First Half action from Farlington Marshes
In the opening 10 minutes of the game AC Utd from the Solent League took the game to Stronstad as a nervous looking Stronstad team struggled to get to grips with the game but after riding out the storm Stronstad slowly started to get into the game.
AC Utd were putting some neat passing moves together and managed to put the ball into the Stronstad Utd net only to see the goal chalked off for offside after 15 minutes of action. At the other end Stronstad almost took the lead really against the run of play. Rich Gillam’s ball forward to Robert Pearson saw Pearson’s cross come shot roll across the penalty area to Dan Moore but his effort from a tight angle was tipped onto the bar by the AC Utd goalkeeper and off Dan Moore for a goal kick.
This lifted Stronstad Utd and they could and maybe should have taken the lead on several occasions with James Clarke with two headers going wide and over and also hitting the side netting when he could have laid the ball back and Robert Pearson’s header going wide but with 30 minutes gone Stronstad took the lead. A flowing move saw the ball worked out to Luke Roystone who cut inside before firing a low drive from 20 yards that took a slight deflection before settling into the back of the AC Utd goal to make the score 1-0 and give Luke Roystone his third goal in pre-season. For the rest of the half it was mainly Stronstad Utd as they created more chances but like the Westbourne FC game a couple of weeks ago they failed to take their chances. A free kick from Dave George which fizzed across the penalty area to the far post where 3 Stronstad Utd’s players all failed to get the important touch to convert the chance. From a cross from Rich Gillam, Nick Crocker saw his header tipped over.
At the other end Stronstad were defending well and breaking down the AC Utd attack with Rod Robertson and Jeff Needham making important blocks and with Gary Cowell looking to get forward on almost every attack Stronstad finished the half strong but had to settle with just one goal to show for their efforts.
Half Time:- Stronstad Utd 1 AC Utd 0
Manager Andy Stamp made a series of changes with Paul McKay, Jorge Morrison-Cooke, Jon Way, Roger Campbell and Steve Beech entering the action looking to press for a starting spot in the next match.
Stronstad kicked the second half off and almost doubled the lead straight away as a poor clearance from the AC Utd defender saw Roger Campbell collect the ball and charge forward but he lifted his shot over the bar when really he should had tested the AC Utd goalkeeper.
Like the end of the first half it was all Stronstad Utd as they looked most likely extend the lead with wave after wave of Stronstad attacks but still Stronstad failed to extend the lead. James Clarke tested the AC Utd keeper from long range which was turned away for a corner and from the resulting corner James Clarke rose the highest to head into the far corner to extend the lead.
At the other end some great defending from Paul McKay and a great block from Jon Way kept stand in keeper Mike’s goal safe. To be honest AC Utd failed to test the stand in keeper but the closest they came to scoring was from a long range effort that clipped the top of the bar and went over with Mike in no mans land.
Stronstad continued to press the AC Utd defence who were looking shaky and on another day if the Stronstad players had their shooting boots on the score could have been 5 or more. Roger Campbell failed to hit the target after Luke Roystone whose pace and skill was causing trouble all game cut the ball back but Roger’s effort was blocked by his own man. James Clarke had another header from a Dan Moore corner but this time it went high and wide. Luke Roystone had another effort at goal but his effort lacked power and was easily saved by the AC Utd keeper.
Stronstad then had the ball in the back of the AC Utd net as Dan Moore fired a shot in which might have been touched by Steve Beech and into the far corner but the linesman flag put an end to the celebrations.
Full Time:- Stronstad Utd 2 AC Utd 0
