Belper Town v Kidsgrove POSTPONED
Kidsgrove's trip to Belper has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Athletic are next in action on Saturday 21st January at home to play-off chasing Stamford.
Coalville Town 1 Kidsgrove Ath 1 - Grove comeback earns a point
Kidsgrove earned a point from a trip to a bitterly cold Coalville on Saturday, coming from behind in a scrappy game that saw numerous bookings for each side.
Athletic made one change from the side that had beaten Belper 2-0 the previous week, with Steve Brannan coming into the starting line-up in place of Ashley Carter.
Coalville applied the early pressure and on six minutes, Steve Hodgson made an uncharacteristic error, flapping at cross, but fortunately for the goalkeeper, Adam Goodby was unable to covert the resulting loose ball. Almost immediately afterwards, Sam Hall conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area that Cameron Stuart drove straight at Hodgson.
Hall was then involved at the other end two minutes late as he shot narrowly wide from 20 yards after Steve Brannan had floated a free-kick into the danger zone.
Kidsgrove Ath 2 Belper Town 0 - Athletic find form at last
Kidsgrove picked up a valuable three points at The Seddon Stadium on Saturday with a solid 2-0 win over visitors Belper Town. Goals from Dave Walker and Karl Charlton secured the points, while Steve Hodgson made a series of good saves to ensure Athletic kept a clean sheet.
Grove included new signing Jonathan Crompton at centre back along side Andy Taylor. The 21-year old spent eight years at Manchester United's academy before moving to Port Vale where he teamed up with current Athletic midfielder Ross Davidson.
Kidsgrove started very well and could have taken the lead with 90 seconds on the clock as a cross by Danny Smith was inexplicably turned towards goal by Aaron Pride, forcing Belper keeper Andy Richmond into a diving stop. Just a minute later, the home side were in front as a perfectly-weighted ball from Sam Hall was met by Dave WALKER who calmly slotted the ball past Richmond from outside the area.
Romulus 4 Kidsgrove Ath 1 - Grove downed by old-boy Blissett
Kidsgrove were undone by a first half hat-trick from former reserve player Nathan Blissett on a night to forget at Coles Lane.
With Steve Hodgson still suspended, Stuart Heeps made a return to the club in goal, and he was left shocked by some clinical finishing from the hosts, giving them an unassailable lead despite playing the majority of the second half with ten men.
Athletic started brightly and after 4 minutes Karl Charlton earned a free kick 25 yards from goal. Dave Bridgewater's floated ball was cleared as far as Craig Dove who hit a shot from just outside the area narrowly wide of the post.
Romulus responded with Chris Morris shooting straight at Heeps on 7 minutes. Shortly afterwards, Grove conceded a free-kick that Marvin Johnson played into the area, and with Heeps unable to reach the ball, BLISSETT was left with the simple task of slotting into the net.
