Drayton FC vs Stronstad Utd (10th October 2010) League
Match Facts
· This is the first league meeting between these two teams. Stronstad have played Drayton FC in two friendlies with a win and a defeat for Stronstad.
· Stronstad missed the chance to go top of the league after drawing against White House FC last week 1-1 while Drayton FC booked their places in the second round of the Hampshire Cup with a 4-3 win against Manor House.
· A win for Stronstad and results going for the Maroons could see Stronstad going top of the league.
· Stronstad are currently 3 for 3 while playing at Farlington with victories against Lord Chichester, White House and Icomm FC.
First half action from Farlington Marshes
The birds were singing and the fresh smell of beer filled the changing room as Stronstad looked to bounce back from the disappointment of the 1-1 draw against White House FC with a victory against Andy Stamp’s cousins team Drayton FC. With Stronstad missing some players it was a make shift side that took to the field on this fine Sunday morning looking for some bounce-back-ability and they were given the perfect start. Stronstad won a free near the touch line after Dan Moore was fouled and from about 35 yards Paul McKay bent the ball towards goal which eluded everyone and found the far corner of the Drayton FC net to make the score 1-0 with only 1 minute on the clock. This goal should have lifted Stronstad but it was the 10 men of Drayton who were asking questions of Stronstad and they should have been level on more than one occasion and if they had a better striker, Stronstad could have easily been 2-1 down after 10 minutes.
When Stronstad did settle again they themselves had some good chances to score with the Drayton FC keeper making a good saves from Roger Campbell and the returning Nick Crocker heading inches over from a Dan Moore cross as Stronstad looked to extend the lead.
The pink sock award winner from last week Steve Beech was looking to lose the socks next week but he did not help his cause as an attack from Stronstad saw the ball fall to Steve Beech who was 5 yards out and with only the goalkeeper to beat he managed to find the pitch behind the goal and another chance went begging. 2 minutes later Steve Beech made up for that shocking miss by getting the all important second goal. A long ball over the top of the Drayton FC defence saw Steve Beech left 1-on-1 with the Drayton FC goalkeeper and this time he managed to bury the shot to make the score 2-0.
This goal lifted Stronstad and Steve Beech and it was not long before it was 3-0. Paul McKay had the ball and he advanced then floated a delightful ball to the far post where Steve Beech headed towards goal which hit the bar, then the keeper and into the back of the net to make the score 3-0 and give Beech his 4th goal of the season.
Half Time:- Drayton FC 0 Stronstad Utd 3
Stronstad were forced into a change as Luke Roystone got injured in a heavy tackle with a Drayton FC player and was forced off and this brought Gary Cowell into the action as Stronstad looked to build on their 3-0 lead in the second half.
In theory the game should have been over but it was Drayton FC who again was asking questions of Stronstad and only some timely tackles from Gareth Spicer, Jeff Needham and Jon Way halted any attack as Stronstad were still coming out for the second half. At the other end Stronstad was still looking dangerous going forward but some poor crossing meant Stronstad failed to add to their score. Back at the other end Ian Privett made an outstanding double save as Drayton looked to get back into the game.
After Ian Privett had made a fantastic double save then came the howler of the season. Drayton FC had rarely tested Ian Privett but a speculative long shot was parried up in the air by Ian Privett and over the line to give Drayton FC an unlikely goal. This was a howler with some players calling for Ian Privett to wear the pink socks of shame next week. Manager Adny Stamp then made two changes with Jon Way coming off to be replaced by the Roberto Carlos of Stronstad Rich Gillam and Robert Pearson coming on to replace the injured Dan Moore who was given some rough justice from the Drayton FC number 2 all game.
With time running out Stronstad had two excellent chances to extend the lead. First a brilliant tackle from Rod Robertson saw him rob the Drayton FC defender before striding into the penalty area and his cross was controlled by Robert Pearson and he skilfully tricked the keeper leaving him on his arse and unselfishly he laid the ball back to Rod Robertson who tucked the ball home but the referee blew his whistle for offside. Some people said that Robert should have shot while others said he made the right option. I think I chose the right option.
The final chance came as a through ball released Steve Beech who again was 1-on-1 with the Drayton FC keeper and yet again he failed to hit the target which if he had scored would have been his hat trick but it did not matter as the 3 points were already sealed and the full time whistle went.
Full Time:- Drayton FC 1 Stronstad Utd 3
Next Up:-
Stronstad Utd vs J.T.C Rovers @ Farlington Marshes
