Stronstad’s first London Cup match since the 2005 season ended in defeat against Richmond La Coruna from division 1.
After last weeks defeat against JTC Rovers, Stronstad knew this would be a tough match.
First Half Action
Stronsatd started brightly and took the lead after 5 minutes of play as some great passing between Gary Cowell and Mark Betteridge created room down the Richmond La Coruna right and a great ball into the centre from Mark Betteridge found Dan Moore who controlled and fired past the Richmond La Coruna.
Stronstad had archived something that they had not done since Park Academics in the league last year was to take the lead.
Richmond La Coruna were looking dangerous all the time and the central defence of Nick Crocker and Jorge Morrison-Cooke had their hands full as the two pacey attackers for Richmond were causing trouble and they should have pulled on two notable occasions as first a Richmond player fired over from close range then Ian Privett then made a camera shot save to deny another Richmond player from a close range header.
Shortly after that it was 1-1 as Richmond put a passing move together which opened the Stronstad defence up and the Richmond player was on hand to slot past Ian Privett to draw the teams level.
This goal lifted Richmond who started to get the ball down and pass the ball around the park as Stronstad struggled against a fitter outfit and it was soon after the first goal that Richmond got a second goal as the ball was worked into the box before being finished off from close range to make the score 2-1 to the division 1 side.
Stronstad had a couple of chances themselves to get back level with Adi Card who was making his first start of the season firing over from outside the area then possible the best chance falling to Gary Cowell who volleyed wide when well placed in the penalty area.
Richmond then hit Stronstad with a suck punch as Stronstad were slowly getting into the game Richmond hit them on the counter attack and the Richmond striker slotted past Ian Privett to make the score 3-1 to the away side.
Unlike last week when Stronstad players argued with each other they continued to battle away and did manage to get a second goal just before half time. Stronstad managed to force a corner and from the resulting corner Dan Moore placed a ball into the 6 yard box where Nick Crocker powered a header past the Richmond goalkeeper to get his first of the season and Stronstad’s second of the morning.
Just before the half time whistle Stronstad almost drew level as a great team move saw the ball crossed into the Richmond box but the Richmond keeper saved Rod Robertson header.
Half time: - Stronstad Utd 2 Richmond La Coruna 3
With the wind behind them Stronstad looked to pressure Richmond with their direct play but were dealt a blow as captain Gareth Spicer was forced off with a calf injury to be replaced by Ian Killeen after 55 minutes of the match.
Soon Stronstad conceded a 4th goal. Rod Robertson was battling for procession in the centre of midfield but lost out and as the ball was played forward the Stronstad players appealed for offside but the flag stayed down and the Richmond striker fired past Mark Betteridge to make the score 4-2.
Manager Andy Stamp then introduced Steve Beech to the action in a bid to get back into the match and his change almost paid off 10 minutes later as a long punt from Mark Betteridge saw Steve Beech out sprint the Richmond defence but Steve Beech’s lob flew inches over the bar to the agony of the Stronstad players.
Stronstad were pushing forward looking to pull a goal back and they almost did this as a free kick from Rich Gillam flew across the Richmond box to Nick Crocker who was inches away from connecting at the back post.
With 15 minutes to go Stronsatd won themselves a free kick deep in the Richmond half and from the resulting free kick Dan Moore played an inch perfect ball to the back post where Jorge Morrison-Cooke planted a header past the Richmond keeper to make the score 4-3 and game on.
This goal had definitely lifted Stronstad and they started to get the ball down and use the wings unlike they did last week and from some great wing play the ball was played to the back post where the on rushing Ian Killeen was coming in but the ball was slightly behind him and the danger was cleared.
Richmond were looking dangerous when going forward and only two excellent saves from Mark Betteridge denied the Richmond team from scoring more goals. The post also came to the rescue of Stronstad before the end of the game.
With 5 minutes to goal a controversial goal sealed the win for Richmond. Nick Crocker tangled with the Richmond player who managed to win a corner and from the corner the ball was played in to the 6-yard box and was headed home. The Stronstad players were not happy, as the ball was not placed in the corner. Stronstad’s protested were waved away and the goal stood.
Before full time Stronstad almost had a goal back as the ball found Ian Privett but he could not beat the Richmond keeper and the keeper turned the ball away for a corner kick.
Then last chance of the match fell to Rich Gillam but his 30-yard free kick went inches over.
Full Time: - Stronstad Utd 3 Richmond La Coruna 5
Next weeks match is at King George, Cosham with a 1030am kick off.
