By Francis Pitt: Stafford Rangers’ long winless run in the Blue Square North continued with a 2-0 home defeat to Workington.

The fixture was Stafford’s first game since November 23 but the break didn’t seem to improve their fortunes.

By Matt Wagg: A noon pitch inspection has been called ahead of Burton Albion’s 180-mile journey to Torquay.

Bad weather has forced many league to sides to postpone their games tomorrow (December 4), but Torquay United’s ground appears to be holding out better than most.

By Elliot Richardson: Stoke-on-Trent boxer Scott Lawton has announced his retirement.

The super-featherweight took part in Sky TV’s Prizefighter in Bethnal Green but suffered a quarter-final defeat to British Champion Gary Sykes which he admitted was “hard to take”.

Lawton, who trains at the Impact Boxing gym in Fenton, took the decision to hang up his gloves after all three judges handed him a 30-27 points defeat in the three-round tussle with Sykes.

By Emma Glanfield: League Two high-fliers Port Vale face a potential clash with Accrington Stanley if they can overcome Dartford in their FA Cup first round replay.

The Valiants could not get the better of their Blue Square Bet Premier South opposition in Saturday’s clash, with manager Micky Adams brandishing his team “second best” after the 1-1 draw.

By Jon Naylor: The summer athletics season is underway but the City of Stoke Athletics Club are lacking in sprinters after their specialists moved on.
The club are now launching a recruitment drive to find new talent.
Stoke athlete Martin Bartholomew told StaffsLive: “We did have a brilliant sprint squad but they’ve all moved up to higher clubs. A lot of them are funded by whatever club they are running for.
“We’ve got a few good runners coming through rom a younger age group so give it a couple of years we might …

 
By Daniel Milligan:
Longton’s Jamie Cope revealed how he hopes next week’s World Championships in Sheffield will be the highlight of his year.
The snooker ace heads to the famous Crucible Theatre in pursuit of his first ranking tournament win.
But the ‘Shotgun’ faces a tough opening match against fifth-seed Ali Carter.
Cope, speaking exclusively to StaffsLive, said: “It’s always going to be difficult, but I just have to try and concentrate on scoring heavy and taking my chances.”
The 24-year-old potter, who is currently 18th in the world said a good run next week …

By Jonathan Gibson: Staffordshire Stallions’ season is over after their final game of the season against Lincoln Colonials was cancelled.
It leaves the Stallions finishing the season with two wins and five defeats.
Stallions team captain Max Bonaker said: “We were a new team at the start of the year because so many players had left.
“When you have a small squad like ours it’s a struggle to face teams with a bigger, stronger physical presence.”
Stallions started the 2009/2010 season slowly, losing their opening three games as the team struggled to gel on …

By Bradley Bowman: Newly appointed Staffordshire University cricket captain Daniel Milligan is confident of a win in the opening event of Varsity 2010.
Milligan said: “I’m very confident with my squad and the side we are taking to Keele is even stronger than last year. So, as captain, I’m looking forward to the game and to putting Staffs 1-0 up.”
Staffs have been in great form leading up to the game, beating a number of teams including Derby University, Coventry University, Bangor University and Hem Heath C.C.
The pace bowler added: “We just …

By Mark Siglioccolo
Staffordshire Police has urged fans planning to attend Wednesday’s F.A Cup 5th round replay against Manchester City to get to the Britannia Stadium in plenty of time.
Chief Inspector Vera Bloor, the match commander for Wednesday’s game, said: “At recent matches a number of fans have arrived very close to kick-off for the game, which has caused extended traffic delays on roads around the stadium, particularly around the Trentham Lakes site.
“Many fans choose to travel to the ground by car or bus, but several also choose to walk, sometimes …

By Mark Siglioccolo: Fans of Stoke City legend Sir Stanley Matthew’s today paid tribute to the ‘Wizard of Dribble’ on the tenth anniversary of his death.
Matthews died peacefully on 23rd February, 2000, after a brief illness, at the age of 85.
He was the first, and only, player to play in the highest division of the football league until the age of fifty, and was never booked.
The Hanley-born legend has already had his achievements honoured by becoming the only footballer to be knighted whilst still playing, and statues of him placed outside …