Stratford Ladies 1's 4 Olton & West Warwicks 2B's 2

Stratford played hosts to mid table team Olton and managed to claim a hard earned victory where they were pushed all the way by the visitors to claim the win. Stratford managed to put the disappointment of last week's loss behind them and made up for it with this home win.

Playing at home gave Stratford the edge they had been lacking the previous week and came out strongly. From the early pressure the home side had several attacks and their pressure was rewarded shortly after ten minutes of play when Holly Outhwaite made a trade mark run attacking down the left hand side of the pitch. Leaving defenders in her wake she showed good vision when she saw Catherine Smith unmarked and slotted the ball through to Smith, who with great composure, finished the move for the opening goal.

Olton collapsed after this goal and opened the doors for Stratford's attacking style of play. Again the pressure showed with a penalty corner being awarded to Stratford. The ball found its way to captain Kate Heritage who struck the ball past the defenders.

Shortly after this trademark goal Stratford were awarded another penalty corner. With the defence aware of the threat from the captain they rushed to put the pressure on her. Unfortunately for the visitors their rush defence left Emma Davis wide open. Heritage passed to Davis, who showed her skills by lifting the ball neatly over the advancing keeper.

Stratford were in danger of running away with the game but relaxed, thinking they had done the job. In doing so they allowed Olton back into the game and the visitors got two goals that their afternoon's efforts deserved.

The second Olton goal jolted Stratford back into life, who once again started to pile pressure onto the visitors. The home side sealed the win when they once again broke up field and Gemma Foster managed to get on the end of a deflection off the keeper to finish the scoring. Foster had a fine afternoon and was awarded Player of the Match.

Stratford will need to play as well this week when they visit the league leaders, Birmingham University 3rds.

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Stratford Fifths 1 Bourneville Fourths 1


Now fielding a fifth team for the first time in many years Stratford came up against a fit and athletic Bourneville team. All the Stratford youngsters played a part in a most impressive performance.Matt Wain was as industrious as ever in midfield with Jack Dudley making a small but skilful target man. Matt Vaudry and Alex Orchard showed some delightful touches in midfield and Ralph Newbould was stout in defence. They were supplemented by some older wiseheads including Trevor Handcox and Nigel Wood and really dominated the first half. Chances went a begging until Ben Woodhams broke the deadlock following up from a short corner. That lead was held onto until deep into the second half when Bourneville equalized with a goal past the despairing effort of Mark Dudley. A fair result with great encouragement for the future in the performance of all the Stratford juniors

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