Icomm FC vs Stronstad Utd (League) 26th September
Match Facts:-
· Icomm FC finished 2nd last year behind FC Phoenix while Stronstad Utd finished 4th
· The last two meetings saw Stronstad and Icomm FC play out 2 entertaining draws with a 2-2 and a 3-3 draw.
· Current standings see Stronstad 4th and Icomm FC 10th
· Stronstad won their last match 2-0 against Real Richelle from Div 1 while Icomm FC beat Freehouse from Div 3 by 4 goals to 2.
· Stronstad currently have a joint top goal scorer with Ian Privett (3) and James Clarke (3) leading the way.
First Half Action from Farlington Marshes Pitch 1
Stronstad kicked off playing into a gale force wind at Farlington looking to build on last week’s victory against an Icomm FC side who were struggling to settle in Div 2. The first real chance for Stronstad fell to James Clarke as he darted in and beat the Icomm FC keeper to the ball but was forced wide and from a tight angle James Clarke’s shot hit the bar and was cleared by the Icomm FC defence.
The strong wind was causing Stronstad troubles and they failed to get their passing game together which saw the ball given away too cheaply and some Stronstad players arguing with each other. The mood did not get any better as Icomm FC took the lead in bizarre fashion. A long diagonal ball into the Stronstad box saw Jeff Needham with no one around him plant a fantastic header past Paul McKay from around 12 yards out to give Icomm FC the lead. If the header was at the other end we would have been praising Jeff Needham.
Things went from bad to worse for Stronstad as from a Stronstad corner the ball was cleared and the counter attack was on. A lifted ball over the Stronstad defence saw the Icomm FC striker out pace Gareth Spicer and then slotted easily past Paul McKay to make the score 2-0.
This was the worse that Stronstad had played all season as being 2-0 down and not playing well caused a lot of arguing between a shell-shocked Stronstad team. It could have been worse for Stronstad as Icomm FC had the ball in the net again this time from a free kick but the linesman’s flag was up and the goal chalked off. Then Icomm FC should have had a 3rd goal as a static Stronstad defence failed to deal with a lobbed ball over the top where the Icomm FC player turned and shot but Paul McKay made a smart save then the ball was cleared from danger.
Stronstad had not really tested the Icomm FC goalkeeper but they did manage to get a goal back. I have done two versions of this goal.
My Views
Ian Privett had the ball on the Stronstad left and drove towards the Icomm FC by-line and his drilled cross was volleyed home by the Icomm FC defender under pressure from Steve Beech to give Stronstad a lifeline in this match.
Steve Beech’s View
Ian Privett had the ball on the Stronstad left and drove towards the Icomm FC by-line and his drilled cross was volleyed home by Steve Beech to give Stronstad a lifeline.
You make your mind up how this goal was scored
The game started to turn towards Stronstad’s favour but they could not force the equaliser as first Steve Beech save his driving effort pushed away and Ian Privett failed to test the Icomm FC keeper twice from 25 yards out. James Clarke thought he should have had a penalty as he darted into the box and as he got his shot away he was tripped but the appeals were turned away.
Half Time:- Icomm FC 2 Stronstad Utd 1
Second Half Action
With the words of Gareth Spicer and Andy Stamp still ringing around the Stronstad players ears, Stronstad went out to put heavy early pressure on Icomm FC as they looked to get back into the game and they were given a life line as a throw in at the near post saw Gareth Spicer fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded. Gareth Spicer dusted himself down before placing the ball into the top corner to draw the team’s level.
Soon after it was 3-2 to Stronstad as the Gareth Spicer goal turned the game. Stronstad forced a throw in deep in the Icomm FC half and a long throw from Dave George was headed on by Jeff Needham to an unmarked Steve Beech who swept the ball home from close range to make the score 3-2 and now you could see the confidence flowing through the team.
At the other end Paul McKay was having a quieter half as any danger was cleared by Rich Gillam and Jon Way as Stronstad looked to continue pressuring the Icomm FC team and it was no surprise really as Stronstad got a 4th goal through Dan Moore. Another long throw into the Icomm FC penalty caused panic amongst the Icomm FC defence and as Jeff Needham fired a shot towards goal the ball was blocked and was only half cleared to the edge of the box where Dan Moore fired home to make the score 4-2 to Stronstad.
The frustration was starting to get the better of the Icomm FC striker who was booked for a comment that he made towards the referee and he decided to quickly take himself off. The pressure was causing players to lose their heads as a few leg breaking tackles came flying in and as a result James Clarke was booked then an Icomm FC player was booked for some poorly timed tackles.
Manager Andy Stamp then made a change and brought on a fitter looking Robert Pearson into action in place of Steve Beech and almost straight away Robert Pearson was involved. Jon Way played a ball through to Robert Pearson but his cut back from Roger Campbell was blocked and cleared to safety. 5 minutes later it was soon 5-2 to Stronstad. Ian Privett who was having a mixed game delivered an inch perfect cross to Robert Pearson who floated like a butterfly and then planted a header across the Icomm FC goalkeeper and into the back of the net to open Pearson’s account for the season and put Stronstad some might say in the comfort zone.
More chances came and went for Stronstad as James Clarke fired over from close range from a Dan Moore corner, Dave George hit the post and Jeff Needham fired over when he should have done better. Robert Pearson failed to test the Icomm FC goalkeeper and Dave George saw his long range effort easily saved as Stronstad looked to crank the pressure up. Dan Moore also scored the goal of the season so far as a long ball forward saw Dan Moore control the ball then flick it over the Icomm FC defender and from around the 18 yard box his driving effort was clawed away by the Icomm FC keeper for a corner.
Icomm FC were not out of the game and it was backs against the wall as first Jeff Needham threw himself to block a goal bound Icomm FC shot and then Rich Gillam battled hard on the sideline with 3 Icomm FC battling to win the ball.
With time running out for Icomm FC a tired looking Stronstad were struggling to cope and they were punished with a goal back for Icomm FC with 10 minutes to go. The ball was worked to the Stronstad left and some half hearted tackles saw the Icomm FC striker drive forward before slotting past Paul McKay to make the score 5-3. Soon after it was squeaky bum time as an Icomm FC player easily turned a tired looking Rich Gillam and an attempted tackle from Jeff Needham before slotting past the on rushing Stronstad keeper Paul McKay to make the score 5-4 with 4 minutes to go. Icomm FC then won a corner with time running out which saw the Icomm FC goalkeeper come up but Stronstad managed to clear the danger and the full time whistle went for the relief of the Stronstad team.
Full Time:- Icomm FC 4 Stronstad Utd 5
Summary –
Next Match:- Away against White House in the league.
