First Half Action
In the opening 5 minutes of the game there were no real goal scoring chances but the only notable chance fell to a Park Academics player after a poor header away from captain Andy Scanlon but Park Academics player failed to take the chance.
Disaster
Then came an incident that brought the end of Andy Scanlon’s season. After Stronstad had won the ball in midfield the ball through to Andy Scanlon and as he advanced with the ball he was fouled hard which caused a serious leg injury, which will see him out for several months with a broken leg.
The injury was a shock to all the Stronstad players as Andy Scanlon suffered an injury at the beginning of last season and was hoping to end the season on a high.
After Andy Scanlon was taken to hospital Stronstad were in a dilemma as to whether to carry on the game or to abandon it as some of the Stronstad players were still traumatised by Andy Scanlon’s injury but in the end after a team talk they decided that they would go out and win the game for Andy.
Back To The Game
Park Academics who were second in the league started to test Stronstad and only the offside flag denied them a goal as the Park Academics player slotted past the advancing Mark Betteridge.
At the other end Stronstad should have been 1-0 up after a swift counter attack saw Steve Beech release Robert Pearson and as he advanced on the Park Academics goalkeeper his touch was a little heavy and the Park keeper was able to clear the danger.
Not long after that Stronstad did take the lead. A Gareth Spicer clearance saw Robert Pearson show a turn of pace to beat his man before firing past the Park Academics goalkeeper to make the score 1-0.
Stronstad was stepping up a gear and they put some excellent passing moves together and they were really asking questions of the Park Academics defence. Gary Cowell, Ian Privett and James Clarke were causing trouble for the Park Academics team and from another Stronstad attack they forced a corner.
From the resulting corner Stronstad made it 2-0 after an Ian Privett corner flew directly in via the far post to give Stronstad a second goal in this must win match.
Park Academics had a glories chance to score after a Park Academics player beat the offside trap but Mark Betteridge pulled off a smart save, turning the ball over bar. Great save Mark.
Park Academics were falling to bits and it was only a matter of time before Stronstad made the score 3-0. James Clarke was causing Park Academics all types of problems and it was from a mazy run that saw James Clarke beat 3 Park Academics players before advancing towards goal but the keeper forced him wide but James Clarke was able to stay on his feet before squaring the ball to the un-marked Steve Beech to slot in from close range to make the score 3-0.
Stronstad almost had a 4th goal after a good move between Ian Privett, Gary Cowell and Robert Pearson saw the ball find James Clarke who’s shot hit the post bounce off the player on the line (Who handled the ball) and then he cleared the ball against his own keeper before the danger was cleared.
Not long after that it was 4-0 and it was Andy Scanlon’s replacement that popped up with his second goal of the season. Stronstad forced another corner and another excellent delivery to the back post from Ian Privett saw Jeff Needham head home from close range.
Half Time:- Park Academics 0 Stronstad Utd 4
Stronstad knew the job was not completed as they have been in this position before but early in the second half they hit a 5th goal against a shell-shocked Park Academics team. Stronstad forced yet another corner and yet again Ian Privett’s corner was glanced home by Gareth Spicer to make the score 5-0 and game over.
At the other end Stronstad were looking very comfortable but then came an incident that annoyed the Stronstad team. As a Park Academics player got into the Stronstad box his cross hit Ian Privett in the chest, not the arm but his chest and the referee gave his side a penalty. The Park Academics player beat Mark Betteridge to make the score 5-1.
Not for the first time there were some questionable decisions and when Gary Cowell was fouled in the box the referee put his whistle to his mouth before changing his mind which annoyed Gareth Spicer and he decided to bring himself off.
Just before full time Park Academics pulled a goal back after a shot from just inside the area beat the diving Mark Betteridge and hit the post and in.
Full Time:- Park Academics 2 Stronstad Utd 5
This win was for Andy Scanlon who would have been proud of what we had done today and I know that everyone is wishing Andy Scanlon a speedy recovery.
We are thinking of you Stan
