Stronstad vs Prince of Wales @ King George
It was time to dust off the boots and enjoy the smell of stale beer as Stronstad players returned from their Xmas break for the second half of the season and a match against old foes Prince of Wales. After playing them twice this season losing 4-2 in the London Cup and drawing 2-2, Stronstad were looking to start 2012 with a bang.
Manager Robert Pearson was stepping into goal for his first appearance since the Saturn Royale game and with Gaz Colley and Jeff Needham watching as they await their return to the squad the Stronstad players knew that a good performance was key to getting a starting spot for the next match.
Kick off Time:-
In the opening exchanges it was Prince of Wales who were looking dangerous as they were looking to end 6 defeats in a row against an improving Stronstad side as some slick passing and moving were creating space but they were lacking the killer final ball as Dan Razzell and Paul “Macca” McKay were standing firm. 5 minutes into the first half Prince of Wales took the lead that they deserved in bizarre fashion. The ball had gone out for a throw in deep in the Stronstad half and from a short throw the ball was played back to the thrower again and his intended cross somehow floated over stand in keeper Robert Pearson and into the far corner of the net to open the scoring.
This goal was the kick up the arse that Stronstad needed as too many times the ball was given away too cheaply. Stronstad’s response was to try and shake the Xmas meal and New Years drinks off and get back to playing exciting football but still the ball was not sticking and passes were going astray too often as a sharper Prince of Wales looked to get a second goal.
The first Stronstad goalscorer of 2012 was man mountain Paul “Macca” McKay. Stronstad managed to force a corner and from the corner the ball was played into the box where a massive goalmouth scramble ensued as bodies from both teams came piling in with Nick Crocker and Adam Razzell trying to get the ball. It was like a pinball game as the ball was bouncing off legs and eventually the ball rolled to centre half Paul “Macca” McKay who pulled his right leg back before connecting with a low drive that swerved away from the Prince of Wales goalkeeper and found the bottom corner of the net to pull Stronstad level.
Prince of Wales response was rapid and they almost got a goal back straight away. A long ball over the top of the Stronstad defence found the pacey Prince of Wales striker who advanced into the penalty area but his effort was turned away by Robert Pearson and then Jon Way completed the clearance. At the other end the Prince of Wales goalkeeper was having a quiet game but he put himself under some pressure as his clearance only found Lloyd Adams whose first time shot was blocked by a defender with the keeper in no man’s land. Prince of Wales then almost got a second goal again in bizarre fashion as a long punt down field saw Paul “Macca” McKay’s backwards flicked header towards goal with Robert Pearson stranded on the edge of his penalty area but a great turn of pace saw Robert Pearson somehow get back and clear the ball before it crossed the line and Dan Razzell then cleared the ball upfront.
The final chance of the half came as Stronstad were awarded a free kick and from the free kick the ball was played into the penalty area where a game of head tennis took place and the final touch coming from a Stronstad player as the ball was headed inches over.
Half Time:-
Stronstad Utd:- 1 (Paul “Macca” McKay)
Prince of Wales:- 1
Straight from kick off Stronstad shot themselves in the foot. The ball was played back to Paul “Macca” McKay who’s attempted chip ball forward was headed back and as Aaron “Lurch” Brown tried to get to the loose ball a Prince of Wales player collected the ball and advanced on goal before finding the far corner to make the score 2-1 with not even 30 seconds played in the second half. The response from Stronstad was swift as some good work down the Prince of Wales left back position saw Adam Razzell collect the ball. With time and space Adam Razzell sent in a David Beckham style cross to the far post where Nick Crocker who attacked the ball like Tim Cahill for Everton as the ball flew into the far corner of the Prince of Wales net to draw the teams level again with not even 3 minutes played in the second half.
This game was going to be an exciting game as both teams pushed to get a foot hold in the game and with the 10 or so fans singing and chanting this spurred both teams on. The 5th goal of the day was going to be important as I felt they would go on and win the game and the 5th goal dually arrived. Robert Pearson launched a ball into the heavans and as the ball came down with snow on it, Adam Razzell flicked the ball on to Ian Privett who had gambled on the flick on and he showed composure to brilliantly lob the Prince of Wales goalkeeper and send Stronstad 3-2 up. The only thing disappointing was his poor celebration!!!!!!!
Soon the game was turned in the favour of Stronstad Utd who was looking more likely to extend the lead and they did 2 minutes after the Ian Privett goal. Robert Pearson used the Wimbledon route one to great effect as he launched another ball down field where Adam Razzell and the Prince of Wales player went up for the ball which they both missed and again Ian Privett gambled on the ball and as the Prince of Wales goalkeeper came out he coolly headed over the keeper and into the empty net to make the score 4-2.
Soon after this goal Stronstad made a change with Dean Barlow coming off and Steve Beech entering the action looking to make a claim for a starting spot of next week and he did himself no harm. The last game Stronstad played they were 4-2 up against Icomm FC and ended up drawing 4-4 and this was running through the minds of the Stronstad players as they continued to pressure the Prince of Wales back four and it was not long before the next goal came. A long throw from Nick Crocker bounced in the penalty area to Adam Razzell who controlled the ball before firing into the roof of the net to give him his 2nd goal of the season and put Stronstad firmly in the driving seat.
Stronstad had plenty of chances to extend the lead further with Phil Ingram having two great chances to score but was denied by important blocks by the Prince of Wales goalkeeper after being left 1-on-1 then Steve Beech broke the offside trap but his dipping volley was too close the keeper who managed to pluck the ball out the air. When Stronstad got the ball down they were creating good chances and with Stronstad players trying to get their names on the score sheet Pete Hamilton tried to his luck. The ball was worked across the Prince of Wales box to Pete Hamilton who saw the chance open up for a shot. The stage was set as Pete Hamilton controlled the ball and with no one around him he pulled his long leg back. All of King George went quiet as Pete Hamilton swung his right foot at the ball looking for accuracy and not power but as the ball left his right foot the ball slowly started to swerve. Was the ball swerving in you might ask? No the ball was swerving away from goal, not inches wide this ball was collected by the Prince of Wales goalkeeper close to the corner flag. Pete Hamilton looked to the ground then looked at his 1950’s football boots before a quick shake of the head as he ran back into position wondering if he will ever score. I did notice that after the wolf whistling Pete did have a tear in his eye and he knew that yet another glories opportunity had been and gone.
With time running out for Prince of Wales they did manage to pull a goal back as a wayward pass was picked off by the Prince of Wales player who curled a low effort past Robert Pearson from outside the box to set up a nervous finish and memories of Icomm FC over again. In the last 10 minutes it was all hands to the pumps as Prince of Wales pushed for a 4th goal and they did have the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside while Jon Way and Lato were guilty of giving free kicks away in dangerous areas but the Stronstad wall stayed firm and were able to clear the danger.
Special thanks goes to Steve Beech and Gaz Colley for refereeing the match
Full Time:-
Stronstad Utd: 5 (Paul “Macca” McKay, Nick Crocker, Ian Privett 2, Adam Razzell)
Prince of Wales:- 3
Next up is AC Copnor in the League @ Farlington Marshes.
Managers Thoughts:- With players being unavailable for the next few weeks the guys coming in will need to step up to the plate and look to cement a starting spot for this match.
