We started the season with a win and ended the season with a win.
Stronstad have finished the season with a runner up medal and promotion to the next division.
Stronstad knew that they could not afford to slip up against Star FC as a draw or loss could see Cosham Blues take over second spot of they beat Affinion International in their last game of the season.
First Half Action
Pressure was on Stronstad as a small band of Cosham Blues players came down to watch the game hoping Star FC would do them a favour and their wishes were answered after only 3 minutes of action. Jeff Needham put in an excellent block to deny the Star FC player from getting a cross in but from the resulting corner a well flighted corner was headed home from the Star FC player to give Star FC a 1-0 lead in this must win game.
With the Cosham Blues players cheering the goal this lifted Stronstad and they pulled a goal back almost straight away. Stronstad were attacking the Star FC back four when they gave a free kick away in the centre of the goal. From 25 yards Ian Privett blasted the ball through the gap in the wall and into the net to draw Stronstad level.
This goal lifted Stronstad and they started to put some great passing moves together and created a number of chances with Steve Beech heading over from a cross.
Stronstad went 2-1 up after a schoolboy mistake at the back for Star FC saw Bradley White put Stronstad 2-1 up. The goal came about after a huge kick down field from Robert Pearson saw the Star FC goalkeeper miss the ball but the covering defender then cleared the ball against his keeper and as the ball rolled towards goal Bradley White knocked the rebound in to make the score 2-1.
At the other end Robert Pearson was untested as the two centre backs of Jeff Needham and Jorge Morrison-Cooke standing firm and with Gary Cowell keeping the defence organised Star FC did not pose a threat to Robert Pearson’s goal.
Stronstad almost got a 3rd goal after a great passing move down the Stronstad left saw the ball worked to Bradley White who fired a stinging effort which the Star FC keeper did well to turn over for a corner.
Stronstad did then make the score 3-1. James Clarke was the creator of the goal as he evaded not one but two Star FC tackles and then drove towards goal and his centre was missed by a couple of Star FC players and Steve Beech popped up and slotted the ball home and this gave Stronstad a well deserved lead and the chances of finishing runners up was in sight.
Towards the end of the first half a Star FC player was booked for his comments towards the referee.
Just before half time Star FC had a sniff at goal but were unable to get past the determined block from Jon Way and Jorge Morrison-Cooke saw the danger cleared as the half time whistle went with Stronstad in control.
Second Half Action
With 45 minutes left of the season Stronstad wanted to finish the season on a high but it took a while for Stronstad to get going and some players were starting to panic and passes were going a stray and this lifted Star FC as they were asking questions of the Stronstad team but their efforts were not forcing the stand in keeper of Stronstad any problems.
When Stronstad did get their passing game going they created more chances but yet again they failed to take them and this was almost made to pay for it.
Star FC pulled a goal back really against the run of play. A long ball forward saw the Star FC beat Jorge Morrison-Cooke to the ball and he skilfully lifted the ball over him and from a tight angle some how send a dipping volley over Robert Pearson to make the score 3-2. The goal reminded me of Robert Pires goal for Arsenal against Aston Villa as he chipped the ball over George Boateng and then lobbed Peter Schmeichel.
This should have lifted Star FC but one of their players who had been booked in the first half was then sent off after one of his players was flagged offside but the Star FC player disagreed and then called the linesman a cheat to earn a second yellow and was sent off.
Stronstad then used the extra man to their advantage as they went 4-2 up almost straight after that. A long ball saw Bradley White beat the defender and goalkeeper to the ball before rolling the ball into the net to make the score 4-2.
Stronstad sealed the 3 points and well deserved runners up spot as and Ian Privett cross was glanced home by Steve Beech to make the score 5-2.
Really they should have scored a couple of more goals as Jeff Needham saw a well struck effort turned around the post and also Rod Robertson saw a goal bound effort blocked.
When the full time whistle went their were jubilations as a long hard season came to an end and Stronstad had earned promotion when other teams that were 10 beat than them failed to reach the heights of second and a cup semi finals all in the same season.
Full Time: Stronstad Utd 5 Star FC 2
Well played guys for a great performance and putting in committed performance for our injured captain Andy ‘Stan’ Scanlon who was happy to hear our great victory. It was good to see him after the game and break the news that he would be getting a runners up medal for his hard work this season. Hopefully he will be back to pace the sidelines at the beginning of the new season.
