When will Stronstad ever learn from their schoolboy mistakes?
Since the turn of 2009 Stronstad have struggled to recapture their excellent passing and supporting of each other that they had at the back end of 2008 and it was evident today as Stronstad blew a 3-1 lead to hang on for a draw against GB Utd.
With the knowledge that Park Academics were playing Watersedge in the 1st vs 2nd match a win for Stronstad would have put Stronstad firmly back in the title race but this was to be a very frustrating day at Alexandra Park the scene of Stronstad’s first league defeat of the season against FC Boca.
First half Action From Alexandra Park
Stronstad looked the sharper of the two teams with Brad White’s pace in the opening few minutes causing GB Utd trouble as teased the full back inside and out but was unable to pick a blue shirt in the penalty area.
Stronstad’s pressure should have resulted in more as Stronstad had two clear free kick appeals turned away by the referee.
Stronstad were playing some neat football and this created a chance for Rod Robertson who shot just over from just inside the GB Utd penalty area as GB Utd struggled with the 3 central midfielders in the open 10 minutes.
At the other end Stronstad had to be aware of the pace of the GB Utd attacker who was causing Jeff Needham and Andy Scanlon problems.
15 minutes into the game Stronstad took the lead. A ball into the GB Utd box was handled by the GB Utd player and from the resulting penalty Brad White took over the penalty duty from Robert Pearson who was dropped for the match smashed the ball home to give Stronstad a well-deserved lead.
GB Utd did not really cause Stronstad much threat as they used the long ball, which was handed well by Jeff Needham and Andy Scanlon who put their heads on all the high balls as Stronstad looked comfortable and in control of the match. 25 Minutes into the match Stronstad doubled their lead as a well flighted ball to the far post saw Brad White head the ball back into the danger zone and Steve Beech was there to volley into the top corner from 8 yards to make the score 2-0.
Stronstad were dealt a blow as Mark Betteridge was forced out the game with a stomach upset and Laurence Redman came on in his place.
Like some many games before Stronstad shot themselves in the foot as a ball back to Ian Privett was cleared as far as the GB Utd player who advanced on Ian Privett before slotting home to make the score 2-1 and a game that Stronstad were in control of now turned in GB Utd’s favour.
Stronstad were at 6’s and 7’s as GB Utd had that extra lift and they attacked Stronstad and should have really scored as a mistake at the back saw the GB Utd player advance on goal before seeing his shot turned around the post by Ian Privett when really he should have scored.
Half Time GB Utd 1 Stronstad Utd 3
In the second half with the wind behind them Stronstad went on the attack and scored a third goal through Steve Beech after he collected a through ball before slotting past the advancing GB Utd goalkeeper to give Stronstad a 3-1 lead.
This should have been the comfort zone that Stronstad needed but this would be there downfall.
With Stronstad looking comfortable they were passing the ball well but in the final third Stronstad ran into a wall of Maroon shirts as GB Utd looked like they were playing with 8 men in defence and using the counter attack to catch Stronstad out and it was from a quick counter attack that saw GB Utd pull a goal back after a ball was played into the Stronstad box and Jeff Needham miss timed his jump and as the ball went over his head the danger man for GB Utd controlled the ball before rolling it past Ian Privett from 6 yards to make the score 3-2.
Stronstad needed to raise their game and came close to extending the lead as first a Gary Cowell jump and under headed towards the GB Utd goal only to be turned over by the GB Utd keeper at the expense of a Stronstad corner.
Steve Beech then came inches close as he burst into the box and saw his cross-come-shot flash wide of the far post.
Then Stronstad gifted GB Utd a goal with yet another defensive mistake. A ball into the Stronstad box should have been easily cleared from captain Andy Scanlon but instead of clearing he turned the attack and then tried to clear the ball which only found the GB Utd striker inside the area and he slotted past Ian Privett and into the net to make the score 3-3 and yet another goal that Stronstad gifted GB Utd.
This caused the usual finger pointing and slagging off between the Stronstad players and they were almost punished again as the GB Utd striker who had caused problems all morning had a run on goal and as he advanced on Adi Card (Ian Privett came out of goal) he slotted the ball towards goal but Andy Scanlon made up for his mistake and cleared the ball to safety.
Stronstad huffed and puffed but could not force a winner. Ian Privett made some room in the box but saw his effort deflected for a corner. Jeff Needham headed Stronstad’s best chance fell to Jeff Needham from the resulting conrer after Ian Privett’s flighted corner wide from 6 yards out and Stronstad had to settle for a 3-3 draw.
Full Time GB Utd 3 Stronstad Utd 3
