Stronstad United vs Drayton FC
Match Facts
· Stronstad are currently 5th with 19 points from 12 games while today opponents are 9th with 3 points from 13 games
· Stronstad’s last outing was a 5-1 win against AC Copnor with Dan Moore, Ian Privett, Roger Campbell, Jimmy Toove and Mark Gear scoring. Drayton’s last match was a 3-1 win against Newcombe Arms Blues.
· A win for Stronstad would see them stay in 5th place while a draw or defeat and a win for Icomm FC against Lord Chichester would see them go above them.
Other Fixtures:-
· AC Copnor vs Prince of Wales
· Cowplain United Xi’s vs Newcombe Arms Blues
· Icomm FC vs Lord Chichester
1st Half Action From Farlington Marshes
After last week’s excellent win against AC Copnor, Stronstad took on a Drayton FC team who were fighting relegation and after their last match win against Newcombe Arms Blues both teams were in for a big match. Stronsatd wanted to start better than what they did against AC Copnor last week but unfortunately this was not the case as Drayton FC came out the starting blocks flying and put Stronstad under some heavy pressure by forcing some early corners and from one of the corners lady luck was on captain Gareth Spicer’s side as he glanced a header from a Drayton FC corner which flew towards the far post and rebounded back out to the gratefully Robert Pearson who dived on the loose ball.
At the other end Stronstad did not really test the Drayton FC keeper but on 15 minutes they got the opening goal. Drayton FC lost possession on the halfway line and the ball fell to Dave George whose defence splitting pass released Dan Moore who coolly went around the Drayton FC keeper before slotting into the empty net to give Stronstad the lead against the run of play. Straight from the restart Drayton FC were back level as a chipped ball over the two centre backs of Stronstad saw the Drayton FC striker run through before slotting past Robert Pearson to draw his team level 20 seconds after conceding.
After that goal went in the match was an end to end affair with both teams looking to get the all important second goal.
Stronstad had a chance to take the lead with Jimmy Toove’s control and volley going wide while Dave George tried his luck from long range which went a few yards wide. Ian Privett also saw his effort fly well wide. Roger Campbell fresh from his write up in the Sports Mail saw his effort go straight down the throat of the Drayton FC goalkeeper from long range. At the other end Robert Pearson made a smart save as a Drayton FC player took aim from long range which was going into the top corner but Robert Pearson flew across goal and turned it away. Drayton FC then came within a lick of paint away from taking the lead as a close range shot from the Drayton FC player was deflected by Gareth Spicer onto the bar and over with Robert Pearson well beaten.
Half Time:- Stronstad Utd 1 Drayton FC 1
2nd Half Action From Farlington Marshes
Stronstad went out for the second half looking to put pressure on Drayton FC and after the words from captain Gareth Spicer and manager Andy “Stampy” Stamp they did not want to disappoint.
From the off Stronstad put Drayton FC under pressure but could not get the important 2nd goal with Jimmy Toove seeing a stinging effort well held by the Drayton FC keeper and Jeff Needham seeing his close range header from a corner saved on the line.
20 minutes into the second half Stronstad regained the lead. Roger Campbell collected the ball and then advanced towards the edge of the Drayton FC penalty area where his chipped through ball found Ian Privett who chipped the advancing Drayton FC keeper and into the net to make the score 2-1 to Stronstad.
Drayton continued to pressure Stronstad but captain Gareth Spicer and Jeff Needham were standing firm with Jon Way and Travis Wilson supporting the back four but they had to be aware of the Drayton FC attack. From one of the Drayton FC attacks they almost got a goal back as a driving shot hit the top of the bar and bounced out where Jon Way was on hand to complete the clearance.
At the other end Luke Roystone tried his luck from 25 yards out but his effort flew over and again Jeff Needham almost got his name on the score sheet as he was unable to convert a spilled chance by the Drayton FC keeper who recovered well and flicked the ball away just as Jeff Needham came in to convert the chance.
At the other end Drayton FC appealed for a penalty as Luke Roystone used his chest to control the ball in the box but the referee waved the appeals away but Drayton FC took their protest a little far and they had two players booked.
With time running out Drayton FC had one more chance to snatch a draw but a shot from just inside the penalty area clipped the top of the bar and over.
Full Time:- Stronstad Utd 2 Drayton FC 1
Next Up:-
Stronstad’s next two games are against title chasing teams with Cowplain United Xi’s then J.T.C Rovers. Both these games are away matches
