AC Copnor vs Stronstad Utd
Big Match Facts
· Stronstad won the first fixture against AC Copnor 3-2 with goals from Robert Pearson, Jimmy Toove (Penalty) and Mark Gear to seal the win.
· Stronstad’s last match was against Lord Chichester where they lost 1-0 while AC Copnor beat Newcombe Arms Blues 4-1 last week.
· A win for Stronstad would see them stay in 5th places while defeat for Stronstad could see the winners of Icomm FC and White House could see them go above Stronstad.
Other Matches
· Drayton FC vs Newcombe Arms Blues
· Icomm FC vs White House
· J.T.C Rovers vs Prince of Wales
First Half Action
After a month layoff due to weather issues Stronstad returned to action looking to get back to winning ways against an AC Copnor team who were buzzing after their 4-1 win last week against Newcombe Arms Blues.
Stronstad kicked off the first half playing into a fairly strong wind but their usual passing game had deserted them as passes were over hit and first control was letting players down in a low key opening. At the other end the returning Rich Gillam was given a handful at the back with the pace of the little AC Copnor winger but his end product was poor.
The game did not really get going until 15 minutes into the match as a flash point occurred as captain Gareth Spicer clashed with an AC Copnor player who got up and attempted to head butt the Stronstad captain which saw players from both sides pile in before players were pulled apart and the game resumed.
Not long after this the first goal of the game came. AC Copnor won a corner and from the resulting corner the ball was only half cleared by the Stronstad defence back to the AC Copnor corner taker and he had time to play a floated ball to the back post where an AC Copnor player headed the ball back into the mixer where the big AC Copnor player was on hand to head home from close range to make the score 1-0.
At the other end the Stronstad won a corner and from the resulting corner the ball was sliced up in the air by the AC Copnor defender and to his relief the ball landed on the roof of the net for another corner. Then it was AC Copnor turn to attack the Stronstad penalty area and as the AC Copnor player got into the box Rich Gillam brought him down for a penalty. From the resulting penalty from Brendon Bone he saw his effort brilliantly saved by Robert Pearson who dived full length across the goal before turning the ball around the post for a corner. Some players had already turned their backs ready for the kick off but Robert Pearson’s heroics saw him hugged and kissed by many of his team mates (you know who you are). Some players even said it was the best save they have ever seen.
At the other end Stronstad still battled away looking to get a goal back but Jimmy Toove saw his effort flash wide and Ian Privett failed to hit the target with a snap shot effort.
Half Time:- AC Copnor 1 Stronstad Utd 0
With the words of captain Gareth Spicer and manager Andy Stamp ringing in the Stronstad players ears Stronsatd went out for the second half looking to get back into the game and they got the perfect response. The ball was worked out to Dan Moore who got the ball just outside the AC Copnor penalty area before curling a delightful shot past the AC Copnor goalkeeper and into the bottom corner of the net. This goal was a perfect response and this lifted Stronstad from gear 1 to gear 3 straight away and they continued to put pressure on the AC Copnor goal and soon it was 2-1. The ball was worked into the AC Copnor penalty area to Ian Privett who with his back to goal jinxed the AC Copnor defender before placing a shot into the roof of the net to turn the match on its head.
At the other end the Stronstad back 4 was looking very tight with Rich Gillam, Jon Way, Gareth Spicer and Jeff Needham playing a solid game to defuse anything that AC Copnor could throw at them and with the returning champion Roger Campbell and Dave George driving the team forward it was only a matter of time before the next goal came and when it came it was in spectacular fashion. Jon Way had battled and won the ball deep in the AC Copnor half and his fired in cross found Roger Campbell on the edge of the AC Copnor box and he did brilliantly to bring the ball down then fire a volley which swerved past the AC Copnor goalkeeper and into the back of the net to make the score 3-1.
The goals kept coming and it was soon 4-1 as AC Copnor could not cope with the fast moving Stronstad team. Again it was another spectacular goal as Jimmy Toove advanced with the ball before blasting the ball into the roof of the net from just outside the box to seal the 3 points for Stronstad.
More chances came and went for Stronstad as first the returning James Clarke saw his effort fly wide then Dave George’s curling effort went inches wide and Jeff Needham seeing his rising effort turned over the bar by the AC Copnor goalkeeper.
With time running out Stronstad rubbed more salt into the wounds of AC Copnor by scoring a 5th goal. Mark Gear collected the ball before driving into the AC Copnor box before firing a low drive into the far corner to seal a great win for Stronstad.
Stronstad players were still talking about the goals and the world class penalty save from Robert Pearson and you can sense the buzz around the Stronstad camp as they enjoyed the game and the win.
Full Time:- AC Copnor 1 Stronstad Utd 5
Next up for Stronstad Utd is home match vs Drayton FC @ Farlington with a 10:30am kick off
