It was raining goals at Farlington today as Stronstad hit double figures for the second time this season against a Froddy Arms team.
To most players the rain that was coming down was a sign that it would not be on but to there surprise the game was on and I think that most players were happy that it was on.
After last weeks win against GB Utd, Stronstad knew that this game would have been slightly easier and it proved that as Stronstad ran in 5 goals in the first half but to be honested it could have been 7 or 8 at half time.
Stronstad started with a 4-5-1 formation, which has serviced them so well this season and right from the word go Stronstad had Froddy Arms under heavy pressure and after only 5 minutes the first goal of the game was scored. James Clarke raced down the right wing beating his man for pace. His cross rolled across the goal but was collected by Rod Robertson who squared the ball to Robert Pearson who scored his 2nd goal of the season from close range.
It was soon 2-0 as Nick Crocker in his last game managed to evade a Froddy Arms players attempt to bring him down before beating the keeper at his near post for 2-0.
As the rain came down the ball was zipping off the wet ground and this was working well for Stronstad who were getting their passing game going and it created plenty of chances for Stronstad.
Stronstad were driving forward and it was from a ball that was won in midfield that Stronstad scored a 3rd goal as Nick Crocker got to the bye-line and his cut back found Mark Betteridge who steamed in and scored from close range for 3-0.
Stronstad then made it 4-0 as Stronstad forced a corner and from the resulting corner Robert Pearson picked Nick Crocker out in a crowded penalty area who powered a header home from close range to make the score 4-0.
Froddy Arms could not get going and with Gareth Spicer, Rod Robertson and Nick Crocker bossing the midfield they did not really stand a chance. When they did find a way through they then came up against a well-organised defence with Andy Scanlon and Jeff Needham clearing and potential threat Froddy Arms had to offer.
It was then 5-0 as Rod Robertson won the ball in centre midfield and he then fed the ball to Robert Pearson who placed an inch perfect ball to James Clarke who beat the Froddy Arms keeper and scored for his first of the day and Stronstad’s well deserved 5th.
Half Time Froddy Arms 0 Stronstad Utd 5
It was more of the same in the second half as Stronstad put Froddy Arms under more heavy pressure and they did not have to wait long as James Clarke got his second of the game after a great passing move that saw the ball being moved from one side of the pitch to the other in 3 passes and it was Gareth Spicer’s through ball that released James Clarke who thumped his shot into the top corner.
It was then 7-0 as Stronstad won another corner and from the corner from Robert Pearson, Jorge Morrison-Cooke powered a header from the back post into the net for his 2nd of the season and Stronstad were now in 7 heaven.
At the other end Ian Privett was having a quiet game but had to be on his toes as he some how blocked a shot from the Froddy striker but some how the Froddy player managed to miss an open goal from 5 yards to sum up his teams day.
Froddy were having to deal with wave after wave of Stronstad attacks and it was from yet another set play that Stronstad got their 8th goal as another corner from Robert Pearson was fumbled by the Froddy Arms goalkeeper and Nick Crocker was there to stab home from close range for his hat trick on his final appearance.
It was then 9-0 as James Clarke competed his hat trick after a defensive mistake from the Froddy defender gave James Clarke the chance to go in 50-50 with the keeper before getting up and slotting the ball from close range for his 2nd hat trick of the season.
Before the end of the game it was 10-0 as a quick counter attacksaw the ball placed out to Robert Pearson and his cross to the far post was headed home by Gareth Spicer to cap off a great all round performance and another 3 points.
Full Time – Froddy Arms – Stronstad Utd 10
