Westbourne FC vs Stronstad Utd (Friendly)
With the season fast approaching Stronstad entered this pre-season game with a depleted squad with a number of players unavailable for the match against Westbourne FC from the West Sussex league.
The last time Stronstad played against Westbourne FC the maroons of Stronstad came away with a comfortable victory. Playing on a smaller pitch than usual Stronstad wanted to put in a good performance, which would give Andy Stamp a headache going into the London Cup against Lord Chichester.
Match Stats
Stronstad had won their last 2 visits to Sussex with a 4-1 win over the Army Chefs and a 2-1 victory over The Army Regimental Team. Westbourne FC will be playing in the Chichester & West Sussex Division 3 this season.
First Half Action
Stronstad started brightly and put the Westbourne Fc defence under some heavy pressure but failed to really test the Westbourne FC keeper.
Some of the Stronstad play was sloppy with too many balls being over hit but when Stronstad did get the ball down they managed to put together some good attacking moved. Nick Crocker was winning some important headers in midfield, which caused more pressure for the home side to deal with. Dave George was driving the team forward but some wayward shooting and also over hit passes kept frustrating Stronstad.
The first effort of note came from Robert Pearson who failed to trouble the Westbourne FC goalkeeper from around 25 yards out as a Stronstad player had won the ball in the midfield and as the ball fell to Robert Pearson his effort lacked power and rolled through to the Westbourne FC keeper.
At the other end Rod Robertson playing at centre back with Gareth Spicer were looking comfortable and with Paul McKay filling in at left back and Jorge Morrison-Cooke at right back, Ian Privett was not really tested. The first real danger came when former Stronstad player Steven Reith fired in a cross to the far post which Paul McKay misjudged but the Westbourne FC player failed to trouble Ian Privett as the ball bounced harmlessly over the bar.
Stronstad then managed to force a corner and from the resulting corner Dan Moore delivered the ball into the Westbourne penalty area but as the ball was about to drop under the bar the Westbourne FC keeper managed to stick a hand out and divert the ball over for another corner.
At the other end Ian Privett had to be at his best to deny a certain goal as the Westbourne FC striker powered into the box but Ian Privett managed to turn the ball around the post for a corner. From the resulting corner Westbourne Fc had appeals for a penalty turned down as Jorge Morrison-Cooke felled the Westbourne FC player but the referee waved away the appeals.
Second Half Action
Stronstad went on the attack from the first whistle and managed to take the lead with only 10 minutes on the clock. Ian Privett who played in goal the first half moved to left wing and it was from one of his crosses that went to the back post where Luke Roystone headed the ball back across goal where first Mark Betteridge came within inches of connecting but the ball found its way through to the unmarked Dan Moore who headed home from close range to make the score 1-0.
This goal lifted Stronstad and they almost had a second goal as again as a through ball to Luke Roystone who managed to beat the Westbourne FC keeper and his cross was headed goal wards by Dan Moore but it rebounded off the foot of the post and away from danger.
At the other end stand in keeper Mike made a terrific save to deny the Westbourne FC striker who managed to get around the back of the Stronstad defence.
Stronstad then should have had a second goal as a delightful through ball from Ian Privett released Robert Pearson but his first time shot went wide when he should have scored.
With time running out Stronstad did manage to get the all-important second goal. Dan Moore who had been causing trouble for the Westbourne FC defence controlled the ball before laying it off to Robert Pearson who then touched the ball to Luke Roystone who fired low past the Westbourne FC goalkeeper to make the score 2-0.
It was then 3-0 as Stronstad won a penalty are Robert Pearson had beaten his man and advanced towards the penalty area but he was halted in his tracks by a clinical foul. The referee awarded the penalty and Gareth Spicer slotted home to make the score 3-0. A few minutes after that goal Stronstad were dealt a blow as Mark Betteridge was forced off injured as a late Westbourne FC challenge saw Mark Betteridge injure his ankle.
Stronstad almost had a quick fire 4th goal as Ian Privett flicked the ball to Robert Pearson who then played the ball back to Ian Privett. Ian Privett then advanced towards the Westbourne FC goal and from just outside the penalty area he saw his effort fly inches over the top of the bar.
Full Time:- Westbourne FC 0 Stronstad Utd 3
