Stronstad Utd vs Icomm FC
Welcome to a sunny King George in Cosham for today’s exciting match where a Stronstad side high on confidence entertain an Icomm FC team who were looking to end their season on a high. After the maroon’s last match a comfortable 3-0 victory against lowly Newcome Arms Blues a win for Stronstad could see them go up to the dizzy heights of 4th place with only goal difference seeing them miss out on 3rd spot but this all depends on the result of champions Lord Chichester and Prince of Wales who play today.
These matches against Icomm FC have been close affairs with the last 3 matches being humdingers with Stronstad winning the only meeting this season 5-4 with Steve Beech 2, Gareth (Spike) Spicer (penalty), Dan Moore and Robert Pearson’s winner then last season a 2-2 and 3-3 draw. The fans will be expecting goals today.
As usually Robert Pearson was the first to turn up to the ground eager with his camera to get the latest action from today’s match. As the rest of the team turned up you could feel the love the players had for the nice warm weather and the football season coming to an end.
First Half Action
Stronstad were in confident mood and looked to attack a tall Icomm FC team but rarely tested the Icomm FC keeper with Dan Moore failing to hit the target on a couple of occasions.
The opening exchanges were all Stronstad as they looked hungry for this match but like the Newcombe Arms game the week before they failed to turn the early pressure into goals. Jeff Needham was inches away from an Ian Privett corner then Dave George let fire from 25 yards but his effort flew wide.
Stronstad then had a strong case of a penalty turned away but the referee as defender Jeff Needham jinxed his way into the box but his run was halted by an Icomm FC player and as Stronstad players appealed for the penalty the referee waved them away and Icomm FC were able to clear.
When Stronstad got the ball down they created some good passing moves with Luke Roystone looking sharp and when he released Dan Moore but instead of Dan Moore hitting the target he blazed the ball well wide when the was well positioned.
The paying public that came along wanting to see some sexy football from Stronstad were left disappointed and that fan watching the game left early via the burger van as half time rush is a bugger but just before half time Stronstad almost gifted the Icomm FC the lead. From a poor goal kick the ball was collected by the Icomm FC player who fired a drive that was going in until the acrobatic Robert Pearson redeemed himself and turned the ball over for a corner.
Half Time:- Stronstad Utd 0 Icomm FC 0
Second Half
Stronstad should have taken the lead early in the second half as a cross into the Icomm FC box was headed towards goal by Steve Beech but either side of the keeper and it was in but instead he headed at the Icomm FC keeper who managed to hold onto the ball.
Really against the run of play Stronstad fell a goal behind. The ball was played to Gary Cowell whose attempted back pass fell well short of Robert Pearson and this allowed the Icomm FC player to advance on Robert Pearson before slotting home to send his team into wild celebrations like they had won the World Cup.
It could have been worse for Stronstad as Icomm FC used the counter attack well and they should have scored again as the Icomm FC player got into the box and as he lined up a pile driver it hit a divot in the pitch and he then produced a nice fresh air shot which allowed Robert Pearson to block the second attempt.
Then came a moment of controversy as Stronstad had a perfectly good goal ruled out. The ball was played into the Icomm FC penalty area and as Dan Moore reached the ball before the Icomm FC keeper the ball was bouncing towards goal where Steve Beech was on hand to blast the ball home from a matter of inches. As Stronstad celebrated the linesman put his flag up and the referee ruled the goal out and a free kick was awarded. With the heat and the frustration the Stronstad players were losing their cool and they were further pushed to boiling point as a ball was played towards the Icomm FC box where an Icomm player handed the ball but the referee pointed for a free kick and not the penalty. From the resulting free kick Mark Gear hit the Icomm FC wall before firing wide.
Stronstad were still pushing to get back into the game but were becoming increasingly frustrated as final balls were miss placed and some players holding the ball for too long but Stronstad still plugged away. Rich Gillam tried his luck at goal with a long range effort that flew wide of the Icomm FC goal then Roger Campbell could not recreate his last two wonder goals as he managed to find the top of the tree behind the goal. Roger Campbell then came closer as his downwards header was cleared away on the line by an Icomm FC player. Yet more chances came and went with Jon Way collecting the ball out wide before delivering a great ball into the mixer but it eluded the Stronstad strikers and the ball was cleared.
Finally as Stronstad turned the pressure up on Icomm FC they managed to get a goal back. Mark Gear got the ball down the Icomm FC right position and his cross fell nicely to Ian Privett at the far post and he controlled the ball before firing past the stranded Icomm FC goalkeeper to give Stronstad a well deserved goal.
Stronstad with only a matter of minutes left to play almost snatched the three points from a free kick. Ian Privett played the ball over the Icomm FC wall but the keeper was alert and was able to throw himself across goal before turning the ball away for a corner.
You could see the frustration in some of Stronstad’s players as good opportunities to get the ball into the box from set plays were wasted. Gareth Spicer and Jeff Needham were frustrated at the poor service today.
Full Time:- Stronstad Utd 1 Icomm FC 1
Next Up:-
I’m sad to say that next week is the last match of the season against Newcombe Arms Blues venue yet to be decided. I hope we will have a good turn out and then after that a trip down the local to celebrate the end of a long hard season.
Come on you Stronstad!!!!!!!!!!!
