Wow what can I say about today’s game apart from determination and plenty of heart got us through to the 4th round of the Hampshire Cup for the second time in the clubs history.
The game was touch and go whether it would be played after some heavy rain saw most of the Portsmouth Saturday and Sunday league program effected, but on a large pitch the ground was firm in some places.
Stronstad had the luxury of having 3 attacking players for this game with Brad White and Steve Beech available for this big game that would see if we would have a league game or a cup game on the 4th January.
First Half Action
Stronstad went into the match playing there normal 4-5-1 with Brad White playing on the left wing for his first start since we lost against FC Boca in the league. Adi Card moved to right back with Jorge Morrison-Cooke playing in central defence with Jeff Needham.
The game was a tight affair as both teams took time to settle and both teams were unable to get their rhythm going as wayward passes were being played and it was too much long ball stuff that saw possession wasted on a number of occasions.
The first real chance fell to the home side as a Middlecroft FC player was able to turn his marking on the half way line and as he advanced towards goal his touch was a little hard and Ian Privett raced off his line and managed to clear the danger. This was a warning sign as Middlecroft FC started to get the upper hand on the game but for a rare Stronstad attack James Clarke managed to beat his man and stride towards the Middlecroft FC box but as he got into the area he was in two minds whether to shoot of pass and when he decide he tried to square the ball to Robert Pearson but a defender cut the ball out and put it out for a corner.
Middlecroft FC were taking the game to Stronstad and almost took the lead as a long range effort from a wide area clipped the top of the bar before going over with Ian Privett well beaten.
Stronstad were struggling to get their passing game going and a few players were getting frustrated at the way things were going and Middlecroft FC sensed this and they took the lead. Stronstad conceded a corner and from the resulting corner the ball was swung in and as the ball was only half cleared the ball was fired back in missing a crowd of players before hitting the back of the net to make the score 1-0 to the home side.
Stronstad did not create too much in the first half and only a stinging effort from Brad White which the keeper gathered at the second attempt and a James Clarke close range miss summed up the mood with Stronstad.
Stronstad were looking low on confidence as they were getting over run from the Middlecroft FC as they were getting time on the ball and picking there passes where as Stronstad were panicking and hoofing the ball when they should have been picking their passes and slowing the play down.
It was then soon 2-0 to Middlecroft FC as a quick counter attack caught Stronstad on the back foot and a player from Middlecroft FC beat Jeff Needham on the half way line and beat Ian Privett with a low drive to make the score 2-0. It later emerged that the player that had scored had not scored in a year and was the slowest player on the pitch.
It could have been worse for Stronstad as they nearly gifted another goal to Middlecroft FC after a ball into the Stronstad box was headed back towards his own goal by Jorge Morrison-Cooke that lobbed Ian Privett but Jeff Needham headed off the line and Ian Privett was able to gather the loose ball.
The last chance Stronstad had in the first half was after a corner from Mark Betteridge found the back post where Gareth Spicer rose and headed towards goal but his header hit the post and out for a goal kick.
Half Time :- Middlecroft FC 2 Stronstad Utd 0
Second Half Action
Stronstad had a mountain to climb and with the lack of attacking options Andy Stamp made a tactical change that saw Gareth Spicer coming off after having a running battle with the referee over a decision on the first half coming off and Steve Beech coming on for a 4-4-2 formation.
This change ultimately changed the game, as Stronstad looked dangerous going forward. Early in the second half Middlecroft FC were dealt a blow, as their key defender was injured in a tackle with Rod Robertson that saw him come off and a shacky looking defender coming on in his place.
Stronstad started to up the pressure and really should have pulled a goal back as James Clarke forced his way down the right wing and his pass found Robert Pearson who teed up Steve Beech but he failed to connect with his shot and the keeper easily saved it. With 25 minutes to go the game was turned on its head. James Clarke won a free kick centre of goal 25 yards out and up stepped Robert Pearson who bent an effort into the far corner of the Middlecroft FC net to make the score 2-1.
Stronstad almost conceded straight away as a quick move down the Stronstad right and the ball was played in the centre and from 8 yards out the Middlecroft FC player managed to miss and open goal with the Stronstad defence and Ian Privett no where to be seen.
Stronstad kept going forward and they managed to get a second goal. Stronstad gave a foul away in the Middlecroft FC 6 yard box and from the resulting free kick a poor kick out from the Middlecroft FC keeper was well controlled by Steve Beech and he worked his way into the penalty area before slotting home to turn the game on its head. This was Steve Beech’s second goal of the season and his second in 2 games after re-signing from Saturn Royale.
After this goal there was only going to be one winner and that was Stronstad as they looked more dangerous going forward and this put Middlecroft FC on the back foot with some of their players arguing amongst each other and Stronstad took there advantage of this and scored a 3rd goal and the winner. Stronstad forced a corner and a well-flighted corner from Mark Betteridge was headed home from James Clarke to send Stronstad players into cheers of happiness as they turned a defeat into a win. This goal was a rare headed goal for James Clarke who had run his socks off all day and it was great lift for Stronstad as they continued to drive forward.
The score could have been worse for Middlecroft FC as only a great save from their keeper denied Steve Beech and a deflected Robert Pearson effort hit the post and rebounded to safety
The final chance Middlecroft FC had was Jeff Needham deflected a ball into the Stronstad box and Ian Privett dived on the ball and the game was won.
Full Time: - Middlecroft FC 2 Stronstad Utd 3
