Alan & Wright vs Stronstad Utd
Venue:- Farlington Marshes
Stronstad looked to put what they had done in training and the two practise matches into action against an Alan & Wright side who were looking to show their class against the mighty maroons
The opening affair was edgy as both teams looking to get their seasons off to a winning start and soon the tackles were flying in with Jeff Needham taking a whack on his nose which resulted in a blood break for the Stronstad Captain. Pete Hamilton was again playing like a rock with his key tackles and headers stopping Alan & Wright from gaining any advantage. To be fair Alan & Wright should have taken the lead as the ball over the top found the lively Alan & Wright striker but his weak effort was palmed around the post by Robert Pearson.
Alan & Wright took the lead with 20 minutes gone in the game. Stronstad had won a throw in deep in the Alan & Wright half but was wayward throw was collected by the Alan & Wright player whose quick pass forward found his team mate. The ball was held up and then another pass to the over lapping player was finished at Robert Pearson’s near post to make the score 1-0. It should have been 2-0 but for Rich Gillam managing to get back and put the Alan & Wright striker under pressure and he shanked his shot wide from just inside the box.
The best chances Stronstad had was after the goal a quick passing move and a ball delivered to the back post was diverted wide by James Clarke who had come steaming in.
After that chance every time Stronstad went forward they could not break down a stubborn defence and were coming up against a brick wall but they did have a sight of goal as a good passing move saw the ball laid off for Steve Beech but his effort was well held by the Alan & Wright goal keeper.
Stronstad were not having much luck upfront with Steve Beech being isolated by the two commanding centre backs for Alan & Wright but like all good strikers he battled away and was rewarded with a goal. New signing Dean Barlow collected the ball before driving towards goal and his square ball to Steve Beech was fired into the bottom corner of the net to draw Stronstad level.
This goal added some spice to the match and it was marred by a strong tackle from the Alan & Wright player who won the ball but went through Dan Barlow who had to leave the match with an injury and with Stronstad already using a sub earlier in the match another new signing Lloyd Adams.
At the other end new centre back pair of Peter Hamilton and Captain Jeff Needham was looking commanding and were winning a lot of aerial challenges.
Half Time:- Alan & Wright 1 Stronstad Utd 1
The second half kicked off with Stronstad looking to keep the good work up but it was Alan & Wright who came out the starting block the quickest but could not create any real chance for the tricky striker as the back four for Stronstad veteran Rich Gillam and another new signing Gareth Colley playing solid games.
Again against the run of play Stronstad took the lead for the first time in this match. Phil Ingram collected the ball before dancing his way down the wing before crossing a delightful ball to the little man Steve Beech who saw his header parried by the Alan & Wright keeper but the ball fell nicely for Steve Beech who from a yard out let fly into the empty net to make the score 2-1. The delight was etched all over Steve Beech’s face like the first time he listened to his Will Young CD as he looks to again collect the top goal scorer boot for the second season running.
This goal speared Alan & Wright on and they were quickly back in the game as a slide rule pass released the Alan & Wright striker who advanced on the Stronstad goal before slotting past the aging Robert Pearson to send his team mates into cheers as they were back in the game.
This game was turning into an end to end affair with both teams going close with Ian Privett trying his luck from 25 yards with a volley but managed to find the area between the penalty area and the corner flag but with 15 minutes to go Stronstad scored a 3rd goal and it came from an good old fashion route 1 kick. Alan & Wright gave the ball away so Robert Pearson collected the ball and moved it out of his area and with no challenge from the Alan & Wright strikers he pumped the ball forward which was miss judged by the Alan & Wright defender who’s back header bounced towards goal and the little man Steve Beech raced forward before leaping like a salmon out of water to head the ball over the Alan & Wright keeper and the ball rolled in to complete his hat trick and to make his day even better, news was going around that George Michael and Elton John were going to do a duet.
This game had more twists and turns than a ride at Alton Towers but there were still goals in this humdinger of a match and with 5 minutes to go Alan & Wright had scored again. The ball was worked out to the Stronstad left and with a quick turn of pace the Alan & Wright player had beaten Rich Gillam before crossing the ball into the box which alluded Robert Pearson and found its way to the back post where the Alan & Wright player managed to find the roof of the net to make the score 3-3. With time running out Alan & Wright had two excellent chances to win the game. First a cross was headed onto the bar with Robert Pearson well beaten and then ex Stronstad player Dan Moore saw his low drive saved by Robert Pearson. With extra time approaching and many Stronstad players carrying injuries and the prospect of another 30 minutes Stronstad decided to pass the ball around and they got the winning goal. The ball was played through to Steve Beech who ran through on goal but his run was stopped by what some might say a rugby tackle while others say it was a good old fashion 1970’s shoulder barge. As the referee blew his whistle and jogged over to the penalty spot and from the resulting penalty Ian Privett slotted into the far corner of the Alan & Wright net to seal the win and the passage to the 1st round of the cup.
Full Time:- Alan & Wright 3 Stronstad Utd 4
