Stroud United Firsts secured a convincing 3-1 victory against Gala Wilton Res at Stratford Court on 30 August 2025, with the match kicking off at 2:30pm. The home side showcased their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation, earning three crucial points in the league.
Stroud United adopted a 4-2-1-3 formation, which allowed them to maintain a strong defensive line while providing ample support for their attacking players. Adam Masson guarded the goal, shielded by a back four comprising Brooke Jenner on the right, Ollie Osbourne-Shill and Jamie Snell in central defence, and Josh Fisher on the left. The midfield was anchored by Nathan Green and Jake Gardiner, who were tasked with both defensive duties and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, Elliot James played as an attacking midfielder, while the front three featured Jordan Measures on the right, Casey Carter as the central striker, and Harvey Masson on the left. The substitutes for Stroud included Chay Jones, Bram Bax-Pratt, and Rene Nistor.
The match began with an early attempt from Casey Carter in the sixth minute, but his effort was saved by the Gala Wilton goalkeeper. Just a minute later, Jordan Measures also tested the keeper, but his shot was similarly denied. However, the home side's persistence paid off in the eighth minute when an unfortunate own goal from a Gala Wilton defender, following a cross from Harvey Masson, put Stroud United ahead.
Stroud continued to press, and in the eleventh minute, Jordan Measures doubled the lead with a spectacular strike from distance, leaving the opposition stunned. The home side's defence, led by Jamie Snell, was resolute, with Snell making crucial headers to clear the danger, particularly in the tenth and fourteenth minutes.
Adam Masson, the Stroud goalkeeper, was called into action in the seventeenth minute, confidently catching a cross to maintain the clean sheet. However, he was tested again shortly after, making a parry to deny a Gala Wilton attempt in the twentieth minute. The visitors struggled to find their rhythm, with Stroud's defence holding firm, and in the thirtieth minute, Masson was forced to parry another shot, showcasing his agility.
As the first half progressed, Stroud continued to create chances, with Casey Carter hitting the crossbar in the thirty-first minute. Despite their dominance, Jordan Measures was flagged offside in the thirty-second minute. The home side maintained their composure, with Jamie Snell making a vital clearance just before half-time, ensuring they went into the break with a 2-0 lead.
The second half began with Elliot James missing an opportunity in the fiftieth minute, firing wide of the target. Shortly after, Jamie Snell received a yellow card for a bad tackle, which earned him a yellow card, that seemed to galvanise the visitors. In the fifty-third minute, Gala Wilton were awarded a penalty, Josh Fisher handball in the box, which they converted, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
Stroud responded quickly, with Elliot James attempting to restore the two-goal cushion, but his shot, heading for the top corner was spectacularly saved. The home side's defence remained vigilant, with Jamie Snell making an interception in the sixtieth minute, followed by Ollie Osbourne-Shill's clearance shortly after. However, Measures was caught offside again in the sixty-first minute, as Stroud looked to regain their attacking momentum.
As the match wore on, Stroud United made tactical substitutions, bringing on Chay Jones for Nathan Green and Bram Bax-Pratt for Ollie Osborne-Shill. Despite the changes, the home side continued to dominate possession, with Measures testing the Gala Wilton goalkeeper once more in the sixty-eighth minute, but to no avail.
Defensively, Jamie Snell was a standout performer, making several key interventions, including an interception in the seventieth minute and headers to clear the ball in the seventy-first and seventy-seventh minutes. Stroud's substitutions proved effective, with Rene Nistor replacing Elliot James in the seventy-second minute, adding fresh legs to the midfield.
In the eighty-fifth minute, Stroud United extended their lead to 3-1 when Harvey Masson scored directly from a corner, assisted by Jake Gardiner. The home side continued to defend resolutely, with Chay Jones and Bram Bax-Pratt making crucial tackles and clearances as the match drew to a close.
As the final whistle approached, Stroud's defence held firm, with Brooke Jenner and Bram Bax-Pratt making vital headers and clearances in the dying moments of the match. Jamie Snell's clearance in the ninety-fourth minute sealed a comprehensive victory for Stroud United, who celebrated a well-deserved three points.
Jordan Measures was undoubtedly the standout player of the match, contributing significantly to the team's attacking efforts and scoring one of the goals that propelled Stroud United to victory.
