RESHAPED Kidsgrove Athletic gained revenge for their defeat in the final of the Staffordshire Senior Cup with a confident 2-0 friendly win against Rocester.

Two goals in a minute, early in the second half, from Jimmy McCarthy and Tom Moss, were enough to seal the win.

With just one player remaining from the team which lost that game last season, Grove opened brightly, but Gary Beardsley squandered a couple of early sighters for the Romans.

Moss then headed over and McCarthy drew a good save from Romans keeper Paul Wood.

Rocester were playing their part and Reeves had to be sharp to prevent Beardsley once more.

Wood made another fine save to turn another Moss header away after good work by Jordan White and Tim Sanders.

After the break, Kidsgrove turned the screw and deservedly opened the scoring on 50 minutes.

Matranga broke through the middle and, as Wood approached, he lobbed the keeper, only to see his effort rebound off the bar to the in-rushing McCarthy, who netted from close range.

Less than a minute later, Moss drilled in a great second from 20 yards.

Kidsgrove dominated from then on and Wood worked overtime in saving from Karl Miller, Chris Smith, McCarthy and two shots from Andy Matthews before Simon Everall was sent clear only to fire over.

Beaming Kidsgrove manager Peter Ward, above, said: “We played with energy, enthusiasm and no little skill.

“I cannot fault my players for the way they controlled the game in the second half.”

CONGLETON Town again conceded an early goal on their way to a 4-0 defeat against Nantwich.

Michael Lennon opened the scoring in the third minute and further goals from Alan Nagington and a brace from Peter Heler condemned the Bears to a a heavy reverse.

A SECOND-HALF goal by Michael Sandbach was good enough for Alsager Town to beat Boldmere St Michaels at Wood Park.

ECCLESHALL went down 2-0 at Caerswys in a game they deserved to draw, and a brace of goals from Nathan Chinshaw enabled Meir KA to beat Biddulph Victoria 2-1.

Ashley Lawton pulled a goal back for Biddulph and Chris Boast had a late penalty saved.