After tears, anger and frustration it was a happy day for Stronstad Utd as they picked up their first 3 points of the season at the expense of Cosham Blues in the battle of the bottom two teams in Division 3.
First Half Action
From the first whistle this game was an end-to-end affair with both teams looking to get an early foot hold of the match and to be honest it could have been 3-3 after only 10 minutes of play.
Cosham Blues had the first chance but their player failed to test Mark Betteridge then Dan Moore was put through on goal but failed to pull the trigger in time and the ball was cleared for a corner.
Cosham Blues almost took the lead but a curling effort that had Mark Betteridge scrambling across the goal crashed off the post and out for a goal kick.
James Clarke was then put through but failed to connect with the ball and it went harmlessly wide.
Stronstad were then given a get chance to take the lead after a defence splitting pass released James Clarke who was brought down in the box for a penalty. The referee did not produce the red card but a yellow for the offender.
Goalkeeper Mark Betteridge steeped up but the Cosham Blues goalkeeper saved his penalty and to show his frustration Mark Betteridge kicked the ball at the keeper to earn himself a yellow card.
The game was being played at a fast pace and really against the run of play the opening goal was scored. A long ball forward to the Stronstad left back position was not dealt with by Rich Gillam, this allowed the Cosham Blues striker to steal the ball off him and then advance into the Stronstad box where he sent a powerful shot into the roof of the net for 1-0 to Cosham Blues.
As Rich Gillam pointed out after this game that this was his second howler in 3 games. The first being the mistake that let Wightlink score their opener in the 3-3 match the other week.
Stronstad never gave up and they got back into the game with a well-placed goal from Gary Cowell. Ian Privett won the ball in midfield before switching the play to the left wing where Gary Cowell beat his man with some great skill before curling a shot home with the Cosham Blues keeper having little chance to draw the teams level.
This definitely lifted Stronstad and they continued to pressure and were rewarded with a series of corners but could not beat the Cosham Blues goalkeeper.
Stronstad then got the second goal before half time. It was great play again from Stronstad as Gary Cowell beat his man in the box and was brought down by the defender and a second penalty was awarded. Up stepped Ian Privett who converted to make the score 2-1.
Half Time:- Stronstad Utd 2 Cosham Blues 1
It was the same for the second half as both teams battled hard to get control of the game but it was Stronstad that looked likely to get a goal and it was not long before Stronstad went 3-1 up. A corner from Ian Privett was not dealt with by the Cosham Blues defence and James Clarke who had been causing trouble all game turned and fired into the bottom corner to make the score 3-1.
Stronstad then played some nice passing football and could have had more goals but failed to test the Cosham Blues goalkeeper on a number of occasions with Ian Privett’s diving header going wide and James Clarke’s header tipped over. But soon after that it was 4-1. Andy Stamp brought off Rich Gillam for Steve Beech and it was Steve Beech that scored. Jeff Needham had intercepted a Cosham Blues through ball before launching a long ball down field where Steve Beech controlled the ball before lobbing the keeper from just outside the area. This was Steve Beech’s second goal of the season and this put the game to bed.
Stronstad then piled forward and they kept up a good record as so far Cosham Blues had conceded an average of 5 goals a game and Stronstad joined that club with a well-taken 5th goal. Nick Crocker who was moved out of defence to centre midfield won the ball and steamed to the Cosham Blues left back position and his cross was missed by the Cosham Blues defence. The ball made its way to Dan Moore who unleashed a powerful shot that hit the bar then keeper and in for 5-1.
It could have been more goals again for Stronstad as Steve Beech’s attempted lob went wide then a turn and shot from the same player drifted wide.
At the other end Mark Betteridge had to be at his best as Cosham Blues had a few chances but found Mark Betteridge in top form.
Full Time:- Stronstad Utd 5 Cosham Blues 1
