Stroud united reserves and Stonehouse Town 3rds play out a draw, with the final score of 0-0 in a friendly match held at Stratford Court, Stroud on 2nd August 2025. The match kicked off at 2:30pm, with a modest attendance of 45 spectators witnessing the action unfold.
Stroud United lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Gary Cook took his position as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back four comprising Tom Fisher and Jason Wright as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Alex White and Ben Brown occupying the central defensive roles. Chay Jones played as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Tom Ticehirst on the right, Jamie Marriott on the left, and Rio Kerr as the central striker, with Tom Florek and Jack Wells supporting from the forward positions. The substitutes for the match included Max Dyer, Ben Mutlow, and Alex Castle.
The match began with an early touch for goalkeeper Gary Cook, who confidently caught the ball within the first minute, setting the tone for a solid performance. Stroud United quickly asserted their dominance, with Rio Kerr testing the Stonehouse defence just three minutes in, but his attempt was saved. Chay Jones showcased his defensive prowess with a header to clear the danger in the fifth minute, followed closely by Alex White, who also made a crucial header to maintain the clean sheet.
Stroud continued to press, with Tom Florek attempting a shot in the 12th minute that went wide of the target. Ben Brown's interception in the 13th minute highlighted the team's defensive discipline, while Jack Wells had a chance in the 16th minute, only to see his effort drift wide. Jason Wright made a vital interception in the 22nd minute, ensuring that Stonehouse Town struggled to find their rhythm.
As the match progressed, Rio Kerr had another opportunity in the 22nd minute, but his shot was too high. Tom Fisher was instrumental in defence, blocking an attempt in the 23rd minute, followed by Ben Brown's clearance just a minute later. Fisher's defensive contributions continued as he made a series of tackles, demonstrating his commitment to the cause.
The first half saw a few offside calls against Tom Florek and Tom Ticehirst, indicating Stroud's attacking intent, but they were unable to convert their chances into goals. Jason Wright's foul in the 29th minute was a rare lapse in discipline, but it did not lead to any significant threat from Stonehouse.
As the half drew to a close, Gary Cook made another catch in the 38th minute, while Rio Kerr's shot in the same minute went wide. Tom Florek's high attempt in the 40th minute concluded a first half where Stroud United dominated possession but failed to find the back of the net.
The second half commenced with Stroud making three substitutions, bringing on Alex Castle, Ben Mutlow, and Max Dyer, which injected fresh energy into the team. Jack Wells had an early chance saved in the 49th minute, while Jason Wright continued to impress defensively with a tackle in the 52nd minute.
Alex Castle made an immediate impact with a shot saved in the 52nd minute, followed by Tom Ticehirst's attempt that went wide. Jamie Marriott also tried his luck in the 57th minute, but his shot was off target. The match saw Rio Kerr flagged offside in the 59th minute, as Stroud's attacking efforts remained relentless.
Chay Jones made a crucial tackle in the 60th minute, while Jack Wells and Ben Mutlow contributed defensively with blocks and headers, respectively. Stroud's persistence was evident as they continued to create chances, with Jason Wright's wide attempt in the 66th minute and Rio Kerr's shot saved shortly after.
As the match neared its conclusion, substitutions were made again, with Ben Brown replacing Rio Kerr and Tom Florek coming on for Jack Wells. The final minutes saw Ben Mutlow and Max Dyer making key defensive contributions, with Dyer's interception in the 89th minute ensuring that Stroud maintained their clean sheet.
Despite the lack of goals, Stroud United Res showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity throughout the match, with Alex Castle earning the Player of the Match accolade for his impactful performance. The friendly served as a promising start to the season for Stroud United, who will look to build on this performance in their upcoming fixtures.
