Stratford 2nd XI 7 - Solihull Blossumfield 2nd XI 1
The start of a new season is here for Stratford hockey club and the 2nd XI carried on where they left off after last years promotion to Midlands Division 1. Under the captaincy of Matt White for another season, Stratford faced their first friendly against Solihull who finished 3rd behind Stratford last season. An even start to the game on a very hot day, saw Stratford rely on a strong counter attacking game to open up Solihull, with the first goal coming from a three pronged attack between Reynolds, Russel and Brookes, leading to Brookes slapping the ball over the keeper's body to open the scoring. The next goal was taken by the ever industrious Jones, sniping in the box to open his tally for the season, closely followed by a well taken strike by Forrester finding the bottom corner.
With a strong start it was imperative that Stratford utalised the heat of the day to tire out Solihull and thus changed tack, starting to play the ball around the back and midfield making Solihull chase the game. Russel added a well taken goal, sweeping into the net after a good initial save from Warwick by the opposition keeper. This season will definitely need a good conversion rate from short corners and Brookes scored his second after a well worked move, followed up by a drag flick by Howkins, clunging it past the stranded keeper. Russel added another strike, but in truth Stratford could have scored a few more and must be more clinical in this difficult new league. The defence of Ainscough, White, Dudley, Powell and Forrester rarely had any problems and continued the strength from last year, although they felt disspointed to give Solihull a consolation. Special mention must be given to Will and Ralph, two juniors experiencing second team hockey for the first time and performing admirably.
Stratford's pre season got kick started with an emphatic win over Solihull on Saturday. Stratford were under the new captaincy of Stuart Guise who made a few changes to last year's starting 11.
The game began at a high tempo with both sides playing as if this was a league game! However Stratford took the reigns early and a surging run from Savage forced a mistake from the Solihull defence leading to a Short-Corner. This was pounced upon by Stratford and after a well worked set piece Mark Leary dispatched the ball over the logging keeper into the side netting. However Solihull came back hard at Stratford and after a period of absorbed pressure Stratford hit back with a great run from Havers and drawing another Short-Corner. This allowed sweeper Simpson to hammer the ball into the back of the goal allowing no time for the stunned Solihull defence to react. This gave Stratford a much needed cushion allowing them to start playing their free flowing hockey and it was not long until they capitalised again. Some fantastic movement and passing involving Captain Stuart Guise, erstwhile Captain Hyatt, Garratt and Chorley allowed Grigg to sneak free from his marker and slot it into the open goal without the keeper moving! This sent Stratford into half time 3-0 to the good!
Solihull came out from half time a different team and some fast paced hockey again found Stratford being put under pressure but the very capable defence of Grey, Chorley, Simpson, Garratt, McKee and debutant Martyn Helliker allowed Stratford to feel at ease. The fourth goal for Stratford came from some excellent lead up play involving the whole team which allowed Grigg enough room to glide past two Solihull defenders and slip it under the diving keeper. This goal felt like the match winner but Solihull where still not a side to be complacent with and a quick counter attack caught Stratford napping and allowed Solihull to sneak the ball past the right pad of Helliker making the score 4-1. The last 15 minutes of the game belonged to Stratford with Havers getting 2 goals from some well deserved leg work up front. The final goal came 5 minutes before the final whistle with another Short-Corner routine. This time McKee unleashed a lighting quick drag flick forcing a save to the Keepers outstretched glove and allowing Savage to get on the score card with an easy rebound. The game finished 7-1 with a confident and clinical Stratford team leaving the field. This was a changed Stratford side and if they carry this form on to the league they will be the side to beat this season.
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