Stratford 5th 3 Sutton Coldfield 7th 2 (Played Sunday 31st Jan)
Taking to the pitch Stratford had a shakey start conceding an early goal from a Sutton break, Stratford quickly regained composure and settled into the game with the midfield putting together some slick passes working the ball from side to side. A perfect crossfield ball from Townsin was picked up by Alex Squance, he laid it off to captain Havers who fired the ball into the top left corner to bring Stratford back level. Sutton continued to pressure the Stratford defense gaining short corner after short corner but they could find no way through the expert keeping of Stuart Hooker and the goaline clearences of Mark Newman.
The second half saw Sutton push hard upfield and link together some great passes to again go one goal ahead. After the restart Stratford used the pace of the youth and experience of the older players to charge through the opposition midfield and gain a short corner, Bettison injected the ball to Stagg who sent it like a rocket inside the right post with the composure only before seen by Nigel Wood. Taking the upper hand and with about 5 minutes to go Joe Patrick released the ball to Gordon Wright down the left side who passed two Sutton players then released the ball to Squance who danced round the defense to flick the ball into the back of the net to give Stratford the winning goal. A big thankyou to the parents and supporters who came to watch the game.
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Sunday, 31 January 2010
Edgbaston 6th 1 Stratford 4th 2
The game started similar to last weeks performance, the first half of the match was very close with neither side breaking the deadlock. However Edgbaston did have a goal disallowed, Stratford equally had some good chances at the other end but were unable to convert.
The half time team talk came under the supervision of the 4s new manager, this gave the team new motivation and they quickly picked up the pace. Despite Stratford's best efforts Edgbaston scored to go one up after a quick break. Stratford quickly responded by an exchange of passing between Phil Davey and Ed Hogg for Hogg to fire the ball into the top corner and make it one a piece. Stratford then had the edge to power in another spectacular goal when Orchard and Davey linked to set up Hogg for his second. Only the best savesd from keeper Dave Dunnett and the defensive co-ordination of Simon Cossey, Gunnell, Bruns and Whetstone kept Stratford in the game. Gunnell went on a rampage down the line, unfortunately launching his stick into a crowd of the opposition whilst trying to hit the ball. Townsin, Stagg and Furby kept up the midfield pressure and linked well to create further chances for Stratford as well as defending bravely against a young and pacey team.
Manager Moo gave man of the match to Ed Hogg and stated that "It was a good win for the team against a strong opposition."
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The game started similar to last weeks performance, the first half of the match was very close with neither side breaking the deadlock. However Edgbaston did have a goal disallowed, Stratford equally had some good chances at the other end but were unable to convert.
The half time team talk came under the supervision of the 4s new manager, this gave the team new motivation and they quickly picked up the pace. Despite Stratford's best efforts Edgbaston scored to go one up after a quick break. Stratford quickly responded by an exchange of passing between Phil Davey and Ed Hogg for Hogg to fire the ball into the top corner and make it one a piece. Stratford then had the edge to power in another spectacular goal when Orchard and Davey linked to set up Hogg for his second. Only the best savesd from keeper Dave Dunnett and the defensive co-ordination of Simon Cossey, Gunnell, Bruns and Whetstone kept Stratford in the game. Gunnell went on a rampage down the line, unfortunately launching his stick into a crowd of the opposition whilst trying to hit the ball. Townsin, Stagg and Furby kept up the midfield pressure and linked well to create further chances for Stratford as well as defending bravely against a young and pacey team.
Manager Moo gave man of the match to Ed Hogg and stated that "It was a good win for the team against a strong opposition."
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Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Stratford IV 2 Warwick 0
Stratford bounced back after their disappointing result last week, in a fiercely contested local derby with Warwick. An even 1st half lacked any memorable moments and the sides changed ends at 0-0.
Stratford stepped up to the plate in the 2nd half and began to move the ballwith Alex Orchard, Eric Furby and Giles Stagg playing neat little triangles, upping the pressure on Warwick.Stratford broke the deadlock with Ben Woodhams and Phil Davey exchanging passes for Ben to sneak the ball in. Stratford continued to dominate and Philip Davey scored a cracking goal from an acute angle to make it 2-0. Philip's 1st goal for the club and it certainly won't be his last! Ed Hogg had Warwick cowering with a super drag flick which would have made the game safe but rebounded off the post.
Nigel Wood back to marshall the defense opened up an old surgical wound and despite blood dripping from his stick was in position to stop a powerful Warwick shot on the goaline. Dave Dunnett made 2 fine saves to keep Stratford in front to keep a clean sheet and secure a valuable 3 points.
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Stratford bounced back after their disappointing result last week, in a fiercely contested local derby with Warwick. An even 1st half lacked any memorable moments and the sides changed ends at 0-0.
Stratford stepped up to the plate in the 2nd half and began to move the ballwith Alex Orchard, Eric Furby and Giles Stagg playing neat little triangles, upping the pressure on Warwick.Stratford broke the deadlock with Ben Woodhams and Phil Davey exchanging passes for Ben to sneak the ball in. Stratford continued to dominate and Philip Davey scored a cracking goal from an acute angle to make it 2-0. Philip's 1st goal for the club and it certainly won't be his last! Ed Hogg had Warwick cowering with a super drag flick which would have made the game safe but rebounded off the post.
Nigel Wood back to marshall the defense opened up an old surgical wound and despite blood dripping from his stick was in position to stop a powerful Warwick shot on the goaline. Dave Dunnett made 2 fine saves to keep Stratford in front to keep a clean sheet and secure a valuable 3 points.
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Monday, 25 January 2010
SPORT: Stratford hockey 3rd XI 23 Jan 2010
Stratford 3rd XI vs Leek 23/01/10
Result: 0-3
Stratford's first league game since early December was always going to be tough facing top of the league Leek, a team who have only dropped a couple of points all season.
The home side were on the back foot immediately, with lack of match practice clear for all to see. Leek scored 2 quick goals within the first 10 minutes, resulting from some slick passing in the final third and two well taken finishes. The third came after 15 minutes and that is how it remained. The second half brought a different Stratford, with polished passing from Coache and Black, but scoring chances ultimately proved hard to come by for both teams.
Next week sees Stratford take on 2nd place at home, with many positives to be taken from a stern second half performance.
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