Stronstad picked up another important 3 points this morning with a hard worked 1-0 win over 1664 FC.
On a nice day at Farlington the pitch was in excellent conditions compared to last weekends mud bath at King George.
Stronstad had to make a change to the team that started last weekends match against Watersedge with Adi Card replacing Ian Privett in goal and Rich Gillam fresh after competing in the Great South Run coming in at left back for Adi Card.
Mark Betteridge moved up front to partner Robert Pearson.
Right from the first whistle Stronstad put 1664 FC under some heavy pressure but were unable to break them down.
Stronstad won a series of corners, which almost lead to a goal through central defender Jorge Morrison-Cooke, but the 1664 FC keeper parried his header before being cleared to safety.
At the other end stand in keeper Adi Card was not real troubled by 1664 FC as they failed to get through the Stronstad defence.
The problem Stronstad were having was too many passes were being misplaced and this started to get a few players on each others backs and 1664 FC sensed this as they tried to get a foot hold in the match.
The match was turning uneventful as both teams cancelled each other out but on the stroke of half time Stronstad took the lead with a very scrappy goal from Robert Pearson.
The ball was played into the 1664 FC box and a big goalmouth scramble saw a Stronstad player turn the ball towards goal and as the ball rolled towards goal it hit the post and from a very tight angle it was Robert Pearson who blasted the ball home to score the games only goal.
Half Time Stronstad Utd 1 1664 FC 0
It was backs against the wall time as 1664 FC had a strong wind behind them and they took the game to Stronstad Utd but when Stronstad got the ball down and passed they started to create goal-scoring chances but failed to take them.
First was a chance for Dan Moore who took aim from just outside the penalty area but his effort just cleared the cross bar with the goal keeper stranded.
Next to try his luck was Rod Roberson who fired over from just inside the penalty area after good work from Robert Pearson and Dan Moore had created the chance.
Stronstad kept the pressure on and from a Robert Pearson corner Andy Scanlon rose the highest but the keeper gathered his powerful header.
The best chance though fell to Mark Betteridge after a ball into the 1664 FC box was missed by the 1664 FC defence and Mark Betteridge was left 1-on-1 with the 1664 FC keeper but his effort was well saved by the keeper.
At the other end like the first half Adi Card was a spectator as the defence was clearing any danger that 1664 FC could throw at them but from a rare 1664 FC corner they had a great chance to score but a 1664 FC player headed over when it would have been easier to score.
At the other end Stronstad should have been 2-0 up as a great cross from Gary Cowell found its way to the back post but Jon Way failed to hit the target with the keeper no where to be seen.
Stronstad then thought they had a penalty after Mark Betteridge got into the box and went down under a challenge but the referee said the 1664 FC player had won the ball.
10 minutes from time 1664 FC won a series of free kicks and throw ins from attacking positions and it was all hands to the pumps as the ball was launched into the box and it was great defending that saw the ball constantly cleared away from danger as Stronstad held on for a hard fought win.
Full Time Stronstad Utd 1 1664 FC 0
