Stronstad are going from strength to strength with each game and Stronstad showed plenty of fight and spirit to progress to the semi final of the Adelaide Cup for the first team in their history with a great 3-0 victory against division 4 Freehouse FC.
The game was in doubt after the referee checked the pitch over after a heavy downpour of rain the night before but the referee gave the match the go ahead.
Freehouse FC had the wind behind them and even though they did they did not really test Stronstad in the early exchanges but it was the underdogs Stronstad Utd who were asking questions with James Clarke who was returning to the line up who tested the keeper early but his tamed effort was gathered by the keeper.
To be fair it was Stronstad that was taking the game to Freehouse FC and almost took the lead as Robert Pearson closed the Freehouse FC keeper down but his poor kick hit Pearson but instead of squaring the ball to Rod Robertson he chose the wrong option and shot for goal but was unable to beat the defender on the line.
Stronstad were asking questions of the Freehouse FC defence and they could have had a goal as a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Mark Betteridge but his shot was blazed over the bar.
Yet another chance fell to Stronstad Utd as Gary Cowell got to the by-line and crossed the ball in and as the ball fell to Rod Robertosn his tamed effort was right at the keeper and he easily gathered the ball.
At the other end Stronstad gave a sloppy free kick away out on the Stronstad right and as the ball was swung in the ball found its was to the Freehouse FC striker and as his effort lopped towards goal it dropped in with Ian Privett rooted to the spot but as Freehouse FC went away to celebrate there joy was short lived as the linesman had his flag up and the goal was ruled out.
Just before half time the opening goal was scored as a ball from the Stronstad left wing by Rod Robertson found Robert Pearson in the box and he laid the ball off for Mark Betteridge to place a low shot into the back of Freehouse FC net to make the score 1-0 to the Blue Brazil aka Stronstad Utd
Half Time Stronstad Utd 1 Freehouse FC 0
The goal came at a great time for Stronstad and after a quick chat it was back to business. With the wind behind them Stronstad looked to take the game to Freehouse FC but it was Freehouse FC who was asking questions of the Stronstad defence and only some solid defending from the back four who were putting everything to stop Freehouse FC scoring. When Stronstad did get going they were putting some great passing moves together and really they should have been 2-0 up after a great runs from James Clarke and his cross found Robert Pearson but his first time shot was blasted wide.
If everyone thought that was a great chance Stronstad got an even better chance as a long throw from Robert Pearson found Gary Cowell in the Freehouse FC penalty area and he was halted by a high foot and the referee awarded a penalty to Stronstad Utd.
Up stepped captain Andy Scanlon but the Freehouse FC goalkeeper easily saved his weak effort and Stronstad had wasted a golden chance to put the game to bed.
To be fair the Freehouse FC goalkeeper kept Freehouse FC in the game and he made a quite unbelievable save from Rich Gillam. The ball was about 45+ yards out and with a strong wind Rich Gillam launched the ball towards goal. The ball was heading for the top corner but some how the keeper threw an arm up and turned the ball around the post for a corner. Some players could not believe that the keeper saved the ball. If the keeper had not put his hand up we could have witnessed the goal of the season.
In defence Stronstad were looking very strong with Jeff Needham back in the starting line up having a solid game along with newly married man Jorge Morrison-Cooke, Rich Gillam and the captain Andy Scanlon who was still reeling from missing a penalty.
Freehouse FC were putting Stronstad under really heavy pressure and only good fortune saved Stronstad on a couple of occasions as a big puddle just inside the penalty area stopped Freehouse FC when they were looking to pull the trigger.
In the 70th minute Stronstad did get the killer 2nd goal as a quick counter attack saw Jon Way win a tackle and release Robert Pearson on the half way line. With one Freehouse FC player to beat Robert Pearson did a Rivaldo like flick to beat his man and run towards goal before slotting home to send the Stronstad team into delight.
Stronstad almost shot themselves in the foot as a ball into their box should have been gathered by Ian Privett who called for the ball but captain Andy Scanlon passed the ball back and gave away an in direct free kick. It was a nervous time as a free kick yards from the goal but the wall held firm and the ball was deflected for a corner.
With time running out Stronstad got a killer 3rd goal as James Clarke skinned him man and his deflected cross shot was parried by the Freehouse FC keeper and Dan Moore was on hand to slot the ball into the empty net.
Full Time Stronstad Utd 3 Freehouse FC 0
