FW: match report Straftord Ladies 1st team

Stratford Ladies 1^st team played Nuneaton on Saturday. This was a crucial match for Stratford and a win was vital. Stratford started the first half positively with great one twos and a fast pace which resulted in numerous breaks from Hayley Nicholls, Holly Outhwaite and Abby Campbell, who had a two on one with the goalie. With great communication and ball distribution the midfield could feed the ball through to the forwards supporting the attacks on goal. Nuneaton broke and attacked our goal but with strong defending by Emma Van-Der-Hayden, Mel Coleman, Vicky Guise and Sandra Leary Stratford regained possession of the ball. With a short corner awarded to Nuneaton, Michelle was supported by Vicky Guise who cleared the shot. This was followed by an attack from Stratford which resulted in another short corner, from which Rachel scored a cracking goal! Towards the end of the first half, Nuneaton equalised leaving it 1-1 at half time. The second half started with Stratford commanding play, leading to plenty of attacks on goal. Hayley Nicholls (captain), Emma Davies, Jet Heyworth and Rachel Kent worked well covering the pitch and presenting the ball to Louisa Heyworth and Holly Outhwaite. Louisa took on the keeper and scored, resulting in Stratford leading 2-1! The whole team worked really hard to keep the lead which showed in the number of shots on goal and the amount of possession Stratford had. Nuneaton had a strong team with a great keeper who worked well under the pressure that Stratford put her under. A stunning effort from everyone kept the final score at 2-1 to Stratford, a win well deserved. On behalf of the team a massive thank you to Andy (coach) for the support he has given us.

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Stratford IV 3 Worcester VI 5
 
Stratford looking for a comfortable win in their last match of the campaign were in for a rude shock. A marauding Worcester soon had them on the ropes and well worked goals soon saw Stratford 2-0 down within 20 minutes. It could have been worse but Simon Banker earnt his bonus with a goal line clearance to keep Stratford in it. Scott Hazell and Alex Orchard put a bit of steel into the midfield and then captain Giles Stagg scored a crashing exocet of a shot into the backboard.
Stratford poured on the pressure and the equaliser came with a rapier of a shot by Nigel Wood from a short corner. Ed Hogg nearly gave Stratford the lead but his penalty stroke rattled the post.
The second half was nip and tuck with Mark Newnam and Peter Gunnell redoubtable in defense and Simon Harrison and Ben Woodhams sparkling up front. Ben gave Stratford the lead with a typical strikers goal.
A freak accident changed the course of the game, Orchard colliding with Wood splitting his lip and injuring his own foot. In a desperate unsuccessful attempt to save the resulting shot Dave Dunnett injured his thigh. After expert medical attention Orchard and goalkeeper Dunnett had to go off leaving Stratford with 9 men. They heroically held out as Worcester laid siege to the Stratford goal. The dam finally burst and Worcester clinched the match with two well taken goals. A disappointing end to what otherwise has been a good season.

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Re: Hockey Match Report Stratford 3rd's played on 21 March

Hockey match report. Barford Tigers 3^rd's vs Stratford 3^rd's. (Stratford were away)

Result: Barford 3 – Stratford 4

Stratford faced Barford away this weekend in their last league match of the season. Barford took first blood when they scored their first and dominated the first half of the match. Valiant Eric Furby diving magnificently to make a crutial tackle, was injured in the tackle and had to go off to receive medical treatment. This forced a change which saved the day for Stratford as evergreen Wood took up the sweepers spot and masterminded the construction of a defensive platform crucial to turning the match around, with building block's Austin, Stagg, Cawthorn and Hooker buoying up the team.

The second half saw Stratford come out all cylinders firing, fresh from an awe inspiring team talk by Captain McBride, one spectator commented "What did he (McBride) give those players during the break?" The answer, of course, was a heavy dose of motivation.

Stratford showed their ilk by digging deep, notably the injured Townsin playing through the pain and skipping round the opposition. This helped Stratford in making devastating breaks, the first came from Ed Hogg, with a well worked passing move swiftly up the pitch for Davey to lay up Hogg who's finish almost ripped the net. The next goal came from a defense splitting run by Dave Black, the ball found it's way to Davey who rocketed the ball past a frozen Barford keeper to bring the game back into Stratord's hands. Next up McBride, who startred the move from right back, followed up and was rewarded with Davey's deflection falling nicely into his path, McBride picked his spot and thrust home for Stratford's third goal. Barford pulled a goal back when their new sub came onto the field and caught Stratford unawares with his fresh legs. But it was stalwart Dave Bird who finished the game off with a short corner routine improvisation, when he was unable to set up Davey, Bird took it upon himself to drag flick with such fineness, it was likened to a kingfisher breaking the surface.

Stratford's Captain McBride commented after the match "A great game and a fitting end to a great season, with Stratford 3's finishing soundly mid -table in this higher league, I'm overjoyed with the boys performance. Roll on next season!"

Hockey Match Report Stratford 3rd's played on 21 March

Dear Sports Editor at the Herald,

Thank you for all your support over the season from all the Stratford teams, and especially the 3rd team. Your correction of our poor grammer has been greatly received!

 

Regards

Keith McBride

 

Hockey match report. Khalsa 3^rd's vs Stratford 3^rd's. (Stratford were away)

Result: Barford 3 – Stratford 4

 

 

Stratford faced Barford away this weekend in their last league match of the season. Barford took first blood when they scored their first and dominated the first half of the match. Valiant Eric Furby diving magnificently to make a crutial tackle, was injured in the tackle and had to go off to receive medical treatment.  This forced a change which saved the day for Stratford as evergreen Wood took up the sweepers spot and masterminded the construction of a defensive platform crucial to turning the match around, with building block's Austin, Stagg, Cawthorn and Hooker buoying up the team.

 

The second half saw Stratford come out all cylinders firing, fresh from an awe inspiring team talk by Captain McBride, one spectator commented "What did he (McBride) give those players during the break?" The answer, of course, was a heavy dose of motivation.

 

Stratford showed their ilk by digging deep, notably the injured Townsin playing through the pain and skipping round the opposition. This helped Stratford in making devastating breaks, the first came from Ed Hogg, with a well worked passing move swiftly up the pitch for Davey to lay up Hogg who's finish almost ripped the net. The next goal came from a defense splitting run by Dave Black, the ball found it's way to Davey who rocketed the ball past a frozen Barford keeper to bring the game back into Stratord's hands. Next up McBride, who startred the move from right back, followed up and was rewarded with Davey's deflection falling nicely into his path, McBride picked his spot and thrust home for Stratford's third goal. Barford pulled a goal back when their new sub came onto the field and caught Stratford unawares with his fresh legs. But it was stalwart Dave Bird who finished the game off with a short corner routine improvisation, when he was unable to set up Davey, Bird took it upon himself to drag flick with such fineness, it was likened to a kingfisher breaking the surface. 

 

Stratford's Captain McBride commented after the match "A great game and a fitting end to a great season, with Stratford 3's finishing soundly mid -table in this higher league, I'm overjoyed with the boys performance. Roll on next season!"

 

Worcester V 2 Stratford IV 1
 
Stratford travelled to high flying Worcester expecting a severe test of character. Delayed by a medical emergency Nigel Wood arrived late to marshall an under pressure defense with Worcester on the offensive. Stalwarts Trevor Handcock and Simon Cossey defended well against a lively and youthful Worcester attack.
Simeon Ashlet went close on the breakaway with good support from a lumbering Simon Harrison. Giles Stagg dominated the midfield with Robbie Foster lending good support on the right hand side, the sides were locked at 0-0 as the half time whistle blew.
The second half started with a bang, just back from suspension John Blackwall went on a mazy dribble before cracking a powerful shot passed a despairing keeper. Worcester redoubled their efforts and attacked relentlessly. Dave Dunnett in the Stratford goal pulled off a string of saves before Worcester equalised from a short corner. Robbie Foster nearly won it at the death with a fierce shot that narrowly missed the far post, with the last move of the game Worcester worked their way into the Stratford circle for one of their young strikers to stroke the ball home with the last hit of the game.
Worcester shaded it but Stratford could feel proud of their performance.
 

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Hockey Match report 13 Mar Stratford 3rd XI

Match report Hockey

Stratford 3^rd XI vs Kings Heath

Stratford at home.

Result Stratford 6 – Kings Heath 4

Stratford faced Kings Heath this Saturday, in what was sure to be a mid-table clash to remember. Kings Heath turned up with a depleted side, whereas Stratford had their strongest side out for the first time this half of the season. Despite this, Kings Heath took the lead against a sleeping Stratford and the visitors found themselves 3 goals up after only 15 minutes. Stratford's captain McBride make an inspirational tactical change which proved key to Stratford's performance, for almost instantly the home side were looking more structured and attacked to reduce the deficit. The rejuvenated defence marshalled by the sprightly Ainscough helped Stratford bring the score to a more attainable 3-2 at the half way mark. After the break Stratford came out all with sharpened darts, as Phil "the power" Davey converted a superbly taken ball in from Black to bring the game back into Stratford's control. Coache's trademark runs on the right flank ripping the Kings Heath defence apart, with the resultant cross's finding the net from Coldridge on two occasions. Townsin's relentless left mid battling put paid to Kings Heath's attacking midfield, and Bird's non stop movement in the pivot gave Stratford the all important structure. Whetstone, Austin and Miles all quashing the visitors strikers with prowess. All this added to a great spirited win for Stratford finishing 6-4, only marred by Kings Heath's bickering with the umpires resulting in them receiving two yellow cards and an early end to the game.

Hockey Stratford 3rd XI Match Report - Sat 6th March

Apologies for the lateness...

Hockey Stratford 3rd XI vs. Old Halesonians

Result: Stratford 2 – Old Hales 1

Headline suggestion:

Jonny 2 goals saves the day 

 

Stratford 3^rd team started with 11 fired up players determined to continue their winning form from last Saturday. Stratford went into the game with a positive mindset and won, gaining valuable points against a resilient Old Hales team, which at times felt as if they had had more players on the pitch than they should`ve!

In the first 15 minutes, the two teams were playing well and waiting for their opportunity to score; it was Stratford that struck first. Through skilful passing between McBride, E-man and Pug, Townsin forced a short corner. It was from this short corner that Stratford used their "Tactical Inside Transfer"  manoeuvre and Jonny BigRed scoring with a powerful shot to take the lead 1- 0. Old Hales scored the next goal putting Stratford on the back foot. Shortly before half time, Nigel Wood, with the speed of a cheetah, saved the ball on the line from a well worked passing move by Old Hales. After another passionate half time team talk from Captain McBride and despite Old Hales having better possession in the last quarter of the game, Stratford fought hard to hold on and forced another short corner in the last few minutes, resulting in another great strike and Jonny BigRed`s second goal of the day. A great team effort resulting in a win and a final score of 2-1 to Stratford.

FW: Match report Hockey

Stratford 1st team Match report

Gordon Wright

>
> West Midlands Premier Division
>
> Stratford 0 v 2 West Bromwich
>
> After suffering a first defeat of the season last time out, Stratford's
> promotion hopes remained in their own hands when welcoming bottom of the
> table West Bromwich to Stratford High School.
>
> Missing several key players due to injury and unavailability, the home
> side needed to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat suffered at Shrewbury when
> once again under strength, but despite enjoying the major share of
> territory and possession, the disciplined visitors staged something of a
> smash and grab raid and secured three points which gives them hope of
> avoiding relegation.
>
> The first five minutes encapsulated the story of the game with bright
> Stratford approach play freeing up James Brookes one-on-one with the West
> Brom 'keeper. Brookes attempted to chip the 'keeper only to see his
> effort tipped to safety. It was to be the first of a number of fine
> saves.
>
> One minute later and a fast counter-attack from West Brom saw them rip
> through the Stratford defence and only a lack of composure in front of
> goal and soem desparate defending kept the sides level.
>
> Throughout the game, Stratford created regular chances from open play,
> whilst also threatening from half a dozen short corners. Brookes, Leary,
> Ricketts, McKee, Guise and Howkins mnight all have scored on different
> days but the West Brom goalkeeper produced numerous excellent saves,
> displaying quick reflexes and enjoying the occasional slice of luck in
> securing a first clean sheet of the season.
>
> Unsurprisingly, the visitors relied on massed defensive ranks from the off
> to limit the home team's goalscoring threat, but their structured approach
> to the game paid dividens when they seized on a Stratford error to break
> quickly midway through the first half and take the lead.
>
> A near duplicate break in the second half again saw Stratford
> over-committed in attack and an exposed Martin Helliker in the home goal
> was unable to prevent the visitors doubling their advantage.
>
> Despite laying seige to the West Brom goal and camping almost exclusively
> in the West Brom half, Stratford were unable to rescue the game and now
> find themselves four points off the promotion pace with four games to
> play. Given Stratford still have both promotion rivals to play, there
> remains hope of Midlands 1 hockey next season. However, anything less
> than a win this Saturday away at top of the table Wolverhampton will mean
> a season which promised much will be one of rpogress only and not
> promotion.
>
>
> Hope this is okay ?
>
>
> Cheers
> Andy
>
>
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Hockey match report 27 Feb Stratford 3rd XI

Hockey Stratford 3rd XI vs Wolverhampton

Result: Stratford 6 - Wolvs 4

Headline suggestion:

 

Stratford slay the Wolves 

Stratford 3^rd team started with a bare 11 fired up players determined to get the first points of the season against an in form Wolverhampton team.

Against the run of play Wolverhampton scored the first two goals putting Stratford on the back foot. A good poached goal from Philip "the power" Davey followed by a missed flick from Big Red and then a superbly taken 2^nd goal from Davey saw the two sides level at half time. A rousing team talk from the passionate Captain McBride led the 3s into what was to be a battle royal of a second half! A dramatic and hard fought second half resulted in Big Red banishing the demons of the missed flick, solidly thudding home attempt number two before two more goals from youngster Davey (a total of 4 on his debut). This took Stratford into a 5-4 lead. A superb passing move was finished by the committed McBride diving through to slot the winner on the final whistle. The third team are doing well to hold their mid table position in the highest league they have played in.