Stronstad battled back from 3-1 down to snatch a share of the points today on a hot afternoon in Portmsouth.
Stronstad did not get off to the best start as the Wightlink winger beat Rich Gillam and then advanced forward before turning a covering defender before curling a delightful shot into the top corner with Ian Privett well and truly beaten to make the score 1-0.
This early goal rattled Stronstad and it was Wightlink that looked more likely to extend the lead rather than Stronstad get back into the game as the two Wightlink strikers were causing panic amongst the Stronstad back four.
Wightlink then extend their lead in the match with a well-taken goal as Stronstad failed to clear the Wightlink attack which saw the ball reason the Wightlink striker who placed the ball past Ian Privett and into the net to send Wightlink sailing into a two-goal lead.
Stronstad’s best chance to get back into the game fell to Gareth Spicer after some good work between Gary Cowell and James Clarke created room for the cross, which found Gareth Spicer, but his goal bound effort was acrobatically cleared of the line by the Wightlink defender.
To their credit Stronstad battled away and forced a series of corners and it was from one of these corners that Stronstad pulled level. Dan Moore delivered a great ball to the back post where Jorge Morrison-Cooke powered a header home from close range to make the score 2-1 and give Jorge Morrison-Cooke his second goal of the season.
From set plays Stronstad looked dangerous and they should have drawn level from another corner. The ball was played to the far post where Jorge Morrison-Cooke rose again but his powerful header drifted wide of the post when it should have been resting in the back of the net.
Stronstad were made to pay for this miss as a silly mix up at the back saw the Wightlink player keep the ball in before squaring the ball to the unmarked striker to slot home from close range to make the score 3-1.
But straight from kick off Stronstad pulled level again. A great first touch and lay off from Dan Moore saw Rod Robertson play a killer through ball from the half way line that saw Dan Moore out sprint the defender before firing a powerful shot into the back of the net.
At the other end Ian Privett had to be alert to a quickly taken free kick from around 25 yards that could have easily gone in.
Towards the end of the first half Adi Card thought he had beaten the offside trap but was denied by a very late flag as he ran clear from the half way line
Half Time: - Wightlink FC 3 Stronstad Utd 2
The game was becoming a scrappy affair with both teams give procession away cheaply but neither team testing each other out.
Stronstad had there chances to pull level but failed to convert their chances with first Steve Beech seeing his low drive saved by the feet of the Wightlink keeper and then another chance fell to Steve Beech but his lob drifted past the Wightlink goal.
Andy Stamp made a change with Gareth Spicer who was involved in a run in with some of the Wightlink players being replaced by last season top goal scorer Robert Pearson and it was Robert Pearson who nearly set up the equalising goal as a long throw went right across the 6 yard box and was inches away from James Clarke who was coming in at the back post.
The change of formation from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 saw Stronstad putting the Wightlink defence on the back foot and it was Robert Pearson who came close to scoring as a great cross from Steve Beech to the back post saw Robert Pearson’s header well saved by the Wightlink keeper.
Robert Pearson had another site of goal as a long punt down field saw Robert Pearson out muscle the Wightlink defender but saw his shot saved by the Wightlink defender
Stronstad were looking most likely to score and they did with 10 minutes to go. Dan Moore took an in swinging corner, which saw Steve Beech rise and head home to the delight of the Stronstad team for his first of the season.
Just before full time Stronstad could and maybe should have won the game. Robert Pearson again beat his marker and advanced to the Wightlink penalty area but the Wightlink goalkeeper intercepted his pass, which was intended for Rod Robertson, and that was the last chance of the game.
Full Time:- Wightlink 3 Stronstad Utd 3
