Stroud United Firsts hosted Old Richians at Stratford Court, Stroud #1 on 4th October 2025, with kick-off at 2:30pm in a league fixture. A minutes silence was respectively observed by both teams and their supporters before kick off, after the sudden loss of Big Nath, the day before. The home side, lining up in a 4-2-1-3 formation, were defeated 3-1 after a hard-fought 90 minutes plus injury time.
Stroud United’s formation featured Ollie Osborne-Shill in goal, a back four comprising Jamie Snell at right back, Curt Florek and Malique Cooke as central defenders, and Josh Fisher on the left. In midfield, Ben Abbott and Josh George operated as the two holding central midfielders, with Nathan Green playing just ahead of them in an attacking midfield role. Up front, the trio consisted of Jordan Measures on the right, Marshall Stokes leading the line as striker, and Elliot James on the left. The substitutes named were Jake Gardiner, Jack Liddacot, and Dean Murray.
From the outset, Stroud United’s defence was tested early. Curt Florek cleared a header in the second minute, quickly followed by Malique Cooke also winning a header to repel danger at the fourth. Ben Abbott was alert to clear a threat in the sixth minute, showing early defensive solidity. The home side sought to respond going forward, with Marshall Stokes firing wide in the seventh minute and Jamie Snell’s attempt also drifting wide shortly after.
Curt Florek’s defensive work continued with a crucial tackle in the ninth minute, while Ben Abbott cleared again at the tenth. Jordan Measures forced a save from the visitors’ goalkeeper in the 11th minute, and Nathan Green followed with a shot saved three minutes later. Measures then shot wide again in the 15th minute, indicating Stroud’s early attacking intent.
Josh Fisher made a vital tackle in the 17th minute, but despite these efforts, Old Richians broke the deadlock at the same time, scoring the opening goal to take the lead. Stroud tried to regain control, with Josh George intercepting a pass in the 20th minute and Ben Abbott shooting wide in the 21st. Nathan Green’s high effort in the 24th minute showed his attacking ambition, but the visitors’ defence remained resolute.
The defensive unit was busy throughout the first half. Josh Fisher intercepted in the 25th minute, Jamie Snell cleared under pressure, and Curt Florek was heavily involved with headers and clearances between the 29th and 36th minutes. Malique Cooke also contributed with headers and interceptions, while Ben Abbott and Josh Fisher helped repel aerial threats. Florek’s defensive presence was particularly notable, making multiple clearances and tackles, including a header in the 41st minute and a tackle a minute later.
Jamie Snell and Malique Cooke continued to defend stoutly in the closing stages of the first half, with Snell winning headers at 43 minutes and Cooke intercepting at 44. The half ended with Stroud trailing 1-0.
The second half began with immediate defensive actions from Malique Cooke and Nathan Green, both clearing danger in the 46th minute. Curt Florek attempted a wide shot in the 49th minute before the first substitution saw Jake Gardiner replace Josh Fisher at left back in the 50th minute.
Florek remained a defensive lynchpin, intercepting and heading clearances in the 53rd and 54th minutes. Jamie Snell and Ben Abbott also cleared threats in the 55th minute before Ben Abbott was substituted off for Jack Liddacot in the 56th minute. Gardiner quickly made his presence felt with a clearance in the 57th minute and a block at 60.
Goalkeeper Ollie Osbourne-Shill produced a full-stretch save in the 62nd minute to keep Stroud United in the contest. Shortly after, Jack Liddacot scored an equaliser in the 64th minute, assisted by Elliot James, sparking hope for the home side.
However, Old Richians responded swiftly, restoring their lead in the 67th minute. Defensive efforts continued from Malique Cooke with a header at 65 and Jamie Snell with a header and clearance between 68 and 69 minutes. Florek cleared again at 70 minutes, maintaining defensive pressure.
Dean Murray came on for Marshall Stokes in the 73rd minute, with Josh George clearing danger and Osbourne-Shill catching a shot soon after. Defensive resilience was shown by Cooke and Green with headers and clearances in the mid-70s, while Florek continued to clear and head the ball away in the late 70s.
Jamie Snell was replaced by Josh Fisher in the 79th minute, restoring the original left back to the field. Osbourne-Shill made a crucial dive at the feet of an attacker in the 83rd minute, but despite these efforts, Old Richians sealed the victory with a late goal in the 90th minute.
Nathan Green was named player of the match for his tireless work in the attacking midfield role, contributing both defensively and offensively throughout the game. Despite the loss, Stroud United showed moments of promise but ultimately were undone by a clinical Old Richians side at Stratford Court.
