliser before half time and that proved a turning point in the game. Buxton, including former Red, Joe McGee, in their line-up were the better side after the break and deserved the winner netted by Anthony Wilson.
2015 FC United of Manchester (away) 0-1 A wonderful atmosphere was created by a huge crowd as FC and Reds crossed swords for the first time. The match was played at Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium with a strong away following in the attendance of 2,349.
Reds, playing in white, were under the cosh for the first half an hour or so but gradually got into the game. The only goal was scored fifteen minutes in when Lewis Lacy ‘shinned’ home the winner.
Conor Tinnion could have salvaged a point late in the day but failed to get good contact on the ball and volleyed wide.
2012 Bishop’s Stortford (home) 1-1 The Hertfordshire side marked their Borough Park debut with a goal after just three minutes but the hosts recovered and a draw was probably a fair outcome by the finish.
Stefan Scott, making his first start in Conference North, netted Reds equaliser but, despite a good spell in the game, we could not find that all important second goal.
2009 Stafford Rangers (away) 0-0 Despite two outstanding saves from skipper Adam Collin on his way to a clean sheet, Reds controlled much of the game but could not conjure up that elusive goal.
Paul Simpson, then manager of Shrewsbury Town, attended the game as did 26 away fans!
2007 Kettering Town (away) 3-2 Reds completed an impressive league double over the Northamptonshire side with a first ever win at Rockingham Road but the victory was overshadowed by a head injury to Anthony Wright which led to an overnight stay in hospital.
Kyle May 
Steve Birks
Craig Johnston’s measured lob from a good thirty yards gave Reds an early lead but Town had got themselves in front by the hour mark. Back came Tommy Cassidy’s side and goals from Kyle May and Steve Birks, the skipper scoring in the same net for the second season running, secured a memorable win.
Kettering eventually finished runners-up, Reds three points behind in 3rd position.
2003 Stocksbridge Park Steels (away) 2-1 What better way to spend a Monday evening in Sheffield after recording a maiden victory at the magnificent Bracken Moor ground?
Craig Johnston scored twice for Reds with Steels equalising in between with all goals coming in a frenetic first half.
1990 Congleton Town (home) 4-0 An enjoyable afternoon for the team, the small band of supporters (just 126 passing through the turnstiles), the manager, Les O’Neill and, particularly, Graeme Nicholson as Reds romped to their best win of the season.
Graeme netted his first hat-trick for the club, two goals in the first half, one in the second, with Chris Collins also finding the target.
1984 Gainsborough Trinity (away) 1-3 The first match of a weekend ‘double header’ saw Reds finish second best in Lincolnshire. Allan Carruthers bagged the Reds consolation goal in the second half and the same player would be on target again at Borough Park the following day.
1974 Torquay United (home) 3-1 Eamon Kavanagh marked his home debut for Reds with his first goal for the club and contributed to a well deserved win against Malcolm Musgrave’s side.
Dave Murray was again in great form and his two goals for Reds took his tally to six in his first six games for the club.
1971 Peterborough United (away) 1-3 John Burridge had never conceded three goals in a league match for Reds but chose his final first team outing for the club to do just that!
We were very much second best at the London Road ground and our consolation came from Posh central defender, Jack Carmichael’s own-goal.
1967 Brighton & Hove Albion (home) 2-1 Peter Foley and Brian Tinnion both enjoyed good personal campaigns despite the team suffering relegation from the Third Division in 1967.
They finished with double figure goal totals (11 and 10 respectively) with both wingers on target in the Friday night success over Albion.
Tinnion then turned out for the Reserves next day in a match at Windscale Rovers, scoring in a 4-2 victory!
1965 Brentford (home) 1-1 Peter Foley was also on target two years earlier when he scored his first league goal for Reds against a Brentford side pushing for promotion.
They eventually finished 5th, we were 15th.
1956 Darlington (away) 2-2 Whilst the first team were collecting a point from their Third Division North fixture at the Feethams ground, the respective reserve teams of Workington and Darlington were playing a North Eastern League match in Workington at Lonsdale Park. That also finished all square (1-1).
Billy Robson 
Jack Bertolini
Billy Robson and Jackie Bertolini were the scorers for the seniors.
1954 Grimsby Town (home) 2-0 This proved to be a very satisfactory day for Bill Shankly who guided his present side to victory over the club he previously managed. And Ernie Whittle, who he had signed earlier in the week, marked his debut with one of the goals. Norman Mitchell had opened the scoring in the Wednesday afternoon fixture which attracted a 7,458 crowd to Borough Park.
