White House FC vs Stronstad Utd (League) 3rd October 2010
Match Facts
· Stronstad currently sit 4th in the league while today’s opponents White House FC are 9th with 1 point from their opening 4 games of the season
· A win for Stronstad will move them top of the league due to the Hampshire cup weekend while a win for White House FC would move them within 2 points for the mighty Stronstad.
· Stronstad’s first game against White House FC on the opening day of the season saw Stronstad run out 4-1 winners with James Clarke 2, Ian Privett and an own goal sealing 3 points that day.
· Stronstad have scored 12 goals in 3 league games but have conceded 9 goals in the process. While White House FC have conceded 13 goals while finding the net 6 times.
First half action from the Fratton Park of park football Alexandra Park
On a wet and windy day at Alexandra Park the Maroon’s of Stronstad entered the field to take on White House FC (Interesting fact. We have our end of season football do at their pub) in this important league game.
Jeff Needham sporting the pink socks for his shocker from last week which included an own goal and some woeful finishing was looking to put in a performance that would see him relieved of the embarrassment but good news for Jeff is that everyone that has worn them socks have played better and even scored this season after wearing them with James Clarke, Dan Moore and Gareth Spicer scoring after wearing them.
At a wet and Windy Alexandra Park, Stronstad kicked off into a strong head winding knowing that a win today would see Stronstad reach the summit but against a White House FC side that had a few new faces in the team were looking to get their first league win of the season. The opening affair was scrappy with both teams giving processions away in key areas of the pitch. The first real chance feel to Stronstad after a long ball forward saw ball knocked down to Dan Moore but from a tight angle could only find the side netting with Steve Beech lurking in the 6-yard box.
At the other end White House also had a sight at goal but a brilliant last ditch block from Paul McKay denied the White House FC player from either finding the back of the net of forcing Ian Privett into a save. Both teams were battling hard in some tricky conditions but neither team could get the break through as first Steve Beech’s close range effort lacked power and was easily saved and then the best chance fell to Dan Moore who cut inside and then tried to place the ball across the White House FC keeper but the White House FC keeper made a great save and the danger was cleared. More chances came and went for both teams with Gareth Spicer and Steve Beech close to converting a Dave George free kick after it had been parried by the White House FC keeper who was playing out of his skin. Not long before half time a great passing move saw Stronstad open the scoring. The ball was played into the centre of the park where Dave George collected the ball before firing a low drive from 25 yards out into the bottom corner to make the score 1-0 to Stronstad. This goal should have lifted Stronstad but it was White House who was asking the questions of Stronstad and only a reflex save from Ian Privett denied the White House striker an equaliser.
The game then became scrappy again as Stronstad were getting frustrated with the referee as he failed to award Stronstad some free kicks in dangerous areas while awarding White House with some questionable decisions .
Half Time: White House FC 0 Stronstad Utd 1
Second Half Action
With the wind with them in the second half Stronstad looked to put more pressure on the White House FC defence and they almost got the all important second goal as a long ball over the top saw Luke Roystone collect the ball before fizzing a cross which eluded the Stronstad strikers and was cleared only as far as Roger Campbell but he got his shot horribly wrong and found the top of the tree behind the goal.
At the other end Gareth Spicer and Jeff Needham had to be at their best as the game became and end to end affair but they failed to break down a stubborn Stronstad defence. Stronstad then came a whisker away from getting a second goal. A corner was cleared only as far as Jon Way who sent a deep cross in but it missed 2 Stronstad players coming in at the back post and the chance was missed. More chances came for Stronstad with Steve Beech failing to convert after sprinting clear of the White House FC defence but he pulled his shot wide to the frustration of Steve Beech.
Yet another chance came the way of Steve Beech. A Dave George free kick from near the half way line went over the White House FC defence and Steve Beech coming in at the back post could not convert the chance and the ball went out for a goal kick. Dave George then tried his luck from long range and was only inches wide from hitting the target with the goalkeeper well and truly beaten. Then a moment of controversy as White House FC pulled a goal back which caused angry amongst the Stronstad team. The ball was in the Stronstad left back position where Gary Cowell had the ball but he lost out to a White House FC player who ran towards the penalty area where his cross went through to the far post where a White House player saw his shot brilliantly blocked by Jon Way but the referee called the ball back for a free kick near the bye-line. From the free kick the ball was played to the far post where Ian Privett tried to collect the ball but was knocked out the way and a White House player was on hand to knock the ball home. Stronstad players protested to the referee as there was a push in the build up to the goal but the goal was given and White House were given an unlikely life line.
This prompted Andy Stamp to bring on Robert Pearson for the injured Paul McKay. Still it was anyone’s game and again it was an end to end affair with both teams pressing for a winner as the rain came down heavier. White House almost took the lead as a stinging effort was parried by Ian Privett to an on rushing White House player who some how managed to blast the ball over the bar from 8 yards out. With time running out Stronstad almost took the lead as Robert Pearson collected a Dan Moore through ball but Pearson’s rising effort was acrobatically turned over by the White House goalkeeper. Then with only minutes to go Stronstad should have had the 3 points. A long ball forward was flicked on by Robert Pearson to Mark Betteridge who from 8 yards out pulled his shot wide and the game was over.
At full time captain Gareth Spicer lead the protests against the White House FC referee as like some players on the Stronstad team he failed to award Stronstad free kicks in key positions. This draw felt like a defeat for Stronstad as this draw put a dent in the side’s ambitions to win the league.
Full Time: White House 1 Stronstad Utd 1
Pink Sock Award:
Steve Beech
Next Up For Stronstad
Stronstad’s next league game will be against Drayton FC then J.T.C Rovers.
