Those Were The Days; 14th December 1996

[Les1949]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS
14th December 1996
Isthmian (Ryman) Division 1
Molesey 1 Hampton 1 Att; 110
Cheshire

Mark Russell; Mark Biggins, Bradley Pratt, Jim Wigmore, Steve Cheshire, Dave Rattue, Paul Ripley (Craig Reilly), Mark Wilson, Steve Stairs, Robin Lewis (Adam Kilner), Peter Wood.

Molesey made life difficult for the Beavers all Saturday afternoon and managed to drag Hampton down to their level. Too often Hampton gave the ball away in midfield allowing Molesey to press forward, fortunately Russell was there to deny the home side. Ten minutes before half time a Wood long throw was helped on by Wigmore but Stairs’s effort was just the wrong side of the upright. Molesey took the lead in the 71st minute when Phil Gallacher’s miscued effort wrong-footed Russell. Once Molesey were ahead, the game opened up. Within six minutes parity was restored. Wilson, back in the side, found Stairs with a pass, Stairs fed Cheshire and went for the return. Cheshire hit the ball across the face of the goal but it clipped the inside of the far post and nestled snugly in the back of the net. Molesey keeper Matt Hodson then kept the point safe for Molesey, tipping a shot away from Lewis before bravely diving at the feet of Ripley.


The Old Historian

[Lord Elpus]

Wasn't it Aiden Kilner, rather than Adam? Or was that a different player? Steve Stairs was a real conundrum...a good player who'd scored loads of goals elsewhere but his record with us was dismal. Mark Biggins was a joy to watch but less of a team player by this stage of his career. Interesting times.

[BevereeMaster]

Steve Stairs had 75 goals in 126 appearances for Aldershot before joining us, anyone know what his scoring record was like for us?

[Les1949]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS
14th December 1996
Isthmian (Ryman) Division 1
Molesey 1 Hampton 1 Att; 110
Cheshire

Mark Russell; Mark Biggins, Bradley Pratt, Jim Wigmore, Steve Cheshire, Dave Rattue, Paul Ripley (Craig Reilly), Mark Wilson, Steve Stairs, Robin Lewis (Aidan Kilner), Peter Wood.

Molesey made life difficult for the Beavers all Saturday afternoon and managed to drag Hampton down to their level. Too often Hampton gave the ball away in midfield allowing Molesey to press forward, fortunately Russell was there to deny the home side. Ten minutes before half time a Wood long throw was helped on by Wigmore but Stairs’s effort was just the wrong side of the upright. Molesey took the lead in the 71st minute when Phil Gallacher’s miscued effort wrong-footed Russell. Once Molesey were ahead, the game opened up. Within six minutes parity was restored. Wilson, back in the side, found Stairs with a pass, Stairs fed Cheshire and went for the return. Cheshire hit the ball across the face of the goal but it clipped the inside of the far post and nestled snugly in the back of the net. Molesey keeper Matt Hodson then kept the point safe for Molesey, tipping a shot away from Lewis before bravely diving at the feet of Ripley.


The Old Historian

[Les1949]

Wasn't it Aiden Kilner, rather than Adam? Or was that a different player? Steve Stairs was a real conundrum...a good player who'd scored loads of goals elsewhere but his record with us was dismal. Mark Biggins was a joy to watch but less of a team player by this stage of his career. Interesting times.

Aiden.

[Les1949]

Wasn't it Aiden Kilner, rather than Adam? Or was that a different player? Steve Stairs was a real conundrum...a good player who'd scored loads of goals elsewhere but his record with us was dismal. Mark Biggins was a joy to watch but less of a team player by this stage of his career. Interesting times.

Yes, Aiden. Could really use a proof reader!

[Les1949]

Steve Stairs had 75 goals in 126 appearances for Aldershot before joining us, anyone know what his scoring record was like for us?

3 goals in 25 appearances...all 3 against Dorking!

[Mucky knees]

Was that hatrick scored on 21/1/1997?

MK

[Les1949]

Was that hatrick scored on 21/1/1997?

MK

Yes, in the 8-0 win over Dorking in a Southern Combination Cup tie

[Lord Elpus]

Was that hatrick scored on 21/1/1997?

MK

Yes, in the 8-0 win over Dorking in a Southern Combination Cup tie

Remember it well, against the original Dorking FC, who were dire at the time and losing heavily every game. Players had obviously been told to set Stairs up with as many chances as possible, presumably in order to boost his confidence. Stairs is often in the crowd whenever we play against Farnborough, he was from out that way so I guess he follows them.

[Mucky knees]

My older nephew was born the following day. He was mascot when we beat Slough Town to win the Ryman league...

MK