In a thrilling friendly encounter at Hamfields Leisure Centre on 31 July 2025, Stroud United Firsts edged past Sharpness Res with a scoreline of 2-1. The match, which kicked off at 6:45pm, showcased a spirited performance from both sides, but it was Stroud who ultimately emerged victorious.
Stroud United adopted a 4-2-1-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking play. Adam Masson donned the gloves as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back four comprising Josh Fisher on the right, Jamie Snell and Sam Counter in central defence, and Jake Gardiner on the left. The midfield was anchored by Nathan Green and Josh George, providing both creativity and stability, while Elliot James operated as an attacking midfielder, looking to link play with the front three. Up front, Harvey Masson and Jordan Measures occupied the right and left forward positions respectively, supporting striker Mike Brennan in the centre.
The substitutes for Stroud included Malique Cooke, Rene Nistor, Josh Fletcher, Marshall Stokes, Ben Abbott, Jack Liddacot, and Lewis Slinn, who would be called upon to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match began with an early chance for Stroud, as Harvey Masson tested the Sharpness goalkeeper with a shot that was saved just three minutes in. Not to be outdone, Josh George followed up with an attempt of his own, but his effort went wide of the target shortly after. Mike Brennan then had a chance to put Stroud ahead in the sixth minute, but his shot was also saved, demonstrating the visitors' attacking intent.
In the seventh minute, Josh George came agonisingly close to scoring, hitting the post with a powerful strike. Adam Masson, the Stroud goalkeeper, was called into action shortly after, making a crucial save to keep the scores level. The defensive unit, led by Jamie Snell and bolstered by Jake Gardiner, was resolute, with Snell making several key interceptions and tackles throughout the half.
Stroud's persistence paid off in the 23rd minute when Elliot James scored directly from a corner kick, with the assist coming from Gardiner. This goal injected confidence into the Stroud side, who continued to press for a second. However, Sharpness fought back, and Adam Masson was forced into action again, making a full stretch save in the 41st minute to preserve the lead going into half-time.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions from Stroud, with Cooke, Liddacot, Nistor, Slinn, Abbott, and Fletcher all introduced to freshen up the side. The changes brought renewed energy, and just thirteen minutes into the half, Lewis Slinn doubled Stroud’s lead, scoring from close range after a well-placed assist from Harvey Masson.
However, Sharpness responded almost immediately, finding the net with a long-range strike in the 63rd minute, narrowing the gap to 2-1. This goal ignited a fierce contest as both teams sought to assert their dominance. Stroud's defence, led by the likes of Malique Cooke and Ben Abbott, held firm against the increasing pressure from Sharpness, with Cooke making crucial blocks and clearances.
As the match approached its final stages, Stroud remained resolute, with Jamie Snell and Abbott making vital defensive contributions to maintain their slender lead. Despite a late flurry of attempts from Sharpness, including a few defensive interventions from Cooke and Snell, Stroud held on for a hard-fought victory.
The match concluded with Stroud United Firsts celebrating their 2-1 win, a testament to their determination and tactical execution. The performance showcased the potential of the squad as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the upcoming season.
Well deserved Man of the match performance from Jordan Measures, showing that he is just as capable in defence as he is in attack.
