It has not been a happy 2009 for Stronstad as they went down to another defeat against table toppers Park Academics.
This clash was billed as the title decider as both teams were pushing for promotion and a win for Stronstad would have sent them back to the summit by 1 point.
First Half Action
From the first whistle Stronstad were on the back foot as a sharper Park Academics side who had played a few more games this year than Stronstad put the pressure on a Stronstad team that welcomes Steve Beech and Brad White into the starting line up. With a strong cross-field breeze both teams struggled with the high ball and both team took time to settle with the ball on the desk.
It was Park Academics who were asking all the questions of a very rusty Stronstad side and they created more chances and maybe on a better day could have scored a few good chances.
Stronstad’s first real sniff of a chance came after a Park Academics defender let the ball roll under his foot and as Robert Pearson set off for a run at goal he was taken down 25 yards from goal and the Park Academics defender was very lucky to escape with a yellow card and not a red as he was the last man.
From the resulting free kick the Park Academics goalkeeper fumbled the ball and Gareth Spicer came within inches of opening the scoring.
At the other end Stronstad were still looking shaky at the back and only some poor finishing with one being a guilt edged chance kept the scores level.
Stronstad’s next best chance feel to James Clarke after a long ball up front was missed by the two Park Academics centre backs and James Clarke got into the box but pulled his shot wide.
Soon after that Stronstad was dealt a blow as Robert Pearson limped out the game with a hamstring problem, which will see him sidelined for a couple of weeks.
5 minutes before the break Stronstad got the first goal of the game as James Clarke steamed into the box and despite the Park Academics goalkeeper blocking the first effort James Clarke was able to force the ball over the line to give Stronstad a 1-0 lead in this top of the table clash.
This is what frustrates players and managers after scoring a goal. Straight from kick off Stronstad failed to pick up the Park Academics striker who was given the freedom of Farlington to advance through on Ian Privett before slotting home to draw the teams level.
Just before half time Stronstad had a perfectly good goal controversy chalked off as James Clarke battled into the box and Brad White put the ball into the goal but the referee deemed James Clarke had fouled the Park Academics goalkeeper.
Half Time: Stronstad Utd 1 Park Academics 1
Stronstad did not seemed to be switched on for the second half and almost conceded a 2nd goal almost straight from kick off. Stronstad’s clearing and long balls was poor and from a mistake at the back the Park Academics player advanced on Ian Privett but his lob cleared the top of the bar and the danger was averted.
From the sidelines it looked as Stronstad had never played together before with too many simple 5 yard passes going a stray and also too many players looking to be one man teams than team players which someone at half time pointed out which was true. We were arguing with each other, we could not get the ball down and the most important thing we did not do was communicate with each other.
Park Academics were again asking the questions of a shaky team and were creating plenty of chances to take the lead. Then came another flash point. Gareth Spicer won the ball of a Park Academics player who then kicked out at Spicer who was then called up by the referee and booked while the Park Academics player got away.
As the game moved on it was Park Academics who looked likely to score and they did as Stronstad failed to clear their lines and the Park Academics player got in and slotted past Ian Privett to make the score 2-1 to Park Academics.
Stronstad had nothing to offer upfront and there only real chances they had to score were from corners but from some poor deliveries they failed to test the Park Academics goalkeeper.
Like the last match Stronstad won the battle of the yellow cards with first Gareth Spicer getting booked then Rich Gillam like the Park Academics defender was lucky not to see red after he lost the ball and then proceeded to bring the Park Academics striker down as he advanced towards goal.
Just before full time Park Academics got a deserved 3rd goal as a Park Academics player beat Ian Privett from distance. Whether it was a cross or a shot it went in and left Stronstad now 4 points behind with 7 games left to Park Academics 4 games.
The last action of the second half saw Gareth Spicer clash a Park Academics player which resulted in hand bags as Stronstad let there frustration out.
Full Time Stronsatd Utd 1 Park Academics 3
