Stronstad Utd got their pre-season underway with a comfortable 6-1 win over West Sussex Sunday League side Westbourne FC.
On a hot morning in Southbourne, Stronstad rolled back the years and wore the yellow and blue kit for this clash.
Team News:-
Gareth Spicer moved to a more attacking roll just behind the front two of Dan Moore and Mark Betteridge. Dropped was top goalscorer Robert Pearson (Disciplinary action) and Steve Beech (Forgot shinpads). Jon Way and Ian Killeen came into the starting 11 with former player Matt Grunchy who is on trial on the subs bench.
First Half Action:-
On a very narrow pitch Stronstad started the match at a high tempo and Westbourne FC found themselves under heavy pressure as Mark Betteridge and Dan Moore causing trouble for the Westbourne FC defence it was only a matter of time before Stronstad took the lead.
Stronstad deservedly took the lead in this match as good work down the Stronstad right saw James Clarke power into the area and despite the best efforts from the Westbourne FC goalkeeper he was unable to hold the shot and James Clarke was on hand to slot the ball into the empty net to make the score 1-0.
Stronsatd were playing some excellent passing football and they were opening Westbourne FC up and this was creating plenty of shooting chances for the Stronstad Utd players and one chance of note was when Gareth Spicer in his advanced roll got into the Westbourne FC box but his powerful drive went inches wide with the Westbourne FC keeper well beaten.
Stronstad could have had a few more goals but James Clarke failed to hit the target with a couple of headers but the main thing for himself and Stronstad was that he was in the right places to get these chances.
Stronstad went 2-0 up as another swift passing move saw James Clarke again slot in from close range to give Stronstad and James Clarke their second goal of the morning.
Westbourne FC were almost given a lift line as a rare attack saw the ball cut back to the 6 yard box and as Jeff Needham stuck his foot out the ball was diverted towards goal but Ian Privett was well placed to save the goal.
Dan Moore only managed to score once last season and it took a few games for him to score but today took him less than 45 minutes as yet more good work down the Stronstad right saw the ball crossed to the back post where Dan Moore steadied himself and fired home unchallenged from 6 yards to show that despite the lack of pre-season games the team were picking up where they left off last season.
The best chance for Westbourne FC to score came as the ball was flicked on leaving Jeff Needham and Jorge Morrison-Cooke out the game but a poor touch saw the ball run away and Ian Privett was able to claim the ball
Just before half time Stronstad maybe should have scored 2 more goals as first an in swinging corner was headed wide at the back post from Jeff Needham and then from the resulting goal kick Ian Killeen pressured the Westbourne FC right back into giving possession away and his excellent ball to the back post was headed inches over by Mark Betteridge.
Ian Privett had not had much to do in the half but he had to be at his best as he made a great stop from a Westbourne FC header and a mighty goalmouth scramble was eventually cleared with Stronstad players throwing themselves into blocks to keep Westbourne FC at bay.
Half Time:- Westbourne FC 0 Stronstad Utd 3
With a few changed in the second half and a new front line Stronstad took time to settle and it was Westbourne FC that were using the wind to their advantage, but they still could not breach the Stronstad defence as Jorge Morrison-Cooke and Jeff Needham looked solid at the back and with Ian Privett virtually a spectator for the whole of the first half was there to clear up any danger.
Stronstad went 4-0 up through a headed goal from Gareth Spicer who was playing in a more advanced role than last season. Stronstad had a corner that Mark Betteridge swung in but the ball was over hit. Robert Pearson was able to keep the ball in, a quick look up and then a ball to the back post saw Gareth Spicer head the ball home from close range to make the score 4-0.
Two weeks ago at training the team practiced attacking vs. defending and to be honesty the attacking team had run out of idea but today their attacking play was top quality as they created more chances and also looked dangerous every time they were going forward.
From a counter attack the ball was worked to Steve Beech who did well to beat his man and put a dangerous ball in to the Westbourne FC box.
Gareth Spicer was a inches away from heading home but as the ball found its way to the back post Robert Pearson controlled the ball before firing home to make the score 5-0 to Stronstad Utd.
It was almost 6-0 as another swift counter attack saw the ball reach Robert Pearson and as he skilfully beat his man he played an early ball to Steve Beech who took aim but saw his effort from just inside the ball crash back off the ball and the danger was cleared.
Stronstad did not have to wait long as Gareth Spicer scored a well-taken goal. Stronstad were having plenty of joy down the Westbourne FC left and as the ball was flicked on Gareth Spicer took aim and fired a volley that flashed past the Westbourne FC goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Westbourne FC did pull a goal back as Jorge Morrison-Cooke aka the octopus game away a needless penalty. The Westbourne FC player was holding the ball up and instead of Jorge standing firm he tried to take the ball, which also involved taking the man to give a needless penalty away.
The Westbourne FC number 6 powered the penalty which Ian Privett made a fantastic save but could do nothing from stopping the rebounds from being bundled home to make the score 6-1.
Stronstad could and maybe should have scored more goals as first Ian Killeen on his birthday missed a golden chance to open his account for the team as he played a one-two with Robert Pearson before rolling the ball wide of the Westbourne FC post when it was more easier to score.
Overall the result was a good result but with harder teams to play against Stronstad will have to raise their game a little bit more.
Full Time:- Westbourne FC 1 Stronstad Utd 6
Final Thoughts
Great performance but some things that we could do better.
Simple passes and by this don’t be afraid to go back home when nothing is on in front of us. A few times today when we did go home we were able to build again and cause Westbourne FC to work harder to get the ball.
Defensively we looked good as we won more headers and restricted the team to very few chances.
Attacking we looked good going forward. James Clarke showed good composer when he took his chances.
What’s Next?
Stronstad VS Mermaid FC next Sunday
