Prince of Wales vs Stronstad Utd (League)
Match facts:-
· Both teams won their opening games of the season with Stronstad winning 4-1 against White House FC and Prince of Wales winning 4-0 against Newcome Arms Blues.
· 4-3 was the theme last season when these two teams met with Stronstad losing 4-3 and then beating Prince of Wales 4-3.
· Prince of Wales finished 3rd last season while Stronstad Utd finished 4th
· This game today will match the top two teams in the league play each other with Prince of Wales top and Stronstad Utd 2nd.
· Dave George (away) and Robert Pearson (injured) will miss today’s game. This could also be Nick Crocker’s last match for Stronstad Utd.
First Half Action from King George Pitch 8
The opening minutes of the match was a scrappy affair with both teams taking time to settle on a pitch that looked like the grass had not been cut of a long time. Simple 5-10 yard passes were stopping before getting to the players which meant that possession was given away too cheaply. The first real goal mouth action came as a cross into the Prince of Wales box was headed over by a Prince of Wales player as two Stronstad players were waiting to pounce on the loose ball. At the other end a quick winger for Prince of Wales was causing Rich Gillam so issues so James Clarke dropped back to cover Rich Gillam which saw James Clarke’s threat down the wing restricted.
As the first half went on Stronstad managed to put a passing move together which resulted in a goal. Stronstad won a throw in which Gary Cowell took to release Luke Roystone and his powerful run into the Prince of Wales box saw him get to the bye-line where his cross to the back post was shanked by Dan Moore who had set himself nicely for a volley. Dan Moore’s wayward volley spun nicely to James Clarke who converted from close range to give him his 3rd goal for the season and see the Prince of Wales goalkeeper picking the ball out for the net for the first time this season.
At the other end it could have been 1-1 as a long range effort floated over Paul McKay but the ball bounced back off the bar and was cleared to safety. If any else was to score again it would be Stronstad Utd as they created chances like they did against White House but failed to convert them. A Rich Gillam free kick was inch perfect for Ian Privett but he managed to head over when well placed. Nick Crocker then had another headed chance from a corner but could only head over. Yet another headed chance came and went when another cross from deep was headed goal wards by Dan Moore but the Prince of Wales goalkeeper made a great reaction save to beat the shot away.
With the long grass causing issues for both teams most of the play was up in the air with Nick Crocker and Rod Robertson being by passed in the centre of the park on several occasions.
With 5 minutes to go before half time Prince of Wales were given an unlikely life line in a form of a penalty. A ball into the Stronstad penalty was bouncing out for a goal kick but as mentioned earlier the long grass held the ball up just as it was running out. Stronstad keeper Paul McKay came out to clear the ball but missed and caught the Prince of Wales player. No one else appealed for the penalty but the referee pointed to the spot. The penalty was converted to draw the team’s level. This goal was a kick in the teeth for Stronstad as the centre back pairing of Jeff Needham and captain Gareth Spicer were looking comfortable with the Prince of Wales strikers struggling to get going in this game.
Just before half time Stronstad almost went 2-1 up as Ian Privett charged down the Prince of Wales goalkeepers attempted clearance but the ball bounced away from goal with Ian Privett giving chase.
Half Time: Prince of Wales 1 Stronstad Utd 1
The second half of this entertaining match was an end to end affair with both teams looking to step up and take control of the game but poor finishing and players putting their bodies on the line.
Stronstad could have gone 2-1 up as a quick counter attack resulted in Ian Privett driving forward but he failed to test the Prince of Wales goalkeeper as he pulled his shot wide when he should have done better.
Prince of Wales then managed to get their noses in front. They won a corner and from the resulting corner the ball was played to the far post to a Prince of Wales player who managed to fire a low shot through a crowded penalty area and in at the near post past Paul McKay to make the score 2-1.
Stronstad were still trying to pull a goal back but could have been 3-1 down as a quick counter attack saw the Prince of Wales player draw Paul McKay out of goal and his square ball was fired home but the joy was short lived as the lines man’s flag was raised and the goal was chalked off.
Shortly after this scare Stronstad pulled a goal back. Stronstad forced a corner and from the corner Ian Privett swung the ball over where it was powerfully headed home from 6 yards out by Nick Crocker to draw the team’s level.
The game was becoming an end to end affair with both teams looking to get the edge. Stronstad were looking dangerous and with Dan Moore beating his marker and striding towards goal he was chopped down just outside the penalty. The offender was booked and from the resulting free kick Ian Privett’s effort was easily saved.
Prince of Wales went 3-2 up really against the run of play. Substitute Mark Betteridge was adjudged to have fouled a Prince of Wales from the resulting free kick the ball was swung over to the far post where it was met by a Prince of Wales head and the ball floated into the far corner with Paul McKay scrambling to get back. Next was something that Stronstad thought that they had moved on from where straight from kick off they gifted possession back to Prince of Wales and quicker than you could say Pompey 0 Ipswich Town 0 the ball was in the back of the net to extend the score and leave Stronstad with a mountain to climb if they wanted to salvage anything from this end to end affair.
With 5 minutes to go Stronstad did pull a goal back. A ball into the Prince of Wales penalty area caused panic and with a game of pinball taking place the ball fell to Dan Moore who rifled an unstoppable drive past the Prince of Wales goalkeeper to give Stronstad a glimmer of hope with time running out. In the last minute of the match Stronstad almost grabbed a dramatic equaliser as a long throw in from Nick Crocker fell to Jeff Needham but his effort lacked power and was easily saved by the Prince of Wales goalkeeper to end Stronstad’s chances of snatching anything from the game.
Full Time: Prince of Wales 4 Stronstad Utd 3
Next up for Stronstad Utd is a cup game against division 1 side Real Richelle. Match details to follow. Also Stronstad have resigned Roger Campbell for the season but have lost a player as Nick Crocker is leaving the team for a year placement in Gloucester.
