Stronstad Utd VS Newcombe Arms Blues
Stronstad Utd kicked off the match knowing that 3 points today would see them move within 3 points of J.T.C Rovers in 3rd spot.
In the opening few minutes of the game it was all Stronstad as they looked to get an early goal to settle the team down but they could not break down a stubborn Newcombe defence and when they did breach the defence they attack was stopped due to Stronstad players straying offside and from one occasion Steve Beech spoke out of term and was spoken to by the referee.
At the other end the Stronstad defence was not really tested with Paul “Macca” Mckay and Jeff Needham winning some important headers and with Gary Cowell and Jon Way supplying the forward run it was all Stronstad.
Stronstad were turning the screw but could not breach the Newcombe defence but from an Ian Privett corner the ball was played into the centre of the Newcombe penalty area where an unmarked Jeff Needham powered a header towards goal but went inches wide of the left post and out for a goal kick to Newcombe.
At the other end Newcombe had rarely tested Jamie Nottage but he put himself under pressure by trying to shield the ball out of play but the Newcombe striker beat him to the ball near the corner flag and as the Newcombe player turned towards goal he was fouled by Jamie Nottage. From the resulting free kick the ball was easily cleared by the Stronstad defence.
Stronstad were playing good football but not as good as the second half of last week’s match and you could see the frustration setting in as Gareth Spicer went down in the Newcombe penalty area but his appeals were turned down and then Jon Way ventured towards goal but his effort lacked the direction and it flew over the bar. The first goal came after 35 minutes of the game as Luke Roystone got a cross to the back post where Dan Moore threw himself at the ball but the Newcombe keeper parried the ball but he could do nothing as Steve Beech rifled the ball home from close range to put Stronstad into the lead.
Second Half
It was the same as the first half as Stronstad looked to get an early second goal but some poor passing and crossing did not help the team as they looked for goals. The final pass was eluding Stronstad as they got into the right areas but with a little bit more composer they could have opened the Newcombe defence.
Stronstad then made a change with Dan Moore coming off and the veteran Robert Pearson coming on and he almost got a second goal. Ian Privett played the ball forward to Robert Pearson who turned the Newcombe defender and ran towards goal. As he advanced towards the penalty area his chipped pass was miss controlled by Roger Campbell and the chance went begging.
Soon after this chance for Stronstad, Stronstad got the important second goal. A long ball from defender Paul “Macca” Mckay was well controlled by Steve Beech who advanced towards the Newcombe penalty area and his inch perfect ball to Luke Roystone who collected the ball before firing a low drive across the Newcombe keeper and into the far corner to give Stronstad a 2 goal cushion and Luke Roystone’s first goal in all competitions.
At the other end Jamie Nottage was called into action as a Newcombe player sent a looping shot towards goal but Jamie Nottage was able to turn the ball over as it looked like it was going in.
With 5 minutes to go Stronstad killed the game off with a third goal. A clearance from the Newcombe defender was headed back towards the Newcombe goal by Gary Cowell from just inside the Newcombe half which was missed by the Newcombe central defender and Steve Beech calmly lifted the ball over the advancing Newcombe keeper and into the net to give Steve Beech his third goal in his last 2 games and 3-0 to Stronstad Utd.
The win for Stronstad was confirmed minutes later as the referee brought an end to the game and the 3 points going to Stronstad with a rare clean sheet.
Full Time:- Stronstad Utd 3 Newcombe Arms Blues 0
Next up for the Maroons is a match vs Icomm FC which will be at King George with a 10:30am kick off
