Stronstad Utd vs AC Copnor (Portsmouth Dvision 2)
Big Match Facts:-
· Stronstad are currently 5th while AC Copnor are 8th with 9 points from 9 games
· A win for Stronstad would see them stay in 5th place while a draw or defeat and a win or draw for White House against Icomm FC will see them slip down to 8th if results go against them.
· Stronstad’s last league win was against Prince of Wales on the 14th November 4-3 while AC Copnor’s last win was against White House 4-3 on the 12th December.
Other Matches
· J.T.C Rovers (1st) vs Cowplain Xi’s (2nd)
· Newcome Arms Blue (10th) vs Drayton FC (9th)
· Prince of Wales (4th) vs Lord Chichester (3rd)
· White House (6th) vs Icomm FC (7th)
First Half Action for Rugby Campus
After last week’s heavy defeat to Cowplain Xi’s, Stronstad returned to league action looking to pick up an important win against an AC Copnor team that were looking to build on their last league victory against a hit and miss side White House. With key members of the team returning to action manager Andy Stamp was looking for a committed performance from his sides who have struggled of late.
With a strong wind behind them in the first half Stronstad started to play some decent football with players getting the ball on the desk and passing it around but they didn’t really test the AC Copnor goalkeeper. The first really chance fell to Robert Pearson but who attempted right foot lob drifted wide of the target.
At the other end Travis Wilson and captain Gareth Spicer were standing firm against the AC Copnor strike force and with Gary Cowell who dropped to right back and Jon Way providing cover Ian Privett’s goal looked safe.
Back at the other end Stronstad almost got the opening goal. Luke Roystone collected the ball on the wing before cutting in and making a move into the AC Copnor penalty area and as he got to the 6 yard box he lost control of the ball but Robert Pearson was on hand to fire a low drive which the AC Copnor defender managed to block and the ball looped over for a corner kick.
Still chances came and went for Stronstad as first new signing Jimmy Toove blasted a shot high and wide but not long after Stronstad took the lead. Dave George won the ball in midfield then his through ball found Robert Pearson who’s low shot clipped the inside of the post and in for 1-0. This goal lifted Stronstad but they almost shot themselves in the foot as captain Gareth Spicer’s sloppy pass was intercepted by the AC Copnor striker and he advanced towards goal but instead of finding the back of the net he blasted wide of Ian Privett’s goal. Back at the other end Stronstad should have had a second goal but first Jimmy Toove’s stinging drive was well parried by the AC Copnor goalkeeper and from the rebound Robert Pearson teed up Luke Roystone but his side footed effort went wide when he knew he should have done better.
Soon after this chance it was 1-1. Gareth Spicer brought down a AC Copnor player out on the wing and from the resulting free kick the ball was played to the far post where AC Copnor and Stronstad players battled for the ball but somehow from a tight angle the ball was squeezed home to the frustration for the Stronstad players.
AC Copnor then should have gone 2-1 up on a couple of occasions with first Ian Privett being strong and denying the AC Copnor player then a low drive across Ian Privett found the wrong side of the post then Gareth Spicer was in the right place at the right time as he managed to block a certain goal after the AC Copnor player got the better of Ian Privett.
At the other end Stronstad had their chances to go ahead with Jon Way stealing in at the back post but he was unable to hit the target from the edge of the 6 yard box and then Mark Gear’s attempted overhead kick was saved by the AC Copnor goalkeeper but with no Stronstad player around to convert the rebound the AC Copnor goalkeeper dived on the rebound.
Half Time:- Stronstad Utd 1 AC Copnor 1
The second half was a different affair as AC Copnor piled the pressure on Stronstad Utd using the wind to their advantage but they failed to break down a stubborn Stronstad defence with Travis Wilson and Gareth Spicer holding firm as wave after wave of AC Copnor attack came and went. The game was turning into a running battle between Gareth Spicer and the AC Copnor striker and this boiled over as Gareth Spicer was booked for a late tackle on the AC Copnor striker who was starting to lose his cool.
AC Copnor were piling the pressure on as they won a series of corners and it was all hands to the pump as the ball was played to the far post where Ian Privett managed to punch clear and on another occasion Luke Roystone was in the right place to head off the line.
At the other end Stronstad regained the lead through a penalty. Mark Gear collected the ball and danced through the AC Copnor defence before being halted in the box for a penalty. Up stepped Jimmy Toove who blasted the ball into the net to make the score 2-1 with 15 minutes to go.
Stronstad started to play some good football again and they got a third goal as Dave George’s inch perfect ball was collected by Mark Gear and from a tight angle found the roof of the net to seal the 3 points for Stronstad Utd. It could have been 4-1 as a 25 yard free kick from Dave George was brilliantly saved by the AC Copnor goalkeeper. With the score at 3-1 ASC Copnor won a corner and as a result the AC Copnor keeper came up for the corner which was cleared and the counter attack was on but in his over eagerness Dan Moore had strained offside and the chance went.
Just before full time AC Copnor pulled a goal back as Stronstad lost the ball just outside the penalty area and from 25 yards the ball was lobbed over Ian Privett and into the net.
Full Time:- Stronstad Utd 3 AC Copnor 2
